Oxford Baby Boost
The Pitch
Problem statement
The All Party Parliamentary Group for Infant Feeding and Inequalities found that vulnerable families were at particular risk of hardship and that the Healthy Start Scheme is inadequate to mitigate this risk. They found that families who cannot afford infant formula may resort to unsafe infant feeding practices, such as watering down formula, or feeding unsuitable foods to young infants. Similarly, nappy insecurity can be a source of considerable stress and hardship for many parents. It also poses a major risk to infant hygiene and health. Failure to provide enough diapers increases risk for diaper dermatitis (Scheinfeld, 2005) and urinary tract infections (Sugimura et al., 2009).
Solution
We are asking for £4621.50 to purchase baby supplies (both single use and reusable nappies, formula and wipes) to bolster our existing supplies to ensure that we can continue to meet demand for the coming 6 months. We’re seeing huge levels of demand which are stretching our capacity as a small organisation who are entirely reliant on volunteers and donated funds. We often are required to call out for urgent donations of nappies (all sizes), baby wipes, baby food and formula milk in order to keep supporting vulnerable infants. This is unsustainable. Therefore, we are seeking out collaborators and partners to ensure that we can continue this vital part of OMA’s work.
Why are we best placed to deliver?
Over the past two and a half years, OMA has mobilised over 500 volunteers to successfully deliver its support. Research by the Child Poverty Action group has shown that when two parents work full time on the minimum wage, a family will be £47 a week short of the income they need to meet the basic costs of raising a child. O.M.A is the only organisation that provides free single baby essentials, regularly receiving referrals from organisations, charities and statutory agencies supporting Oxford’s young families who have nowhere else to turn. We have a dedicated case management team for families with more complex needs
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| Logistics and Coordination (5 hours p/w at 10.50 x 26 weeks): £1365 | £1,365 |
| Formula milk (15 additional tubs / week x 13 weeks) = £1969.50 | £1,969.5 |
| Nappies (550 additional nappies / week x 26) = £1287.00 | £1,287 |
Beneficiaries
500 people
Expected impact
By providing access to baby essentials to at least 148 infants per week, this project will not only address urgent short term needs but it will also lead to improved material outcomes and well-being for both infants and their parents over the longer term. Poverty is particularly devastating for children, because experiencing childhood poverty has serious long-term effects, including reduced life expectancy, poor health and poor educational outcomes. (Poverty & Inequality Commission 2020) Research has shown that an insufficient supply of nappies is not only a risk factor for poor infant and child health but also for maternal mental health (Austin&Smith, 2017; Smith et al., 2013), potentially diminishing maternal sense of competence and increasing maternal stress, which ultimately leads to potential negative impacts on child health and development. (Ashiabi&O’Neal, 2007) This project will mitigate these risks for Oxford's most vulnerable families.
Track record
OMA started as a community response to COVID-19; bringing neighbours and residents together to support each other during the hardships imposed by self-isolation and shielding. While the primary focus of our operations is to provide for the immediate and emergency food needs of vulnerable people in our city, we are also committed to finding long-term solutions to food poverty in Oxford. To date; - we have delivered over 25,000 food parcels and 30,000 freshly meals - regularly support 65 infants and their families with free single use baby essentials, as well as an average of 20 additional infants per week through ur emergency parcel support At OMA, the core principles by which we operate are showing solidarity, treating people in a dignified way and trying to empower them. "Before you came along, it's like I felt forgotten by the government. You have treated me with such care, dedication, and understanding, and you have made me feel heard and cared about."