Local health professionals, including health visitors, midwives and refuge officers, gathered at Cinnamon Culture restaurant in Sundridge Park a little while back on 24th June to celebrate the launch of Bromley Brighter Beginnings.
This new charity supports destitute parents of young children in the London Borough of Bromley by providing them with essential items such as cots, buggies and clothes.
Over 50 families have benefited so far, including victims of domestic violence living in refuge, young mums without support living in mother and baby units, and single mums living in hostel accommodation. The items are all donated by other local parents.
Bromley Brighter Beginnings also provides newborn packs to expectant mums, which include nappies, baby clothes, sanitary towels and other toiletries, to get mum and baby through the first couple of weeks.
Families in need are referred to the charity by local health professionals. The project is staffed exclusively by volunteers, all parents of young children themselves, and relies entirely on donations.
Speaking at the launch, Emma Martin, Chair of Bromley Brighter Beginnings, said: “As parents ourselves, we know that parenting is challenging even in the best circumstances. For people in financial need, it is even harder. Stress, depression and anxiety in parents creates problems for their children, so if we can alleviate some of the stress that those parents are under, and make them feel supported at a critical time in their lives, we hope to give their children a brighter beginning than they would otherwise have had.”
For further information please visit the website: www.babypacks.org.uk or call 07582 245661. You can keep up-to-date with the charity’s work by joining the Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/BromleyBrighterBeginnings or following them on Twitter @BrighterB.
