Home-Start West Berkshire celebrates new premises and Baby Bank opening in Newbury

A West Berkshire charity is celebrating its move to a larger, more central location in Newbury.

Home-Start West Berkshire started in 1997 at a small unit in Greenham Business Park.

But the charity, which provides financial and emotional support to struggling families, soon realised it needed more space to meet public demand for its services.

On July 18, it celebrated moving to Greenham Trust's offices at Broadway House on The Broadway with staff, dignitaries and trustees.

And the charity was able to officially open its Baby Bank, gifted to it in 2021 by Kayleigh and Simon Powell.

Director Grace Green said: “We have seen a big increase in families struggling to make ends meet.

“They just don’t have the funds for buying new baby and childcare equipment and we also have a community of people who don’t want their preloved items to end up in landfill so it is a win-win.”

Between April 2023 and March 2024, the charity reportedly received 195 referrals and dispatched £13,000 worth of goods to families in need.

And its most popular requested item during this period was vests, with 384 being sent out.

A newborn baby bundle consists of, on average, 60 items including clothes, nappies, wipes and bottles at full price, costing £275 in total.

The charity will maintain a presence at its previous site.

Email Babybank@home-startwb.org.uk if you are interested in making donations or volunteering.

Home-Start West Berkshire is affiliated with the national organisation, Home-Start UK, but is independent and responsible for its own management and funding.