Sadly, being pregnant can be the trigger for domestic violence and abuse. Sometimes the pregnancy is what motivates a woman to seek help, sometimes the pregnancy is when the violence starts. The Basildon Women's Aid Refuge offers an escape route for women and their children from domestic violence, but they arrive at the refuge with whatever they've been able to grab - and sometimes this can be just the clothes that they are standing in.

Imagine being pregnant and not having any of the things you need to take to hospital for the birth?

Imagine not having maternity pads or breast pads, or a packet of nappies for your newborn?

Imagine that's all been left behind you.

It might sound like something which only happens in inner-cities, but domestic violence is no respecter of wealth or class. It happens all over the country and it happens here, on our doorsteps.

The idea of the Baby Bundles Project is to provide a box of essentials for labour and the first few days for every expectant mother who finds herself at the refuge. It can take time for welfare benefits to come through and women need a few things for themselves and their new babies - maternity pads, breastpads, nappies, a nightie or pyjamas, toothbrush & toothpaste and an outfit for the baby. We're not talking luxuries here - just the basics so a woman can have some dignity.

We know there are lots of happy parents who have lots of stuff they may no longer need for their families - we know our nearly new sales are a great place to buy and sell this stuff too! We also know that when asked, people are very kind and generous!

How can you help?

Donate stuff: We have loads of clothes donations, but could do with more toiletries, baby equipment etc. In particular we need:

• Ladies Toiletries (e.g. shampoo, shower gel, maternity pads, moisturiser)
• Nearly new baby equipment (e.g. blankets, muslins, bouncers, moses baskets)
• Baby Toiletries (e.g. left over nappies, un-opened nappy cream, baby bath)
• Good quality toys and books
• We’ve already had lots of clothes donated but could do with things like snowsuits

Fundraise: We need to raise some funds to cover storage costs and the things we have to buy for the Baby-Bundle packs. At present, even with lots of donations, boxes still cost about £20 each. So if you would like to make a donation please contact us, and if you have any fundraising ideas, e-mail us at the address below.

Volunteer:  Our committee is made up of parents, most of whom have babies and pre-school children, and some work full time, so we are already stretched just running our calendar of events. So if you think that you would be able to offer some time, be it a few hours a month or getting more involved, it would be very much appreciated. We would like to expand the scheme by working with the Children's centres in the area, which will both promote the scheme and help identify parents in need. With more volunteers, there would be nothing to stop us doing this right now.

For more information on the project, to volunteer or donate items please contact Claire at

baby-bundles@nct.org.uk