About Us
It began in April 2022 with 2 volunteers now with growth has six.
The volunteer-based charity provides much-needed essentials and equipment for free to families who are struggling to meet the financial and practical needs of looking after a new baby.
Currently Baby Basics Plymouth has supported many families through referrals from Health care professionals and other local charities providing everything from Moses baskets starter kits, bath’s , prams toiletries.
Joan is amazed how Baby Basics has grown in the last 3 years with referrals increasing,but we are also glad that we can support families,with a good start for their new baby.
“I’m proud of our journey and the volunteers, we couldn’t do it without their dedication”. Joan.
Baby Basics Plymouth is part of St Peter and the Holy Apostle Church based in Wyndham Square Stonehouse Plymouth.
Meet the Team
We are a small group of volunteers from the Plymouth area. Usually meeting on Wednesday mornings to pack referrals- with some occasional ad-hoc packing as required during the week. There is a team of 6 who coordinate (among other commitments!) to facilitate Baby Basics Plymouth.
We think everyone deserves an equal chance to thrive, that everyone needs love and support, and that community and generosity are so powerful. Baby Basics gives families support, encouragement and the feeling of not being alone. The provisions can help make this time a bit easier, brighter and allow for dignity in potentially a difficult situation.
We are all passionate that no baby goes without and love to pack each referral to a high standard so that it can be a joyful gift!
Get Help
We work by professional referral only
We support families with children from pre-birth to age 6 months.
Families
If you live in Plymouth, are pregnant, or have a newborn baby, or baby aged 0-6 months, and need help with items for your family then we may be able to help.
Please talk to your midwife, health visitor, social care professional or other family worker supporting you, talk to them about the items you need help with. They will then be able to make a referral to us on your behalf.
We do not accept self or family referrals.
Make a Referral
If you are a professional wishing to make a referral to us then please download our referral form below
- Please email all completed forms to babybasicsplymouth@gmail.com
- Please complete one referral form per family
- Please ensure that you are using a new blank form each time and clearly specify the items that are required in the ‘Items that are needed’ box. There is a clear list of the packs we can offer underneath the referral form, to help guide you so you know exactly what to request, and to avoid us giving out items that aren’t needed. If only a specific list of items are needed then,please feel free to pick these out and list them in the box.
We aim to prepare items as quickly as possible, and always work through our referrals in due date order. We aim to have the items ready at least 4 weeks before a baby is due, to give the family time to prepare ahead of baby’s arrival. In many cases we’re able to provide items much sooner than this. We always do our best to get the packs to the family as soon as we can. If a referral has come in for an emergency pack, or for a baby already born, then we will always prioritise these referrals and prepare then as quickly as possible.
If items are needed for a specific time then please do make us aware of this when you make the referral and we will always do our best to arrange items to these dates.
The quickest way to submit a referral is by completing our referral form and emailing it to us. We aim to respond to all referrals requests within 48 hours.
We will make contact with you once we have prepared the items, to let you know that they are ready to collect. It is really important that you are able to collect the items from us, at Wyndham Square, Stonehouse, Plymouth PL1 5EG or you are able to make arrangements with a colleague to collect on your behalf. We do not allow families to collect their own items. Failure to communicate with us about collection times may result in us cancelling the referral.
There is no limit to the number of times a family can be referred to us if you assess that they still need support. We can help with additional toiletries or the next size clothing if we have it available.
If there are specific items that a family require, and they aren’t listed on our referral form, please ask as we sometimes have extra items available.
If there is any additional information that you feel we should be aware of when preparing items for a family, please add this to the additional information box at the bottom of the form.
Telephone referral
If you would like to call us to discuss a referral our telephone number is 07598214530
Please note that we may not always be available to take your call, so please do leave us a voicemail, ensuring you leave your phone number, and we will call you back as soon as possible.
Give Help
Donating secondhand items
We love giving out high quality preloved items as know they can continue to be enjoyed by the next owners. We ask that items donated are from our list or a specific request as our storage is limited. Please only donate clean, stain free, good quality items that are from smoke-free homes so they can be given out. Items may be passed on if not suitable or if our storage is full.
We ask that all items are washed and if possible sorted into sizes/categories in clearly labelled bags before being brought to us to speed up our processing. All Moses baskets have to be given out with a new mattress as standard so please dispose of yours before donating a basket (unless is new in packaging) .
Donating equipment
While we do not accept large equipment or furniture at Baby Basics Plymouth, we do take several pieces of equipment for our starter packs. Moses baskets, baby baths, microwave and cold water sterilisers are among the items we can accept.
Donating new items
kYou can donate in the following ways:
- Buy and drop items to us (see address above)
- Buy online and have them delivered to us (see address above)
New items we can accept:
- Baby and children’s toiletries (shampoo, baby wash, lotions, wipes)
- Nappies (size 1-6, but we mostly need size 1)
- Adults’ toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, new hairbrushes, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, maternity pads, breast pads)
You can purchase items and support us through our Amazon wishlist here
Donating financially
Regular or one-off
To donate via BACS please contact babybasicsplymouth@gmail.com for details.
Baby Basics Plymouth sits under the charity St Peters & The Holy Apostles Church, and therefore all monetary donations made have to go through this charity. We always ask that a reference of Baby Basics is used. Please be assured that any funds donated specifically for Baby Basics Plymouth are allocated to our specific account and are only used for the work of Baby Basics Plymouth.
How can you get involved?
We are always looking for people to get involved with volunteering, helping to fundraise or with Social Media. Contact us via email if you think you would like to help in any way