'I don't know where I'd be without it': London baby banks see demand shoot up over pandemic
The huge financial strain of the pandemic is forcing more and more families around the UK to rely on baby banks.
According to new statistics, almost half of young parents in the UK have had to use baby banks during the pandemic to get essentials like nappies and formula, and just under a fifth have relied on the banks on a weekly basis.
The research, conducted by Pampers, also shows that more than a quarter of mums and dads feel like they've failed as parents.
However, nearly half of parents say they support their local community now more than before the pandemic with the same number saying they are more likely to donate and support local charitable causes today compared to a year ago.
71 per cent of parents with young children say they are going to focus on donating or showing their support specifically to local charities that help parents with their babies.
"We've been busier than ever since Covid," says Sophie Livingstone, CEO of Little Village baby bank, which has hubs in Camden, Wandsworth and Southwark. "Last year we supported 5,500 children under the age of five, which is almost double the number we supported in the previous year."
Mum Vicky says their help has been invaluable: "I've struggled a lot with anxiety and depression over the last year, and just having people to even talk to has been a massive lifeline for me."