**Tippy Toes Baby Bank Faces Increased Demand**
In a worrying trend, Tippy Toes, a baby bank charity located in Lostock Hall near Preston, Lancashire, is struggling to keep up with the growing demand for its services. This charity is dedicated to assisting financially struggling parents of young children by providing essential items needed for family life. With the rising cost of living, more families are turning to Tippy Toes for help, leading to a mismatch between the need for assistance and the charity’s ability to supply it.
The charity describes itself as “a food bank with baby items,” servicing families with children ranging from birth to four years old. They offer a variety of crucial goods, such as prams, nappies, and baby formula, aiming to ease the financial burden on parents who may be under extreme stress due to economic pressures. Sian Haddon, the manager of Tippy Toes, has reported a continuous influx of referrals, indicating a significant increase in the number of families requiring aid. She expressed concern, stating that the “demand on our service unfortunately is more than we can meet,” highlighting the challenging situation they currently face.
In her statements to BBC Radio Lancashire, Haddon mentioned the critical reliance of Tippy Toes on community donations, where individuals donate gently used baby items or purchase essential supplies like formula and nappies. Unfortunately, even with the community’s generous contributions, the charity is unable to fulfill the increasing requests for assistance. With summer approaching, many families must also contend with additional expenses, such as school uniforms for older siblings, putting immense pressure on their finances. Haddon pointed out that the cost of living has risen dramatically and that the addition of a £15 tin of formula has become unaffordable for many families.
Haddon noted that Tippy Toes does not only support families in immediate need but also assists expectant parents who may be struggling economically. For these parents, Tippy Toes offers a comprehensive “full kit,” which includes vital items such as a pram, a Moses basket with a new mattress, toiletries, and a bundle of clothes. The service aims to provide a complete setup for families preparing for the arrival of a newborn.
The charity’s headquarters is situated at the South Ribble Family Wellbeing Centre on Wilkinson Street and was founded in 2019. Haddon lamented the intense competition among various charities for funding, which renders it increasingly difficult for Tippy Toes to maintain adequate supplies. “There’s so many charities trying to get funding, so there’s a lot of competition to get money and our shelves are empty week on week,” she explained, painting a rather bleak picture of the charity’s ongoing struggle.
As a part of its outreach efforts, Tippy Toes is not just focused on collecting goods but also on building community awareness around the challenges faced by families with young children. By sharing their story and experiences, the charity aims to highlight the issues of child poverty and the critical need for resources and support. They are calling on local communities to continue their support and possibly think about donating both time and goods to the cause, which plays a pivotal role in maintaining the well-being of countless families.
Overall, the story of Tippy Toes underscores a troubling broader issue—many families are feeling the financial strain in a climate where basic necessities are becoming increasingly difficult to afford. With organizations like Tippy Toes stepping in to fill the gaps, there remains a pressing need for continued community support and awareness to ensure that no parent is left without the essential supplies their children need for healthy development. The situation at Tippy Toes is a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by families in today’s economic climate and the crucial role of community-based support systems.