2022-04-04-accounts

For the period 1[st] April 2021 till 31[st] March 2022

of THE OXFORD BABY BANK

REGISTERED CHARITY NO:1190257

COWLEY ROAD METHODIST CHURCH , COWLEY ROAD OXFORD OX4 1BN

Charity trustees who have managed the charity for this period:

Dr Emily MacKeith General Practitioner CHAIR AND ORGANISATION OF DONATION DAYS 8 Highfield Avenue Headington Oxford OX3 7LR [e-mail]

Caroline Barry Consultant Clinical Psychologist SECRETARY AND FUND RAISING

7 Northmoor Road Oxford OX2 6UW [e-mail]

Suzanne Lingard Retiired Senior Social Worker PROFESSIONAL LIAISON AND PROCUREMENT

27 Witney Road Eynsham OXON OX29 4PH [e-mail]

Emma Poynton Retired Teacher TREASURER AND PROCUREMENT 48 Quarry Road Headington Oxford OX3 8NX

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[e-mail]

MISSION STATEMENT

The objective of the Oxford Baby Bank is to help to alleviate poverty amongst families who are struggling to cope with the cost of raising babies and toddlers. The service we provide is available to residents of Oxford and surrounding villages and small towns, including Witney, Abingdon and Wallingford. A secondary object is to promote waste reduction, as the vast majority of what we give away is recycled. We do provide new mattresses, nappies and other consumables which we purchase to give away, but the bulk of the clothing and equipment that we give to families who need it has been collected.

We aim to achieve our objective by collecting clothing and equipment from families who have finished with it and distributing it free of charge to women who are in substantial need of material help in caring for their babies and toddlers. These resources are stored at our

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base, so that we are in a position to supply responsively and in emergencies. Recipients are referred by community midwives, health visitors, social workers, GPs, women’s refuges, charities etc. In this way, we identify those in need of support. Following a referral, we invite the referrer to come to the baby bank to pick up what is required.

It is well recognised that the future mental health of an adult has its foundations in the very earliest experiences of life. In our small way, we hope to reduce stress levels in women coping with adverse circumstances, so that they have a better chance of creating a soothing and secure environment for their babies and

toddlers.

We are also motivated to help front-line staff in carrying out their work, which is inevitably stressful when working with families in need. We hope to provide quick responses to circumstances where there is a practical requirement and have been able to facilitate discharge from hospital the same day, as we have stored and free resources.

COLLECTIONS

This past year we have moved to a different model of collection for the donated goods that form the vast majority of items that we give away. Instead of collecting at schools, nurseries etc we now have 3 donation Saturday mornings during the year when people are invited to bring their donations to the baby bank. This means that anyone city–wide can give and it is more efficient from the point of view of the trustees. The donation mornings are publicised on social media, our website and through schools. We are grateful to the families of Oxford for

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their generosity. We have also been inviting potential donors to drop off on a Wednesday morning when we are at the baby bank. This has been a useful source of equipment.

We continue to be supplied by the knitters of Shared Knitting who make us beautiful blankets and cardigans and Laura Mayo who also keeps us stocked.

STORAGE

We are generously supported by the committee who run the Cowley Road Methodist Church, especially Dorothy Stepney and Beverley Clack. We rent a large storage room in the church, which is well located in the centre of town for both pick-ups and deliveries. We are bursting at the seams, but we have taken the decision not to go out to find a bigger space, as it is easy to pay out more in rent and to be doing so in order to keep stagnant stock. This means that our stock control and replenishment need to be dynamic and nimble.

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PUBLICITY

News of our activities seems to be going round professional groups by word of mouth. We have not really needed to carry out more information dissemination. Periodically we do send a wall poster to the midwifery hubs because their frequent rotations mean that people are newly picking up the community reins.

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STRUCTURE
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The Oxford Baby Bank is governed by a constitution. New trustees are appointed by the committee of trustees. The current committee of trustees will be in place for the next two years.

The trustees run the Baby Bank on a day to day basis as volunteers. Sometimes, they are joined on appointment days and collection days by other volunteers, who lend a practical hand. All trustees are DBS checked and other volunteers are always teamed up with them.

HOW THE GOODS ARE DELIVERED

Over the past couple of years, experience has taught us that although we have been happy to invite mothers to the baby bank to pick up their items, the majority do not turn up. Many are newly arrived in Oxford and disoriented, pregnant or unwell or have other small children. As a result, we have started asking professionals who refer to us to pick up as a matter of course. This is working very efficiently. Sometimes, they will bring the client ( this is most likely in the case of professionals working with individuals with mental health issues or care leavers), but the vast majority of goods are picked up by the referrer. This is useful to the referrer in terms of relationship building and to ensure that advice can be followed (eg that babies should not be co-sharing a bed). The exception to this is that we do drop off for most of the midwifery referrals, owing to the very stretched nature of their service at present. We will also drop off for urgent health visitor referrals.

