How Jayne's Baby Bank helped this struggling Pontypool mum
32-year-old Samantha Arnold is a single mum to her three-year-old daughter Kiara.
When she first became a mum Samantha was struggling to afford essentials for Kiara.
Not knowing where to turn or what to do, Samantha eventually came across Jayne's Baby Bank on Crane Street.
Samantha Arnold volunteer at Jayne's Baby Bank with daughter Kiara (Image: NQ) Samantha said: 'I'm a single parent, my daughters now three, my daughter was about 18 months at the time it was coming up to winter and she jumped a size in her clothes.
'I was just really, really, struggling. I'd been to citizens advice for help and they helped me with food, gas and electric, but there was no help out there for nappies so I just happened to find these guys on Facebook and I thought the worst they could say is no.'
Thankfully for Samantha she received the support she needed.
She added: 'I popped down and met Jayne myself she said all I'd need is something in writing, and she allowed me to help myself to anything that would help my daughter at the time, and it was a really big help.
'A few weeks later I saw they were desperate for volunteers, and I just said I can help but I'll have to bring my little one with me and we've been here ever since.'
Essential items for babies at Jayne's Bank Pontypool (Image: NQ) Almost 12,000 babies and children in poverty across Wales have been supported by baby banks in 2023 alone. This is according to data from the Baby Bank Alliance.
The same report says that nearly one in three Welsh children have experience living in poverty (29%) since 2023 and baby banks have responded by giving families over 18,700 items such as warm clothes, books, baby toiletries and equipment.
Stock at Jayne's Baby Bank Pontypool (Image: NQ) Samantha had the following to say to anyone struggling.
'Pop in. "We are all mums. We've all needed help one way or another. We also support anyone with learning difficulties. You're welcome to volunteer with us.
'We need a wider range of wider volunteers here.
'If you do up to eight hours you get a £20 stock allowance and it's a great help.'
Jayne's Baby Bank has shops in Pontypool, Risca Caerphilly and Blackwood.
The business is currently looking for volunteers.
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