Lewisham Management Team volunteers with MammaKind

The GLL Lewisham Management Team volunteered with MammaKind at the Salvation Army in Lewisham.

MammaKind is a baby bank providing clothes, toys, baby equipment, essential hygiene items and baby food to families in poverty in the south-east London boroughs of Bromley, Bexley, Greenwich and Lewisham.

The GLL Lewisham Management team sorted through donated brand new school uniforms from Tesco's into ages and types. Once sorted they went into bags ready to get distributed to those in need. Whilst at MamaKind team members also supported taking in donations from the public as well as help sort out a store cupboard and fill a transit van. 

The majority of the families MammaKind support are headed by a single mother and many face additional disadvantages, such as disability or having experienced violence, and have no recourse to public funds. Referral partners to MamaKind, include children’s centres, midwives, charities, food banks and community referrers, MammaKind identify those who need help and ensure they receive a tailored package of supplies. Removing the immediate fear about where the next nappy is coming from. 

With help and support from the MammaKind Team, we sorted 7 full boxes of donated uniform as well as supporting other tasks whilst we were there. MamaKind have also donated swimming costumes to Peabody Housing Association for their holiday swimming sessions at Glass Mill Leisure Centre.

The team gave up their time on Friday 28th February between 10am and 2pm. Which is one of the 3 days during the week MammaKind are open for donations. The other two days being Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Leisure centres in Lewisham are run by charitable social enterprise GLL under the ‘Better’ brand. Supporting the wellbeing of local communities is an important part of the organisation’s ethos.

"We were more than happy to help out at this fantastic charity," GLL’s Community Sports Manager, Matthew Houghton comments. "Volunteering there is in line with GLL's Values.”

To find out more about MammaKind and the fantastic work they do please visit https://mammakind.org.uk/