Northampton charity Baby basics on brink of securing bigger premises after ‘people’s generosity’

The location of the new building has not yet been announced, but the charity is hoping to make the move by the end of February
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A Northampton charity that helps new parents with essentials for their baby is on the brink of moving to a new premises.

Baby Basics, which supplies baskets of clothes, blankets, nappies, and more to parents, is currently located in Wilks Walk in Grange Park.

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But after a successful year and the support the money from Northamptonshire Community Foundation's tampon tax fund provided, the charity is in need of a bigger home.

The Baby Basics team passed their 1000-basket milestone at the end of last year and now they are looking for a bigger home.The Baby Basics team passed their 1000-basket milestone at the end of last year and now they are looking for a bigger home.
The Baby Basics team passed their 1000-basket milestone at the end of last year and now they are looking for a bigger home.

Michaela Carey-Slater, communications and grants lead at Baby Basics, said: “We are discussing contracts (for a new premises) at the moment because we are completely chock-a-block.

“Our cupboards are overflowing - it’s people’s generosity.

“We’re moving to expand. It’s not sustainable where we are at the moment.

“We’re at Grange Park and it’s brilliant but we’re only here twice a week and we have to move our stuff in and out.

The charity is on the lookout for regular donations of items that they fill baskets with.The charity is on the lookout for regular donations of items that they fill baskets with.
The charity is on the lookout for regular donations of items that they fill baskets with.
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“We spend six hours a week moving things out and putting them all back again.

“It’s been really hard physically.

“The new one will be ours and we can leave stuff and go in when we need to. It will be easier.”

The charity is tight-lipped about where they will be based once the move is complete, but Michaela says an announcement will be made as soon as possible.

She added: “The new premises isn’t on Grange Park, but it’s within Northampton.

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“It’s not too far and we’ll still have drop off sessions in Grange Park.

“We’ve checked with our volunteers and they’re all able to get there (to the new premises).

“We’re hoping to move by the end of next month.”

Baby Basics is hoping the move will help the charity expand its services and its reach across Northamptonshire.

Michaela said: “We want to link with other areas in the county. We want mums to know about us there too. We want more people not to struggle.

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“A lot of our work comes from Northampton but we do have links to Kettering General Hospital, but we want more agencies to use us too and to expand to other parts of the county.”

With the move and the expansion, the charity is on the lookout for more helping hands, especially after the successful and busy year they have had.

Michaela added: “We’ve really seen a growth in terms of donations over the last year. People have been incredibly generous.

“The number of referrals from professionals is growing and we’re getting more links to agencies.

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“And the tampon tax fund we received was such a nice chunk of money. The £10,000 really supported us.

“Financially the new premises is a big step for us so we also need to keep fund-raising.

“And we need more regular donors as we only have a handful at the moment.

“We have 13 volunteers. They’re fantastic and they’re always here. We would not be where we are without the volunteers, but we’re always open to more volunteers.