A WREXHAM-BASED family support charity has launched a baby equipment bank.

Home-Start Wrexham, who provides support to families with children from conception to 12 years living in the County Borough, have created an exciting new project to help ensure expectant parents and those with very young children have access to essential items needed to care for their babies.

Their Baby Equipment Bank was launched yesterday (Thursday, 1 October) and will stock pre-loved baby equipment which will be given to families who will benefit.

The charity, who are known mostly for their one to one home visiting service where families are matched with a trained support worker or volunteer to visit on a weekly basis, but like most things, the support offered has changed over the last few months and has been predominantly virtual.

However, the charity has continued to support a large number of families during the pandemic, offering much needed emotional support for parents.

As well as home visiting, Home-Start run a twice weekly family learning group and offer various workshops and parenting programmes.

A spokesperson for Home-Start Wrexham, said: "Thanks to the generosity of the public, we have received lots of donations of baby equipment in great condition and by launching the Baby Equipment Bank, we will be able to ensure these items are utilised by other families, in order to help reduce the pressure on parents to buy everything they need for their baby during difficult times.

"We are expecting to support many families with the Baby Equipment Bank and in doing this, we will make our organisation known to many more families who may require support, especially those families in the antenatal period who may otherwise not have heard about us before."

In order to use the Baby Equipment Bank, families can ask their health professionals such as midwives and health visitors to make a referral on their behalf.

Home-Start Wrexham welcome donations from the public but there are some criteria for items being donated, so they advise that you call them prior to donating or have a look on their Facebook page for more information.

If you think you may benefit from having some support or would like to know more about getting involved as a volunteer or trustee, contact homestartwrexham@gmail.com

Alternatively, self-referrals are accepted via babybankwrexham@gmail.com or by calling 01978 366660.