MORE than £1 million has been distributed to baby banks across the UK by the Baby Bank Alliance over the last three years, helping hundreds of local organisations provide essential items and vital support to families facing crisis.
The milestone comes at a time of growing demand for baby bank services. In 2025, baby banks supported more than 400,000 children, an increase of 11% on the previous year. Yet while the need for support continues to rise, three-quarters of baby banks surveyed by The Baby Bank Alliance said a lack of sustainable funding is their biggest challenge.
The Baby Bank Alliance represents and advocates for the UK’s network of more than 400 baby banks, which provide families with essentials such as clothing, nappies, cots and prams when they need them most.
The Alliance gave £660,000 to 200 baby banks across the UK in 2026, giving them an unrestricted grant of at least £2800 to meet demand.
The funding, made possible due to the ongoing support of partners, has given baby banks the flexibility to respond to local needs, whether that’s buying essential items such as nappies, clothing and safe-sleeping equipment or covering the core costs of running their services. For organisations operating with limited resources, this funding can make a critical difference to their ability to continue supporting families.
For many baby banks, this flexibility provides vital breathing space at a time when securing sustainable income is becoming increasingly difficult. More than three-quarters of baby banks have an annual income of less than £50,000, while 78% report that their success in securing funding has remained flat or declined, compared with 69% in 2024. For some, this cash means the difference between helping or turning families away.
Jill Fraser, Centre Leader at Baby Basics Sunbury, one of the recipients of the Annual Grant this year, said:
“Since we began operating 12 years ago, we have provided over 3000 Moses basket starter packs for families with, or expecting, newborn babies.
“In recent years, due mainly to the increase in the cost of living, the supply of donated, pre-loved Moses baskets and other items have dropped as new mums either hold on to them or sell them on. For this reason, we have had to purchase more new items, such as baskets, mattresses, towels and clothes, to fulfil an average of 30 referrals per month from local health care professionals. As a small centre, we would struggle to be able to do this without the annual grant from the Baby Bank Alliance.”
In 2026, approximately 60% of baby banks reported using the grant to purchase essential baby products, while 48% said funding would be used towards core operational costs.
Some of these costs are fundamental to keeping a baby bank running, including rent, storage, utilities, insurance, staffing and transport, while also enabling organisations to buy products that can be difficult to source through donations, for example pushchairs and mattresses for safe sleeping.
Demand for baby bank services continues to grow, with more children being supported each year. However, average income growth of 9% (£98,000) has not been sufficient to keep pace with increasing need.
The challenges facing baby banks are being felt across the UK, regardless of location or community.
In 2026, the Annual Grant reached baby banks across every nation and region of the UK, showing we’re reaching families in need, wherever they may be when they need.
Sonya Bridges, founder of the Pembrokeshire Baby Bank, which also received support via the grant, said:
“We’re a small baby bank in a seaside community, relying largely on local businesses and the generosity of our community to support families. While we’re fortunate to receive plenty of donations of some items, there are others we simply can’t rely on donations to provide.
“Beds are the most urgently needed items in our community, yet we struggle to keep up with demand. We use every bit of funding we can to buy them; I honestly can’t remember the last time one was donated. People are struggling, so rather than donating a cot like they used to, they sell them.
“The annual grant is a huge help to us. It means we can buy the cots, cot beds and toddler beds families need, when they need them. Without the funding, there’s no way we could continue providing the level of support we currently do.”
On reaching the million-pound milestone, Chair of the Baby Bank Alliance, Sophie Livingstone said:
“Reaching this £1 million milestone is a moment to celebrate. It’s what we envisaged when we started, that by coming together we could attract new money to support the incredible work of baby banks across the UK. It’s also a big reminder of why baby banks are needed more than ever – families are facing impossible choices, and baby banks are working tirelessly to ensure children have the essentials they need.
“The Annual Grant gives baby banks the opportunity to respond to the realities they see every day, whether that’s covering core costs, buying essential items or meeting growing demand. We’re so proud of what this fund has achieved so far and enormously grateful to the partners, funders and donors whose support continues to make it possible.”
The work of the Alliance continues to be powered by the generosity and longstanding commitment of partners including Morgan Stanley, IKEA, Barratt Redrow Foundation, Pears Foundation and major donors, with funding partnerships secured by the BBA’s incubating partners, Purposeful Ventures and Save the Children. Without continued support, this fantastic achievement would not have been possible.
Dan Paskins, Executive Director of UK Impact at Save the Children UK, said:
“Baby banks play a vital role in supporting families with young children through some of the most challenging moments in their lives. As one of the founding members of the Baby Bank Alliance, we’re proud to help ensure that funding reaches the organisations that know their communities best.
“Thanks to this funding, baby banks are able to provide essential items and practical support to families when it’s needed most. It demonstrates the power of investing in trusted local organisations, giving them the resources and flexibility to respond to local challenges and helping create lasting change for children and their families.”
Tom O’Beirne, Director of Incubations, Purposeful Ventures, said:
“Reaching this milestone is a testament to the work of the Baby Bank Alliance and the hundreds of baby banks supporting families across the UK. As an incubating partner alongside Save the Children UK, we are proud to have played a part in the Baby Bank Alliance’s development and to continue supporting its work. At a time of growing demand, the Annual Grant provides vital, flexible funding that enables baby banks to respond to local needs and ensure more children and families have access to the essentials they need.”
Andrew Button-Stephens, Head of Barratt Redrow Foundation, said:
“We’ve seen through our previous support for baby banks just how important they can be for families facing difficult circumstances. That’s why our partnership with the Baby Bank Alliance means so much to the Barratt Redrow Foundation. We’re incredibly proud to have played a part in helping their Annual Grant reach the £1 million milestone and, most importantly, in supporting baby banks to be there for children and families when they need them most.”
Hiliary Jenkins, Sustainability Business Partner, IKEA said:
“At IKEA, we believe every family deserves access to the essentials their baby needs. Our stores work directly with local baby banks to support their efforts by offering practical expertise and facilitating the donation of essential items, including cots, toddler beds, mattresses, high chairs and storage. We know demand for services is rising, making this unique partnership invaluable.
“Alongside this local action, our continued contributions to the Baby Bank Alliance’s annual grant give baby banks the flexibility and confidence to sustain vital services and keep supporting families in crisis. We’d encourage others to back the Alliance and contribute to the fund.”
Jessica Alsford, EMEA Chief Administrative Officer and Chair of the Morgan Stanley International Foundation, said:
“This significant milestone demonstrates the power of collaboration and the impact of community-led initiatives in ensuring children and families can access essential items when they need them most. We’re proud to support Save the Children UK and the Baby Bank Alliance, helping to strengthen the vital role baby banks play in assisting families across the UK.”
