## 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 emilystjohnwright@hotmail.com Caroline Barry Consultant Clinical Psychologist SECRETARY AND FUND RAISING 7 Northmoor Road Oxford OX2 6UW cm.barry@yahoo.co.uk Suzanne Lingard Retiired Senior Social Worker PROFESSIONAL LIAISON AND PROCUREMENT 27 Witney Road Eynsham OXON OX29 4PH suzannelingard@btinternet.com Emma Poynton Retired Teacher TREASURER AND PROCUREMENT 48 Quarry Road Headington Oxford OX3 8NX 1 emmakingston@aol.com ## **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 2 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 3 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. 4 ## **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. **----- Start of picture text -----**
STRUCTURE
**----- End of picture text -----**
5 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 6 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 7 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. 8 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:** 9 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 10 **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
DNH*GODADDY.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 O*25-07381-47 Luxembourg
Cot mattresses
104.12
26-Jul-21 VIS
INT'L 0014859488 eBay O*14-07383-33 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
DNH*GO 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**||