Rotherham Council’s new baby packs will soon start to be delivered to pregnant women across the borough after registration for them opened.
The Council has invested £360,000 as part of its family-friendly budget in the Rotherham Baby Packs, which aim to provide essential items to families with newborns and forms part of the Council’s commitment to ensuring that every child in Rotherham gets the best possible start in life.
Each pack contains clothing, a toy, a book, and other useful items for the first six months, all packed in a sturdy storage box that can later be used as a memory box.
Starting from Monday 6 January 2025, pregnant women in Rotherham whose baby is due on or after Monday 7 April will be offered the opportunity to register to receive a baby pack. Midwives will discuss the scheme and register pregnant women for it at their 25-week appointment.
Packs will start to be delivered from Monday 24 March.
On average, there are 2,740 babies born each year who live in Rotherham and all will be eligible to receive a pack.
Cllr Joanna Baker-Rogers, Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Public Health said: “We believe that every child deserves the best possible start in life. The Rotherham Baby Pack scheme is a significant investment in our community, ensuring that new families have access to essential items right from the beginning of their child’s life and I’m delighted that registration is now open and packs will soon start to be given out.”
Cllr Victoria Cusworth, Cabinet Member for Children and Young Peoples Services said: “Providing all children with the best start in life means starting from the beginning. That’s why I’m so pleased that we are going to be able to support new parents with these products, as well as ensuring that they get timely help and support from our local services.”
Sarah Petty, Head of Midwifery at The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are excited to be involved in this project supporting all families to give their newborns the best start in life.”
Continued support for children and families in Rotherham is provided through the Council’s Family Hubs network. Families should register with their Local Family Hub by visiting the registration page.
The baby packs are being delivered by FMI on behalf of Rotherham Council.
For more information about The Rotherham Baby Pack visit Rotherham Baby packs – Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council