Baby Basics
Hastings & Rother
The aim of Baby Basics Hastings is to support expectant mothers who will struggle to meet the financial and practical needs of their new baby when he or she arrives. We are part of the nationwide network of Baby Basics centres, staffed mostly by dedicated teams of volunteers.
Baby Basics Hastings and Rother provides a Moses basket starter pack with essentials for a baby aged 0-3 months, as well as toiletries for mum.
About Us
We work with many referral agencies including midwives, health visitors, social care and others to provide a safe reliable service that people can trust.
— We are located at the Hastings Centre, The Ridge, Hastings, TN34 2SA
— We are open for referrals by email from Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm.
— We are open for collections and donations on Thursdays 9am - 12pm, see our donation list on this page for what we can accept.
Meet the Team
Mairi Reid
Centre Coordinator
With a team of 5 volunteers who give their time to sort out donations, pack referrals and so much more.
You can contact us either on Facebook or by email (babybasics@kings1066.org).
Get Help
We work by professional referral only. We take referrals from any organisation working with families including midwives, health visitors and local council. We support families with children from birth up to 3 months.
Families
Do you live in the Hastings and Rother area? Do you have a child pre-birth to 3 months and need baby items? Please talk to your midwife, health visitor or another professional who is supporting you. They will be able to make a referral on your behalf. We are unable to accept self-referrals.
Make a referral
Our current turnaround time for referrals is 2 weeks from referral date. If your referral is more urgent (eg. A baby not sleeping safely or a baby with no clothes to wear) please email us: babybasics@kings1066.org.
Please give us a collection date at point of referral, it must be yourself or someone from your organisation that collects the referral. We do not allow families to collect their own items. Referrals can be made by emailing us.
Donations
We are able to accept any of the following items brand new:
- Size 1 nappies
- Baby wipes
- Baby shampoo
- Baby soap/wash
- Nappy cream
- Baby lotion
- Bibs and muslins
- Baby bath towels
- Toiletries for mum (deodorant, shower gel, shampoo etc.)
- Maternity towels
- Disposable breast pads
- Adult toothbrush and toothpaste
- Baby toys
- Chocolates
We would also be grateful to receive new or good quality second-hand items including:
- Moses basket sheets
- Moses basket blankets
- Baby vests (newborn and 0-3 months)
- Baby grows (newborn and 0-3 months)
- Cardigans, jumpers, or coats (0-3 months)
- Hats, mittens, and scratch mitts (0-3 months)
- Outfits (newborn or 0-3 months)
90% of what we provide are high quality second-hand items, so please only bring brand new or high-quality second-hand items which are listed above. We have limited storage space for items, so please email us and confirm before you come.
We do not accept next to me cribs, swinging cribs, travel cots, car seats, buggies, jumperoos, second-hand highchairs, sit-in walkers or cots and mattresses. We are unable to collect donations, so please bring them up to us at the Hastings Centre after you have emailed us to confirm.
Donating financially
If you are able to give us a financial donation, we would be very grateful. You can do so by making a BACS transfer with the following details:
The Hastings Community Trust
Sort code: 20-27-91
Acc no: 10746738
Ref/description: Baby Basics
How can you get involved?
If you would like to get involved in, please contact us by email: babybasics@kings1066.org, or drop in on a Thursday morning between 9am and 12pm at the Hastings Centre.