Leeds Baby Bank Issues Urgent Donation Appeal Amid Rising Demand

Leeds Baby Bank has issued an urgent call for donations as the charity faces an unprecedented surge in demand for essential items such as nappies, clothing, and prams. Chantal Nogbou, who established the organization in 2017, reported a significant increase in referrals from health and social care professionals over recent months.

Since the beginning of June, staff at the charity have supported 550 families across Leeds, a figure Nogbou described as historic. The organization anticipates this number will climb further as winter approaches, with families facing the dual pressure of rising energy costs and the need to feed and clothe their children.

Nogbou, a single mother of four who founded the charity after recognizing the struggles of other families, noted a stark shift in the demographics of poverty since the charity’s inception. She highlighted that while one in five children lived in relative poverty in Leeds pre-pandemic, figures in some areas have risen to one in two.

Approximately 70% of the children assisted by the bank have at least one working parent, many of whom are finding it difficult to manage bills amid escalating fuel and energy prices. Government data indicates that 27% of children in the Yorkshire and Humber region live in relative low-income households, a proportion tied with the West Midlands as the highest in the country.

The charity, which is set to celebrate its tenth anniversary in January, has also relocated from its city centre office to a larger facility in Armley to better serve the community. Nogbou acknowledged that the move and rising utility costs have exacerbated the charity’s financial challenges.

Emphasizing the impact of small contributions, Nogbou encouraged the public to consider regular donations. She noted that a monthly direct debit of just £5 could purchase a new Moses basket mattress, underscoring how significantly community support enables the charity to continue its operations.