We try to respond flexibly in situations where clothing and equipment is required in an emergency.

ACHIEVEMENTS

We pride ourselves on offering only high quality items to our

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recipients. We are also concerned about safety and hygiene, so at this stage of our development, we buy new mattresses, pillows, bedding, changing mats, stair gates and underwear. We have started buying coats also, as we feel we must always be able to provide a winter coat. Our grant givers have been generous and we have been able to use the resources they give us to respond in a well targeted fashion.

During the financial year 2021-2022, we have helped 179 families. We are aiming to be operating at around 200 families per year. Some families are receiving relatively modest packages of stuff valued at around £300 (if bought new), but for many this comes closer to £800.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Over the past year we have been grateful to the following for financial help:

• The Battcock Family Trust

• The Ffeoffees of St Michael’s and All Saints

• The Doris Field Charitable Trust

• Waitrose Green token scheme, both Headington and Botley Road

• The trustees of the Pye Charitable Settlement

• The City of Oxford Charity

Our financial status is healthy.

HOW EXPENDITURE HAS SUPPORTED THE KEY OBJECTIVES OF THE CHARITY

Our main expenditure is on rent for our base at the Methodist Church in the Cowley Road. We have also had to equip this space with storage systems. In order to maximise the value of items that we store, we have decided to cease giving away consumables. Nappies are very bulky and the space formerly taken up by them is now occupied by clothing, which we now supply up to the age of 5 years. This was a difficult decision, but one pack

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of nappies does not solve anyone’s problems, whereas completely clothing a child has a significant impact. As we are unable to store clothing for older children, we will, on occasion, use our funds to buy clothing for a particular older child in extenuating circumstances.

As stated above, we do now buy some important items new. We are looking for a children’s goods wholesaler who would allow us to source all our equipment needs from them at better prices than we are achieving at present (although we are very careful where we shop). This may include budget buggies and Moses baskets, should we run the risk of running out. We remain principally a recycling organisation, but we consider that there are basics that we should always have in stock. However, it has to be said that at the time of writing (October 2022) the supply of good quality donated equipment is reducing and we think that this is because many people are selling on their items for much needed cash. We anticipate needing to buy a lot of buggies this coming winter.

FEEDBACK

Most referrers who come to pick up are impressed with what we can offer.

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The following is a selection of comments received by us from our referrers:

‘Thanks for this morning. Mum was over the moon with everything’. LW Homestart

‘All the ISIS midwives are so grateful for what you do’ NH

‘Thank you for all your hard work and supporting us and all our families. It truly makes a difference’ Christmas card from the South Parade Health Visiting Team

‘I just wanted to let you know that I was doing a follow-up call with Mr M and he said how pleased and grateful they were for the baby clothing they received and noted that they were of really good quality. He said it had made a big difference to his family’ Local councillor.

‘I just wanted to say thank you for being so hospitable today. You have been incredibly generous, not only in practical items but also in time and of self. I understand why it is such a successful charity. Long may it continue! C was absolutely ecstatic when she got home to her mum’. RW mental health support worker

‘It was so lovely to meet you and I’m so grateful for the help you gave me’. CP

DECLARATION:

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The trustees of the Oxford Baby Bank declare this to be a full, transparent and accurate account of our first year’s activities.

Signatories:

Emily MacKeith

Caroline Barry

Emma Poynton

Suzanne Lingard

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Oxford Baby Bank: Accounting period 6 April 2021 - 5 April 2022

INCOME
Date		Type	Person or Group	Paid In	Balance
	02-Jul-21	CR	J A PYE SETTMT YY DONATION PYE	1000	5142.3
	09-Aug-21	CR	CHQ IN AT 403534 Waitrose Community Fund	333	4969.66
	13-Sep-21	CR	THE CITY OF LTD OXF CITY CHARITY	1000	5201.2
	17-Sep-21	VIS	WWW.JOHNLEWIS.COM 03456 049 049 REFUND	48	5185.7
	05-Nov-21	VIS	ARGOS LTD INTERNET	69	4405.11
	11-Nov-21	CR	CAF21110899258CF	6000
	15-Nov-21	CR	CHQ IN AT 403534 Waitrose Community Fund	333	10225.72
	23-Nov-21	CR	CHQ IN AT 403534 Doris Field Charitable Trust	500	10725.72
	16-Mar-22	CR	ST MICHAELS CHUR ST MICHAELS GRANT	1200	9662.78
	21-Mar-22	VIS	eBay O*10-08405-50 LONDON	1.29	refund
	31-Mar-22	CR	J A PYE SETTMT YY DONATION PYE	3000	12294.94
			TOTAL	13484.29

