It was back to work as usual following the weekend’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations when the Duchess of Cambridge paid a visit to a northwest London baby bank on Wednesday.
Kate stepped out for a visit to Little Village Brent to learn more about how the charity supports around 40 families each week, meeting with volunteers who sort through the donations and meeting families supported by the organisation.
According to Kensington Palace, Little Village is the biggest baby bank network in London, operating eight locations that support families with children from birth to age five.
“It was incredible to meet The Duchess of Cambridge; she was really kind and listened to what I had to say,” said one mother, using the pseudonym Sara, in a statement on the Little Village website. “I told The Duchess how much Little Village has helped us. They have been like a second family to me.”
Little Village supports families by providing “preloved kids’ clothes, baby essentials and links to key services to families in challenging circumstances such as homelessness, unemployment, low wages or domestic abuse,” according to its website, and works to change the system that creates these challenges.
“The Duchess really took her time to talk to our staff and volunteers, who all said how down to earth she was and how engaged and interested she was in the work of Little Village,” said the charity’s CEO, Sarah Livingston, in a statement.
“This is set to be our busiest year yet, and we expect to see a thousand more children than we did in 2021, and we know that baby banks across the country are facing similar demand.
“This boost from The Duchess will help to shine a light on the work of baby banks and will hopefully lead to increased support for their much-needed work.”
Following her visit, Kensington Palace shared photos on social media, captioning them: “It’s wonderful to hear how volunteers work closely with each individual family to understand their personal needs, providing tailored support in a way that ensures they are treated with love, kindness and dignity.”
The Duchess’s visit to Little Village Brent continues her work with baby banks, which began during the pandemic in 2020 when she organised donations from 19 British brands to donate more than 10,000 new items to more than 40 baby banks around the UK, including those operated by Little Village.
The royal has also paid visits to baby banks in Sheffield and West Norfolk.
