Southery baby bank makes neonatal donation for King's Lynn hospital

The Southery Baby Bank, started last November, made a vital donation to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Lynn’s neonatal unit on Wednesday.

The group was set up by Carolyn Allsebrook and Amy Pepper, two mums from Southery and they related to the struggle of trying to provide everything for babies, especially during times of crisis such as the pandemic.

With so many families on furlough or Universal Credit, this initiative hopes to provide new parents with all the essentials.

The founders said on their social media: “We are a small group that is run solely by volunteers that are wanting to help people in need!

“When it comes to babies and children we know they can be expensive so please don’t hesitate to ask.”

They take donations from the local community and donate it to families via social services, homeless charities and anyone that approaches them seeking assistance.

This week was their first donation to the NCIU unit at the QEH where they delivered two Moses baskets filled with essentials such as clothes and nappies.

They hope to make more donations to the unit as time goes on and also provide maternity essentials for pregnant women and new mums.

Even items such as beds, maternity clothing and sterilizers have been kindly given to the group by the public.

They accept clothing aged 0-5 years, prams, changing mats and more, which get advertised on their Facebook page; which can be found by searching Southery Baby Bank.

Alternatively they can be reached via email at: southerybb@outlook.com or by phone on : 07827599630

Perinatal and postnatal support has been in sharp decline for the last few years and took a nosedive during the pandemic.

This is backed by the NSPCC.

Andrew Fellowes, Public Affairs Manager at the NSPCC said:

“Without the right support, perinatal mental health problems, and difficulties in the parent-infant relationship can have serious immediate and long-term consequences for both children and families.

“Before the pandemic began the health visiting service was struggling to support parents and babies across the country, and we know it is not equipped to meet the challenge of the Coronavirus pandemic.”

Organisations such as Amy and Carolyn’s are bridging the gaps in the health system to ensure that as many mothers in the local area can benefit after they give birth and during their pregnancy which will alleviate the financial strain typical to new parents.

Items like beds, cots and pushchairs can be incredibly expensive and in the current economic climate that just isn’t viable for some families.