Welcoming It Takes a Village to UBC Thursby House

UBC Thursby House Supporting Vulnerable Families Across the Wirral

We’re delighted to welcome It Takes a Village, a volunteer‑led charity on the Wirral, to their new home at UBC Thursby House. Founded by Kirsty Foley and co‑founded by Amy Roberts, the organisation exists with one clear purpose: to make sure vulnerable families with babies and young children never go without the essentials they need to thrive.

We caught up with It Takes a Village to hear about the charity and how they support families across the Wirral.

For those who may not know you, can you tell us a bit about It Takes a Village?

“It Takes a Village is a volunteer-led charity founded by Kirsty Foley, an NHS midwife and co-founded by Amy Roberts with a background in social care. We provide free essential items to vulnerable families with babies and young children across the Wirral, ensuring that every family has the basics they need to thrive. We operate as a baby bank and all of our services are accessed via professional referral, meaning help goes to those truly in need. We also run the Maternity Dignity Project, supporting new parents with toiletries, sanitary items, and reusable products so no mother enters hospital without the basics to stay clean and dignified regardless of her circumstances.”

Who do you support and how do families typically access your help?

“We support vulnerable families in the most deprived areas of the Wirral, including new parents and babies. Families do not self-refer; all support is accessed via professional referral from midwives, health visitors, social care professionals, and partner organisations. This ensures that support is targeted, safe, and effective, and allows families to be connected to long-term services alongside the essential items we provide.”

What need does your work address locally across the Wirral?

“Wirral has had no sustainable baby bank or maternity support service like this, while neighbouring towns and cities have had these for many years. Families were going without essential items and safe sleep equipment. It Takes a Village fills this critical local gap, providing immediate support where it’s needed most, and ensuring no child goes without the basics they need to survive, grow, and thrive.”

What kind of services will you be delivering from Thursby House?

“Thursby House is our operational hub. We do not see families directly; instead, we take and finalise professional referrals, assemble baby and maternity parcels, and meet with health, social care, and community professionals to coordinate support. This allows families to receive the right essentials safely and efficiently, while professionals can rely on a consistent, structured service to help their most vulnerable families.”

Why was UBC and Thursby House the right fit for your organisation?

“UBC and Thursby House provide a safe, accessible, and professional base that aligns with our values of community and collaboration. The space allows us to coordinate referrals comfortably and safely, store and assemble essential items, and meet with professionals in an inviting space while remaining connected to the local community we serve.”

How can businesses or individuals support It Takes a Village?

“Businesses and individuals can support us through donations of new or preloved items, financial donations which go directly to running our service to the families we support, volunteering or fundraising initiatives, and corporate partnerships. We also run a 50:50 Club, a community lottery-style fundraiser that supports our work while giving participants a chance to win a 50:50 split pot prize 50% to our charity and 50% to the winner, this will assist our ongoing costs alongside grants and funds. Monetary Donations fund items that cannot be reused, such as brand new firm Moses mattresses due to safe sleep regulations, toiletries, and sustainable sanitary products. All other items are safely repurposed, and saved from landfill helping families while reducing waste.”

What does the future look like for the organisation?

“We aim to expand reach and sustainability, providing more essential items and support for families in need. With continued support, we can ensure this vital service continues to thrive, filling a gap that has existed for years. Our goal is that no child goes without the essentials they need, and all families accessing the service are connected to long-term professional support.”

Where can we find you?

“You can find us at Room 11, West Wing, Thursby House.

Our website is www.wirralbabybank.com and our email is referrals@wirralbabybank.com.

You can also find us on Facebook at It Takes a Village - Wirral Baby Bank and on Instagram at @ittakes.avillage 

Wirral has already shown incredible generosity through donations of preloved items, and with further financial and social support, we can ensure this vital service continues to thrive, helping every baby and family in need.”