TOTALS
INCOME in period	13484
EXPENDITURE in period	6593
BALANCE	6891.3
BALANCE AS AT 6 APR 2021	5403.7
BALANCE AS AT 5 APR 2022	12295

EXPENSES
DATE METHOD SUPPLIER PRODUCT AMOUNT	BALANCE
06-Apr-21 VIS SARTEXQUILT 01706357490 Bedding 83.85 06-Apr-21 VIS SP * NORTHLIGHT HO DIDCOT Matresses 42.39 12-Apr-21 SO COWLEY METHODIST OXFORD BABY BANK Rent 250 12-Apr-21 VIS BIGDUG LIMITED GLOUCESTER Shelving 244.8 12-May-21 SO COWLEY METHODIST OXFORD BABY BANK Rent 250 25-May-21 VIS IKEA LTD 185 MILTO BLETCHLEY Bedding, high chairs 55 01-Jun-21 VIS ALDI STORES 775-14 OXFORD Safety gates and toiletries 56.55 14-Jun-21 SO COWLEY METHODIST OXFORD BABY BANK Rent 250 14-Jun-21 VIS DNHGODADDY.COM EU GODADDY.COM Website admin 28.78 12-Jul-21 SO COWLEY METHODIST OXFORD BABY BANK Rent 250 15-Jul-21 ))) ALDI 77 775 OXFORD Nappies, breast pumps, toiletries 24.64 22-Jul-21 ))) TESCO STORES 4480 BICESTER Bedding and towels 44 26-Jul-21 VIS INT'L 0014859487 eBay O25-07381-47 Luxembourg Cot mattresses 104.12 26-Jul-21 VIS INT'L 0014859488 eBay O14-07383-33 Luxembourg cot sheets 20.88 28-Jul-21 VIS IKEA LTD 185 MILTO BLETCHLEY Bedding and coat hangers 62 12-Aug-21 SO COWLEY METHODIST OXFORD BABY BANK Rent 250 12-Aug-21 ))) ALDI 77 775 OXFORD Children's toiletries and clothing 36.1 24-Aug-21 ))) TESCO STORES 4480 BICESTER Children's toiletries and nappies 16.5 24-Aug-21 ))) MARKS&SPENCER PLC OXFORD Children's clothing 10.47 26-Aug-21 VIS WWW.JOHNLEWIS.COM 03456 049 049 Baby baths 75 26-Aug-21 VIS WWW.JOHNLEWIS.COM 03456 049 049 Moses baskets 115 27-Aug-21 VIS INT'L 0038194554 Klarna foryourlitt Tipton Mattresses 15.39 13-Sep-21 SO COWLEY METHODIST OXFORD BABY BANK Rent 250 15-Sep-21 VIS TESCO STORES 4480 BICESTER Baby toiletries and bedding 63.5 22-Sep-21 ))) DUNELM LTD OXFORD Cot bedding 39.8 23-Sep-21 VIS ASDA STORE 4442 OXFORD Children's clothing 102.55 23-Sep-21 VIS ALDI STORES 775-14 OXFORD Toiletries, clothing, nappies 53.13 08-Oct-21 ))) HOME BARGAINS OXFORD Changing mats and bedding 23.96 08-Oct-21 ))) ALDI 77 775 OXFORD Nappies, baby wipes 20.06 12-Oct-21 SO COWLEY METHODIST OXFORD BABY BANK Rent 250 12-Oct-21 VIS TESCO STORES 4480 BICESTER Bedding, clothing, toiletries 38 13-Oct-21 VIS DNHGO DADDY EUROP 020 7979 2661 Website admin 100.66 22-Oct-21 VIS ARGOS LTD INTERNET Buggy 69 04-Nov-21 VIS ASDA STORE 4442 OXFORD Children's clothing 109.1 04-Nov-21 VIS ASDA STORE 4442 OXFORD Baby gates, nappy cream 43.33 08-Nov-21 VIS EBAY COMMERCE UK L LONDON Buggy Harnesses 9.46 08-Nov-21 ))) TESCO STORES 4480 BICESTER Nappies, baby wipes 40.44 09-Nov-21 ))) ALDI 93 775 BUCKINGHAM Children's toiletries and clothing 19.99 10-Nov-21 ))) IKEA LTD 185 MILTO BLETCHLEY Bedding, muslins, changing mats 93.5 11-Nov-21 ))) ASDA STORE 4442 OXFORD Children's coats 99 12-Nov-21 SO COWLEY METHODIST OXFORD BABY BANK Rent 250 25-Nov-21 VIS ZTL*jacobs inn Oxford AGM meeting with trustees 63 03-Dec-21 VIS EBAY COMMERCE UK L LONDON MISTAKEN CARD USED (refunded by CB O 14.51 03-Dec-21 VIS EBAY COMMERCE UK L LONDON MISTAKEN CARD USED (refunded by CB O 14.51	5277.43 4782.63 4532.63 4477.63 4421.08 4142.3 4892.3 4867.66 4823.66 4698.66 4636.66 4683.56 4656.59 4466.59 4451.2 5137.7 5145.9 4990.22 4946.2 4658.2 4557.54 4488.54 4336.11 4355.21 4335.22 4241.72 10142.72 9892.72 10662.72 10633.7

