Greater Lincolnshire baby banks experience a surge in demand as families feel cost of living pinch
Baby banks across Greater Lincolnshire are seeing a rise in families seeking support as the cost of living crisis continues to squeeze household budgets.
Volunteers and organisers from baby banks in Market Rasen, Horncastle and Grimsby have raised concerns, with some expecting demand to increase further as the six-week school holiday nears.
New figures from the Baby Bank Alliance’s 2023 and 2024 annual members’ survey show that 220,000 families across the UK were supported by baby banks in 2024, up from 163,000 in 2023.
More than 3.5 million essential items were distributed in 2024 — including nappies, clothes and cots — marking a 143% increase on the previous year.
The Market Rasen Baby Bank, now entering its second year of operation, is among those experiencing a surge in demand.
Eve Bennett, who founded the independent pop-up service, revealed that in just 26 weeks, the number of users rose from 19 to 76 families across Market Rasen and surrounding areas including Caistor, Brookenby, Kelsey and Binbrook. She described the increase as “quite disturbing.”
“I would say a large percentage of service users are your average working family — money just isn’t stretching to the end of the month,” she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Ms Bennett added that even households where both parents are working are struggling, particularly with nursery fees, which have risen by an average of 10% following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ controversial tax changes for employers, according to a survey by the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA).
“Nobody has any contingencies — every little penny is just going into living,” she said.
When asked whether the baby bank could meet the growing demand, she praised the local community, pointing to one independent business that recently donated £100 worth of baby milk when supplies were low.
Nevertheless, she added: “We’re all struggling. The cost of living issue is here — and it’s here for a very long time.”
The Market Rasen Baby Bank is typically open every Wednesday from 9.30am to 11.30am at the Market Rasen Town Cricket & Association Football Club.
Sue Bain, director of Little Treasures Baby Bank in Horncastle, said she had also seen a noticeable rise in referrals — where items are requested through healthcare professionals.
“We’ve definitely noticed an increase in referrals,” she said, explaining that before the start of 2025, the baby bank typically received between two and four referrals a week. That figure has now doubled.
“The number of items in a referral has doubled as well,” she added, noting that larger items such as cots and travel systems are particularly in demand.
“We’re here to help anybody, all across the county. We’re based in Horncastle, but we will literally help anywhere.”
The baby bank has recently put out an urgent appeal for unused and unwanted prams and is encouraging anyone able to donate to get in touch via social media.
Lianne Hudson, co-ordinator of the West Marsh Baby Bank in Grimsby, said things had been “a bit quieter” over the winter months, with fewer people coming directly to them — but referrals have surged.
She recalled a recent case involving a midwife who arrived unexpectedly, seeking urgent baby milk for one of her patients.
“People do not get enough to be able to survive,” she said, adding that supermarket prices had become “ridiculous.”
“There’s an issue that’s not getting dealt with. You find sometimes that parents are choosing between eating themselves or providing for their children. Nine times out of ten, you’ll find that parents aren’t eating because they can’t afford to.”
Struggling to meet the demand, the West Marsh Baby Bank has recently changed how it operates. Families can now only attend during weeks when they are not receiving pay.
The West Marsh Baby Bank is typically open every Tuesday from 9:30am to 11:30am at the West Marsh Community Centre on Beeson Street.
