Weymouth Baby Bank Launches 2027 Business Appeal

Family Matters Baby Bank is calling on businesses to help support local families facing difficult times by choosing the Weymouth charity as their Charity of the Year for 2027.

With Christmas approaching, the volunteer-run charity is asking businesses planning a festive donation to consider making it the start of a year of support. A year-long partnership would give colleagues a shared local cause to support through fundraising activities and workplace events, while helping the charity plan ahead.

The appeal comes against a backdrop of significant deprivation in parts of Weymouth and Portland. According to Dorset Council’s 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation bulletin, five neighbourhoods in the area are among the 10% most deprived in England.

Based in Granby in Weymouth, Family Matters collects good-quality, pre-loved items donated by local families and passes them on free of charge to those who need support. These include prams, cots, high chairs, clothing, school uniforms, toys and other essentials for babies and young children.

Since it was established in 2019, the charity has supported over 2,500 families across Weymouth, Portland and surrounding areas of Dorset. Between January and September 2026, 312 different families turned to Family Matters for help.

Debbie Sandels, Chair of Family Matters Baby Bank, said: “We are here to make life a little easier for families going through a difficult time. Thanks to the generosity of local people who donate items they no longer need, we can provide everything from cots and prams to clothes, school uniforms and toys. We are incredibly grateful for everything people donate, and for the time our volunteers give, but we also need funds to cover our premises and ongoing running costs. Having businesses support us throughout the year would help us meet those costs and plan ahead, so we can continue providing essential items free of charge to local families.”

The charity welcomes support from businesses of all sizes, from sole traders to large companies, through fundraising activities, sponsored challenges, workplace events or other initiatives that suit their time and resources.

Helen Rewse, Family Matters Baby Bank Trust Secretary, added: “Choosing Family Matters as your Charity of the Year gives colleagues a shared cause to get behind. Planning events and taking on fundraising challenges together can strengthen working relationships and give staff a sense of pride in what they achieve. For businesses, it is also a practical way to show their commitment to the local community. We would keep supporters updated on the difference their fundraising makes and recognise their contribution by sharing their stories and photographs through our website and social media.”

Businesses interested in making Family Matters Baby Bank their Charity of the Year for 2027 can find out more at www.familymattersbabybank.org or email family.matters.wandp@gmail.com.