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What we do
Similar to a Food Bank, The Kids Bank HQ based in Lakeside shopping centre - Thurrock, Bretons Manor - Havering and Marks Gate Community Hub - Marks Gate is a registered Charity (Registration number. 1198462) providing support with children's basic necessities to struggling families living in Thurrock, Havering, Barking and Dagenham areas. These items range from clothing, nappies, formula and toys, all the way through to cots and pushchairs.
All of these items are pre-loved and donated by people within the local community. We also like to provide our families with essential hygiene items such as sanitary towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shower gel etc.
We work on a referral basis, frontline professionals such as Local Authorities, NHS staff, food banks, schools and other Charities send families they believe to be struggling to us directly, via submitting an online referral form. We are also now pleased to announce we accept self referrals. This means families can come to us directly for support. To ensure the support gets to where its needed, sometimes we may ask families to provide proof of need. This can be done by providing us with proof of income. We will discuss this further if we require it.
All referrals can be made here)
In addition to this, we also run a pre-Loved children Boutique called KidEco. This is not only our central hub for referred families to collect from (giving them the same high street experience as everyone else). We also sell excess stock at affordable prices ranging from £1-£5 per item. Every penny raised instore goes directly into our Charity, to enable us to continue supporting struggling families. Our store also contains a soft play area for children under the age of 5. A great way to meet other parents and allow the children a fun time out or buggy break.
Please Note: If you would rather the items you donate to us are not sold to help us raise funds, and only used to provide to the families we support. Please let our team know when you drop the items down. We only ever sell excess stock. Our supported families come first.
You can find out more about our KidEco store here.
Our Referral Partners
To make sure our support gets to the families in genuine need, and to ensure general safeguarding, we work alongside referral partners. These people are front line professionals and have witnessed first-hand the families that are struggling and that would greatly benefit from our service.
We are proud to work alongside these fantastic agencies.
If you are an Organisation or Charity that supports families in the Thurrock and surrounding areas, we would love to work alongside you. Please head over to our online referral page here or contact us for more information.
