A volunteer initiative to provide items such as clothing and nappies to new mums has set up a new community base in Stoke-on-Trent city centre. 

Stoke-on-Trent Baby Bank, founded by Kirsty Jackson, has been operating remotely since 2020 but now has a permanent base at Emmaus North Staffs, on New Hall Street. 

The baby bank has its own dedicated section in the Hanley store where new mums and mums-to-be can find assistance and support. 

Carla Weir of Stoke-on-Trent Baby Bank, said: "We were delighted when Emmaus North Staffs said we could have a hub at their large charity store and it is a really good base for us to have so mums and mums-to-be can come in for appointments.

"With Kirsty's family being from Stoke-on-Trent, and her knowing the need for this service in the city, the plan was always to cover the area.

"We're looking forward to being able to give families in Stoke more accessible assistance and support."

Appointments for the service must be made in advance and take place on Mondays and Thursdays between 11am and 1pm.

Executive lead of Emmaus North Staffs, John Webbe, said: "Stoke on Trent Baby Bank have been doing amazing things in the area and provide a great support network, so it has been great to welcome them to our store.

"As a charity ourselves we provide support to vulnerable families and also we have our Beds for Kids campaign, which provides brand new bed bundles to children who do not have a bed of their own, and something we also partnered with another organisation on - Zarach - in 2023.

"If we can work together with Stoke on Trent Baby Bank to help them help more mums then that is what we will do to help others."

For more information about Stoke on Trent Baby Bank and their hub at the Emmaus North Staffs store contact: stokeontrentbabybank[at]gmail.com or on 07301 638216.