'I feel a baby should have a good start in life'

A new "baby bank" has opened, stocked with donations from a local community.

Megan Sinden opened the Moorside Baby Bank in Consett, County Durham, after seeing there was "quite a need in the area".

She said local women had been knitting hats and jumpers to donate, while volunteers had been driving around to pick up and drop off items.

"There's a lot of poverty going on behind closed doors," she said. "I just feel like it's really good for a baby to have a good start in life."

Local mum Abbie, who has two daughters aged one and two, said the baby bank had given her "reassurance".

"It really helped me when I needed a little support."

Mum-of-three Jen had been given clothes, nappies and baby wipes for her family.

"Things are so expensive at the minute, and children just go through so much so quickly," Jen said. "It's really hard to keep up with it."

She said the new baby bank was a "safety net".

"They don't make you feel beneath them to ask," Jen added.

"It's not embarrassing or anything."

The baby bank in St John's Church Hall is open on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and provides essential items to families in need.

Ms Sinden, a community worker from nearby Stanley, said she had the idea in 2023 after people told her they and their neighbours were struggling.

"And then more people started coming up to us saying they needed help so I just thought, 'I'm going to go for it, I'm going to try and set something up'," she said.

She successfully applied for funding from community initiatives and opened at the beginning of February.

Ms Sinden said it was particularly hard at the moment in Consett due to the cost of living crisis.

"It's hard for some people to get over the sense of pride and try to get people to accept they may need help," she said.

"If you want to sit down and have a chat, have a cuppa, we'll try to help you the best we can."

She welcomed people to volunteer their time by sorting clothes or donating items.

"I'm really grateful for all the community spirit," Ms Sinden said.

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