A Birmingham baby bank says it is helping a growing number of people in full-time work who are struggling to afford essentials for their children. Kavita Kaur Dhillon and her husband Karvinder run the Handsworth Baby and Family Bank on Soho Road, which provides free items including nappies, baby formula, clothes and toys. The couple said the majority of people they first helped were from low-income households, but they were now seeing more working families needing support with everyday costs. “We don’t need any more clothing, it’s the everyday essentials, formula, nappies, wipes, toiletries,” said Kavita.
Karvinder said demand had shifted in recent years. “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 said they were currently in desperate need of baby formula and often had only a handful of tubs left in stock. “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.” The bank, which operates from inside the couple’s Dhillons Boutique store, has been helping families since 2024. Kavita believed sharing a space with the shop helped remove some of the stigma that can come with asking for support. “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.
She described it as a “warm and welcoming space” and said demand had continued to grow since it opened. For the couple, supporting families remains the most rewarding part of the project. “For me it is fulfilling, knowing I’ve been able to support or help someone else be okay and smile,” Kavita said. She urged anyone who was struggling not to suffer in silence.
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of or to be scared of. There’s no shame in asking for help.” Tell us which stories we should cover in Birmingham and the Black Country Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, external, X, external and Instagram, external. ‘I live in survival mode’: The rise of the multi-job workforce The 20-somethings juggling three jobs to make ends meet Pram appeal as charity sees rising demand Couple aim to combat negativity with baby bank Handsworth Baby and Family Bank
