Greater Manchester Mayor Bev Craig has unveiled a major expansion of the region's baby bundle programme, pledging to increase the number of free newborn care packages available to vulnerable families from 1,500 to 10,000 by autumn next year.
The initiative forms a key part of the Mayor's commitment to ensure every child in Greater Manchester gets the best possible start in life, with additional plans to establish access to a baby bank in every borough across the city region.
During a visit to the Family Hub in Leigh, Wigan, Craig met with parents and early years professionals before announcing the significant expansion of the scheme, which provides practical support to families experiencing financial hardship, homelessness, or unstable housing conditions.
Each baby bundle contains a range of essential items designed to support parents during the critical first weeks of a child's life. Contents include a Moses basket, bedding, room and oral thermometers, a baby's first toothbrush, toys and books.
The programme operates through referrals from healthcare professionals and Greater Manchester's network of baby banks, ensuring support reaches families most in need. Beyond providing practical items, the scheme also acts as a gateway to wider support services available within local communities.
Research highlights the importance of a child's earliest years in shaping long-term health, development and life opportunities. Yet nearly 30% of children under five across Greater Manchester are currently growing up in poverty, underlining the need for targeted early intervention.
The announcement marks the second major policy commitment made by Craig during her first week in office, following plans announced earlier this week to extend the region's Our Pass scheme and provide free Bee Network bus travel for 11 to 16-year-olds.
Speaking about the expanded baby bundle programme, Bev Craig, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:
“Every child deserves the best possible start in life, from their first days as a newborn right through to their first day at work — and I’m committed to building a Greater Manchester where every child has that opportunity.
“Baby bundles are a practical way to help families during one of the most important periods in a child's life, giving parents access to essential items alongside connections to wider support when they need it most.
"That’s why today I am making a commitment to rollout 10,000 of these bundles to parents who need them the most by autumn next year and making sure that families have access to a baby bank in every borough of Greater Manchester.
"We want to expand our network of baby banks in our city region that, with the help of volunteers and the charity sector, provide vital support to families every week. This new baby bundle offer means that we can reach even more families who need and deserve our support. It isn't just about providing essentials, it's about helping families access the wider support available in their community so that every child can get the best possible start in life.
“This is part of our Live Well mission to make sure people can get the support they need, close to home, through trusted relationships in every neighbourhood. This support starts before birth.”
Alongside essential baby items, families receiving a bundle will gain access to information and services that can help them navigate parenthood and financial pressures.
As the programme develops, recipients will be connected to a range of local support services, including:
- Family Hubs
- Parenting support programmes
- Financial wellbeing advice
- Community organisations
- Local family activities and services
The approach aligns with Greater Manchester's wider Live Well ambitions and its long-term strategy to improve outcomes for children and young people.
The city region currently has a coordinated network of 10 baby banks, supported through funding from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). These organisations provide vital resources including baby clothes, nappies and other essentials to families struggling with rising living costs.
Through closer collaboration, the baby banks are able to share resources, increase public awareness and improve their ability to support parents across Greater Manchester.
The baby bundle programme is already making a measurable impact, with around 1,750 bundles expected to have been delivered to families in need by October this year. The planned expansion represents a significant step up in support and reflects the city's broader focus on tackling child poverty and improving early years outcomes.
Image credit: iStock
