Marisha was seven months pregnant when her relationship broke down. She was about to be a single, first-time mum and she was scared.
That was until her community midwife referred her to a local baby bank, which provides families with essentials like clothes, shoes, toys and baby equipment. They also empower parents, predominantly mums, with the support they need to thrive.
“I was heavily pregnant, so I got a home delivery,” Marisha, 32, says. “It felt like Christmas had come early. There were toys, books and a breastfeeding pillow. There were things I didn’t even know I needed as a first-time mum.”
There are more than 200 baby banks in the UK, all of which have seen rising demand in the cost of living crisis.
Little Village, which runs a baby bank network in London,
