A growing number of families in Lincolnshire are relying on baby banks for essential supplies as the cost-of-living crisis continues to mount. Local services in areas such as Market Rasen, Horncastle, and Grimsby are experiencing higher demand, with some anticipating a further increase during the summer school holidays.
According to the Baby Bank Alliance’s latest survey, 220,000 families across the UK accessed baby banks in 2024, up from 163,000 in 2023. Over 3.5 million items such as nappies, clothing, and cots were distributed last year, a 143% year-on-year rise.
The Market Rasen Baby Bank, which launched less than two years ago, reported that usage has quadrupled in just six months, with 76 families now regularly using the service across the town and surrounding villages.
The data reflect a broader trend of financial strain among working households, where both parents are often employed but still struggle to meet their monthly expenses. Rising nursery fees, up 10% on average following recent changes to employer taxation, have added to the burden, as reported by the National Day Nurseries Association.
Local businesses are helping fill the gap with donations, but organisers warn that the financial stress facing families is unlikely to ease anytime soon.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Анастасія Стягайло
