'I try hard to budget but wonder how I'll cope'

"I try my hardest every month to budget for things that we need. My needs are secondary, it's about my son," says Kirsty, who uses a baby bank in north-west London.

She is one of many people supported by the Brent branch of Little Village, a charity where people who are struggling to afford the basics can collect items for their young children.

Branch manager, Renata Acioli, said there was "a lot of need" locally: "When we open our referrals every morning, we have a referral in every 40 to 50 seconds."

A recent report by the charity looking at the emotional toll of child poverty on parents found that in extreme cases, people in desperate need had considered putting their children up for adoption as a last resort.

Kirsty said she had not predicted that she would need the support of a baby bank, but said the extra help was needed.

She said: "It can feel almost like you're alone in situations, because you're just thinking: 'How am I going to manage? How am I going to cope?'

"But you just have to look on the brighter side of things, and that's something that I personally do."

Last year, Little Village reached families across every London borough, supporting children nearly 12,000 times, a 27% increase from 2024.

A report from the charity found that 40% of parents receiving its support felt anxious about providing for their children, while one in four reported feeling very low, hopeless or struggling with their mental health.

Many families also described feelings of isolation.

After leaving an abusive relationship, one parent told the charity: "I was so scared. I was worried about buying nappies, clothes, and everything else you need for a newborn.

"The thought of not being able to provide for my baby made me think about adoption.

"I didn't want him to suffer. I just wanted the best life for him which I didn't think I could provide. I had nothing, but Little Village gave me everything I needed, and I left the hospital happy and at ease. I don't know what I would have done without the help."

Acioli said they gifted parents everything from bundles of clothes for new babies to toddler beds, bikes and toys.

"There's a lot of need. We cannot support all the families who need the help," she added.