Basch Helps CIC has reported a significant shift in the challenges facing London families, with more parents seeking support during pregnancy and the earliest stages of parenthood than ever before. The charity says the trend reflects a growing reality across the capital: families are reaching crisis point sooner, while the charities that support them continue to face mounting financial pressures.
Over the past several years, community organisations have been asked to do more with less. As emergency Covid-era funding has reduced, many charities have experienced falling grant availability, increased competition for funding, donor fatigue, rising operational costs and growing demand for services. At the same time, families continue to face the lingering effects of the cost-of-living crisis, housing instability and financial insecurity.
The pressure is evident across the baby poverty sector. Recent figures from the Baby Bank Alliance revealed that more than 400,000 children received support from baby banks in 2025, representing an 11% increase on the previous year. Demand for cots increased by 20%, formula provision increased by 26%, and more than half of baby banks reported operating waiting lists for essential items.
According to the Alliance, over 1,096 children every day are now receiving support from baby banks across the UK, highlighting the scale of need facing families with young children.
Homelessness and Child Poverty Continue to Impact Families
Alongside rising baby poverty, homelessness remains a significant challenge for many London families.
Research presented by Camden Council and King’s College London highlighted the growing need for targeted support for families living in temporary accommodation, particularly those caring for children with SEND needs. The programme found families were regularly forced to spend additional money on transport, food, sensory equipment, household essentials and support services simply to mitigate the impact of living in temporary accommodation.
The research identified that grants provided to families were most commonly used for:
- Food and clothing
- Beds and mattresses
- Washing machines and household appliances
- Travel costs
- Sensory-friendly furnishings
- Basic everyday essentials for children living in temporary accommodation
The findings mirror what Basch Helps volunteers witness daily across London boroughs.
“Families are not just struggling to buy baby essentials,” said Bader Berj, Director of Operations at Basch Helps CIC.
“They are dealing with rising rents, unsuitable housing, debt, social isolation and increasing mental health pressures. We are seeing parents reaching out during pregnancy because they know they will not be able to afford the basic items required for their baby’s arrival.”
Early Intervention, Not Crisis Intervention
Basch Helps believes the solution lies in acting earlier.
The community enterprise AngelBox programme was originally designed as an emergency baby support package providing essential newborn items, nappies, equipment and practical assistance to families experiencing hardship.
However, over the past five years, the organisation has developed a broader model focused on breaking cycles of poverty before families reach crisis point.
Today, Basch Helps combines:
- AngelBox emergency baby support
- Parent Space guidance services
- AngelBox Surgery one-to-one support
- Befriending and peer support
- Application tracking and referral systems
- Digital information platforms
- Community listening programmes
This evolving approach aims to address not only immediate need, but also the barriers that often keep families trapped in poverty.
Mama Corner: Helping Parents Navigate Local Support
One of the charity’s newest initiatives is Mama Corner, a community-led information and support platform designed to help parents understand the services, grants and opportunities available within their local borough.
For many families, support already exists but can be difficult to find or navigate.
Mama Corner helps disadvantaged parents access information about:
- Cost-of-living support
- Housing and homelessness services
- Children’s centres
- Local family hubs
- Welfare support
- Mental health services
- SEND resources
- Community organisations and charities
The platform also gives parents a safe space to share concerns, experiences and suggestions, helping Basch Helps better understand the realities families face across London.
Parents Shaping the Future of AngelBox
A key part of Basch Helps’ development has been its commitment to co-production.
The charity’s Mama Panel consists entirely of former AngelBox recipients who bring lived experience of poverty, hardship, pregnancy and early parenthood.
Over the years, these parent panellists have played a vital role in shaping the charity’s services by providing continuous feedback on:
- AngelBox contents
- Application processes
- Digital systems
- Delivery experiences
- Parent support services
- Accessibility and inclusion
This lived experience feedback has helped transform AngelBox from a traditional baby aid package into what many professionals and families now regard as one of London’s most comprehensive and practical baby support programmes.
The model mirrors wider best practice approaches that place parents and lived experience voices at the centre of service design and decision-making.
Innovation Through Continuous Improvement
Since its launch in 2020, Basch Helps has continually invested in improving how support is delivered.
The community enterprise has introduced:
- Real-time application tracking
- Structured referral pathways
- Eligibility support tools
- Inventory management systems
- Data-led service development
- Enhanced communication platforms
These improvements help ensure that donations and funding are directed where they can have the greatest impact while reducing delays for families seeking help.
Looking Ahead
As demand continues to rise across London, Basch Helps is calling on funders, businesses, grant makers and members of the public to recognise that early intervention is one of the most effective tools available to combat child poverty.
“When we support a parent before crisis develops, we create better outcomes for babies, families and communities,” said Moosa Berjaoui.
“Every AngelBox, every conversation, every referral and every piece of guidance is designed to help families build stability. We believe no baby should start life without the essentials they need, and no parent should have to face those challenges alone.”
With baby-bank demand continuing to rise nationally and financial pressures remaining widespread, Basch Helps says collaboration between communities, local authorities, healthcare professionals and charities will be essential to ensuring London’s youngest residents have the safe and supported start they deserve.
