Bradford midwives have launched an appeal so that new mums and their babies on their wards are able to access extra care items – such as toiletries, baby blankets and baby wipes – through the ‘maternity care’ cupboard.
Based in the Women’s and Newborn Unit at Bradford Royal Infirmary, the cupboard was started in 2023 by Sophie Wainman and Kate Hurley, after a woman came in to give birth who had ‘absolutely nothing’.
Sophie (pictured above) said: “We opened the cupboard in 2023 after a woman arrived at maternity in labour, who had absolutely nothing.
“We had nothing to provide her with and we thought this wasn’t right, so we appealed to colleagues to bring items in, like a deodorant or shampoo, and it just snowballed from there.
“Out of this experience, we realised that we wanted to do all in our power to help preserve dignity and hygiene for those new mums who don’t have much so the cupboard just grew from there and now contains everything from toiletries and baby clothes to baby blankets and wipes.”
The cupboard is run solely on donations from NHS staff and the local community. It provides “little extras” for new mums on maternity wards, focusing on enhancing comfort, supporting families and providing items for those arriving without basic supplies.
It includes everything from clothes, bodywash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, along with beautifully crocheted blankets, knitwear and breast pumps.
New mum Nimota with her baby boy who was gifted a beautifully crocheted blanket by Ilkley resident, Eliz Sandalls, to celebrate his birth and keep him warm.
Sophie continued: “The cupboard is free at the point of access, just like the NHS. If someone is in need and they haven’t got essential baby and care items, then we just come to the cupboard and get it.
“It’s not just for the post-natal wards but is for the whole unit and wider community, so if any area needs something for one of their women or babies, they can come and get it. It could be for one thing or it could be for 10 things. It is for everyone in need.”
The midwives often receive donations from women who have given birth at the unit and want to ‘give something back’ as a ‘thank you’ to the unit that cared for them and their babies.
Some of the extra items available to new mums at the BRI
Sophie added: “We also try to do internal fundraisers twice a year if we can. We had a raffle last year where we had a pair of flights donated which were won by a colleague. It all keeps the cupboard full but a few weeks ago our cupboard was bare, as demand goes in peaks and troughs.
“It’s mainly the kindness of staff that keeps it going but our patients are brilliant too and last month we received a donation of several readymade care packages, in individual bags including hairbrushes, breast pumps and essential toiletries from a grateful mum whose baby had been born here. We were delighted as we know these gifts will go to a good home so any donation, however big or small, is very welcome and will be well used.”
If you would like to donate items to the maternity store cupboard, please contact sophie.wainman@bthft.nhs.uk