06-Dec-21	VIS	ASDA STORE 4442 OXFORD	Safety gates and coats	95.37
06-Dec-21	VIS	ARGOS LTD INTERNET	Mattresses	96.95	10441.38
13-Dec-21	SO	COWLEY METHODIST OXFORD BABY BANK	Rent	250	10191.38
21-Dec-21	)))	TESCO STORES 4480 BICESTER	Cot bedding, towels.	38.75	10152.63
10-Jan-22	DR	TOTAL CHARGES TO 19DEC2021	Bank charges	5.8	10146.83
11-Jan-22	)))	M&CO BUCKINGHAM	Winter jackets	13.98	10132.85
12-Jan-22	SO	COWLEY METHODIST OXFORD BABY BANK	Rent	250	9882.85
13-Jan-22	)))	ASDA STORE 4442 OXFORD	Children's clothing	42	9840.85
19-Jan-22	)))	ALDI STORES 775-14 OXFORD	Reusable nappies, toiletries, clothing	39.18	9801.67
01-Feb-22	VIS	IKEA LTD 185 MILTO BLETCHLEY	Storage boxes, towels, bedding	78	9723.67
10-Feb-22	DR	TOTAL CHARGES TO 19JAN2022	Bank charges	5	9718.67
14-Feb-22	SO	COWLEY METHODIST OXFORD BABY BANK	Rent	250	9468.67
16-Feb-22	)))	JOHN LEWIS OXFORD	Bedding	13.5
16-Feb-22	)))	JOHN LEWIS OXFORD	Baby clothing	14	9441.17
21-Feb-22	VIS	ARGOS LTD INTERNET	Stair gates x6	152.95	9288.22
22-Feb-22	)))	HOME BARGAINS OXFORD	Changing mats and children's underwear	50.95
22-Feb-22	)))	HOME BARGAINS OXFORD	Safety gates	39.98
22-Feb-22	)))	ALDI 77 775 OXFORD	Children's clothing	25.94	9171.35
24-Feb-22	VIS	SAINSBURY'S S/MKT HEYFORD HILL	Children's clothing and toiletries	105.15	9066.2
01-Mar-22	VIS	ASDA STORE 4442 OXFORD	Children's coats and clothing	96	8970.2
03-Mar-22	)))	ASDA STORE 4442 OXFORD	Coats	5
03-Mar-22	)))	ASDA STORE 4442 OXFORD	Coats and clothing	82.5	8882.7
08-Mar-22	BP	Mrs C M Barry Babybankmattresses	Refund to CM Barry - paid on own card	71.25	8811.45
10-Mar-22	VIS	PAYPAL *FORYOURLIT 35314369001	matress protectors	19.98	8791.47
13-Mar-22	DR	TOTAL CHARGES TO 19FEB2022	Bank charges	5	8786.47
14-Mar-22	SO	COWLEY METHODIST OXFORD BABY BANK	RENT	250
14-Mar-22	)))	ALDI 77 775 OXFORD	Bottles, wipes, clothing	60.7	8475.77
15-Mar-22	VIS	eBay O*17-08378-71 LONDON	MISTAKEN CARD USED (refunded by CB O	12.99	8462.78
18-Mar-22	)))	TESCO STORES 4480 BICESTER	Changing mats and bottles	67	9595.78
21-Mar-22	VIS	eBay O*05-08404-78 LONDON	MISTAKEN CARD USED (refunded by CB O	2.15
21-Mar-22	VIS	eBay O*10-08405-50 LONDON	MISTAKEN CARD USED (refunded by CB O	4.04	9590.88
23-Mar-22	VIS	OXFORDSHIRE CC MOT OXFORD	Parking permit	150
23-Mar-22	VIS	ARGOS LTD INTERNET	Matresses	142.95	9297.93
28-Mar-22	VIS	eBay O*23-08423-31 LONDON	MISTAKEN CARD USED (refunded by CB O	2.99	9294.94
		TOTAL		6593