Celebrating our first birthday at the Baby Bank

Exactly one year on from GoodGym Windsor and Maidenhead's launch, it was great to return to our regular beneficiary, The Baby Bank. It was also lovely to meet Donna for the first time as she joined us for her second community mission.

Following the recent announcement about schools reopening, uniform is once again in demand, so we had the satisfying job of checking donated uniform for quality and sorting by size. As we cleared the bigger boxes, we created lots of little piles of tights, t-shirts and P.E shorts ready for 'filing' and time passed quickly. In every few bags of donated items there is always something a bit unexpected - today's was an adult sized cow-boy hat..!

It is always busy at this amazing charity and this morning there was some extra excitement as the founders were being interviewed on camera by one of the health visitors who brings them referrals. Donna and I were able to listen to Rebecca telling the health visitor the charity's story while we worked.

Whilst it was heartening to hear how much support they are giving, it was very sad to hear how busy they are as a direct result of the pandemic. Their beneficiaries are often hard-working parents, who feel embarrassed to ask for help, but have no choice as their livlihoods have been snatched away by Covid-related restrictions and Lockdowns. Rebecca spoke particularly about nappies: it is essential for children to have access to clean nappies for their health and comfort, and lots of us would take them for granted, but the cost of daily essentials like these can really stack up and become unamanageable. Rebecca said it can be upsetting to learn of so many families' struggles, but there is no time to dwell as there is always another referral waiting to be processed. On more of a positive note, she said it is amazing how generous local people are when they make direct appeals for donations. She gave the example of a specialist buggy they appealed for a few weeks ago - and within hours they had three.

Thank you for having us Baby Bank - it is always a privilege to be able to contribute the small amount that we do.

Thank you also to Amanda Quincey, who joined me for a celebratory 1st birthday run (complete with balloons!) on the Maidenhead Parkrun course on my way home.