A Birmingham baby bank is reporting a significant shift in its user base, with growing numbers of employed parents now seeking assistance to afford essential items for their children. Kavita Kaur Dhillon and her husband Karvinder operate the Handsworth Baby and Family Bank, which distributes free nappies, infant formula, clothing and toys to families in need.
The couple initially expected to serve primarily low-income households when they began the project, but have witnessed a marked change in demand patterns. Working families are increasingly turning to the service as everyday expenses mount, indicating that full-time employment alone is no longer sufficient for many parents to cover basic childcare costs.
"We don't need any more clothing, it's the everyday essentials, formula, nappies, wipes, toiletries," said Kavita.
The bank originated after Kavita helped a mother who urgently needed formula through a Facebook request, before the couple formally established the Handsworth Baby Family Bank at Dhillons Boutique on Soho Road in January 2025. Since its launch, the service has expanded its reach and continues to grow in demand.
How has demand changed since opening?
The nature of requests has evolved considerably as the cost of living has risen. Karvinder explained that the bank's early focus was narrow, but circumstances have forced a broader approach to family support.
"Before, we mainly needed nappies," he said. "As the daily cost of living has gone up, people need help with more day-to-day things."
The couple currently face critical shortages of infant formula, often maintaining only a handful of containers in stock. This shortage reflects the intensity of current demand and highlights a gap in available support for families managing multiple expenses simultaneously.
Why does location matter for reducing stigma?
Operating from within the couple's boutique store at 170-174 Soho Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, B21 9LP has proven strategically important in normalising the service. Kavita recognised that the shared space helps mask the act of seeking assistance, allowing visitors to appear as ordinary shoppers rather than people requiring charity.
"You go out of our shop and people think you have purchased something, but in fact you've just used our baby bank," she said.
This approach addresses a persistent barrier to accessing support: the shame and social judgment that can accompany asking for help. By embedding the baby bank within a commercial retail environment, the couple has created what Kavita describes as a
"warm and welcoming space"where families can access essentials without visible stigma.
The project also connects families to broader support networks. According to Kavita's professional profile, the baby bank links families to housing and specialist support services, extending its impact beyond material provision to address underlying vulnerabilities.
What does the wider support landscape look like?
The baby bank operates within a broader ecosystem of family services in the Handsworth area. The Soho Family Hub at 21 Louise Road, Handsworth, B21 0RY provides family-hub and early-help services as part of Birmingham's coordinated approach to supporting parents and children. This integration means families accessing the baby bank can be signposted to additional resources including housing advice, parenting support and specialist interventions.
What message do the founders have for struggling families?
Kavita emphasises that financial hardship does not follow predictable patterns or visible markers. Families may present outwardly as secure while facing genuine difficulty in meeting basic needs.
"Just because you dress nice, or drive a nice car, doesn't mean you don't need help," Kavita said. "Nobody knows people's circumstances. People can judge, but the reality is people are struggling."
She urges anyone facing difficulty to seek support rather than endure hardship silently, framing assistance as a practical necessity rather than a source of shame.
"It's nothing to be ashamed of or to be scared of. There's no shame in asking for help."
For the couple, the most rewarding aspect of running the baby bank remains the direct impact on individual families. Kavita finds fulfilment in knowing she has enabled someone to meet their child's needs and experience relief from financial pressure.
"For me it is fulfilling, knowing I've been able to support or help someone else be okay and smile," Kavita said.
