AN organisation which has been a valuable resource for families and carers in the Somer Valley is making an urgent appeal for support as it faces an uncertain future.

Small Stuff Baby Bank, based in Radstock, provides free clothes, toys, and equipment for children up to the age of 15 but is at risk of closure.

With more than 2,000 members, including parents, carers, and foster families, the baby bank has become an important resource for people in Bath and North East Somerset since it was established in 2019.

The organisations base at Leigh House has been sold and organisers have two to three months to find alternative premises.

Efforts to secure a new location have so far been unsuccessful and without a suitable base, the charity’s ability to operate is at risk.

Rachel Steeper, founder of Small Stuff Baby Bank, said: “It’s been an absolute honour to run the baby bank for the last five years. In an ideal world, we’d continue to run it voluntarily, from a large warehouse.”

“Unfortunately, it’s not an ideal world, and we now find ourselves facing very difficult decisions. For me, the priority is that the baby bank continues to support local families and carers. It has always been appreciated and enjoyed a huge amount of local support. But now, in a cost of living crisis, it is an essential resource for many families.

“To continue, with the current staff and in a similar format, we desperately need a new base — ideally some ground-floor space and in the region of 1,400 square feet. We also need salaries, to reduce the impact of the cost of living crisis on our families.”

Community support is being sought to address the charity’s immediate needs, including securing funding for salaries and finding affordable premises in the Radstock area.

One mum, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “There aren’t many local places you can stop for a cup of tea, a chat with a wonderful lady and leave with a handful of things you just sadly cannot afford for your children.

“Rachel and the baby bank are needed and supported by our local community. I, and so many others, will have everything crossed for them to find a new building to keep on doing the amazing things they do.’”

Anyone who can support the organisation is encouraged to visit smallstuffbabybank.co.uk or contact the team via its Facebook page.