Moray Baby Bank at ready to help more families
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MORAY Baby Bank volunteers have showcased their work to assist local families and its new referral link-up with NHS Grampian.
The charity, established in January, donates vital baby equipment and items to families by working with local agencies, including Moray Women's Aid, Step by Step and social workers.
Moray Conservative MP Douglas Ross has worked with the charity to overcome issues with its referral form. NHS Grampian health visitors and midwives will now be able to refer people who might benefit from being offered items.
Mr Ross visited the charity's new base at the old Urquhart Store and Post Office last week. Mr Ross said: "It was good to see the hard work that is being done from the charity’s base in Urquhart and how well supported they have been by the generous donations from local people."
Ian Sutherland, one of the founders of Moray Baby Bank, said: "We are very grateful to Douglas for pressing our case with NHS Grampian.
"As a result of his intervention, we have been able to address all their issues with our referral form. NHS Grampian are now fully on board with the Moray Baby Bank and we look forward to receiving many referrals from Moray health visitors and midwives to help those parents and guardians in need of our service."
Mr Ross said: "I’m really pleased that I was able to offer assistance and that NHS Grampian will now be able to work with the baby bank going forward to deliver this important service.
"It was also a good opportunity for me to be able to hand over some clothes that our baby son, Alistair, has outgrown already. He has grown so quickly and so I know just how hard it is keeping up with the needs of a newborn. This has really brought it home to me just how vital the work that is done here is."
Mr Sutherland's wife, Susan, felt moved to set up the group after a TV programme, called Living on the Breadline, triggered memories of the hardship she faced as a new mum 31 years ago. The programme featured a baby bank set up in Glasgow.
Mrs Sutherland mobilised family and friends to get a Moray group going. Six months in and the charity has six volunteers and receives referrals or requests every day.
She said: "People shouldn't have to struggle to provide basics for their babies."
Mrs Sutherland said the charity would like to reach out to local nurseries and already worked with the Lossie 2-3 group.
Also at the visit last week were local businessman George Nicol, of George Nicol Kitchens and Bathrooms, Keith, and Norman Brymer, from Symphony Kitchens, who helped out by providing and fitting kitchen units at the base.
Moray Baby Bank would welcome donations of baby equipment and clothing. In particular the group is on the lookout for 12 months to two years sized clothing. Toiletries, nappies, unopened formula milk and feeding equipment are always required. The only items the charity cannot accept are baby car seats and mattresses.
The group can be emailed at moraybabybank@gmail.com.
