Pregnancy Help Hastings and Napier volunteers celebrate five years of the service that started in a midwife's laundry and now supports about 200 local women monthly. Photo / Derek Rossiter
Pregnancy Help Hastings and Napier volunteers celebrate five years of the service that started in a midwife's laundry and now supports about 200 local women monthly. Photo / Derek Rossiter
A volunteer-run project started by a group of women in a midwife’s laundry room has grown into a service supporting 8000 Hawke’s Bay families.
As the world prepares to mark International Women’s Day, the local branch of Pregnancy Help is reflecting on five years helping mothers and whānau across Hastingsand Napier.
What began as a small community initiative now supports about 200 women each month, providing free baby clothing and equipment donated by the Hawke’s Bay community.
In five years, the branch has distributed more than 600,000 items to thousands of families, while also diverting significant amounts of reusable goods from landfill.
The service celebrated its milestone last weekend at the Elwood Function Centre, joined by Hastings Mayor Wendy Schollum, councillors and community leaders.
Branch coordinator Suzy Ratcliffe, left, Suzanne Rose, Mayor Schollum and Vickie Hope celebrate the Pregnancy Help Hastings and Napier fifth anniversary. Photo / Derek Rossiter
Branch coordinator Suzy Ratcliffe said the organisation was built on women supporting women.
“We have a committee of all women and all our volunteers are women,” Ratcliffe told Hawke’s Bay Today.
“That creates a really strong kaupapa for us, supporting each other and supporting women in the community.”
She said having a baby could be an isolating time, and one goal of the organisation was to help women stay connected.
“We help them find midwives, we often will suggest organisations and classes that they can attend so that they keep that connection,” Ratcliffe said.
“We know there is a strong link between a mother’s wellbeing and a child’s wellbeing.”
The Hastings branch currently operates from Railway Rd with about 10 active volunteers, supported by a wider network of people who knit, sew, wash and repair donated items.
While there is no Napier branch yet, the service supports Napier families through pop-up events and by sending baby packs through the post.
“We rely fully on the community donating to us. So, whilst we feel like we’re supporting women and families, we also know that they are supporting us too,” Ratcliffe said.
“It’s not about financial donations. It’s about people who don’t have much, but they still come back and give back to us.”
She said the work often goes beyond providing clothing or equipment.
One mother the group supported had been living in emergency housing, and the organisation helped out with supplies.
“She later told us what a difference it made. It’s not even about the items, it’s about feeling supported and knowing someone cares,” Ratcliffe said.
The organisation also provides miscarriage support packs, created by a volunteer who experienced pregnancy loss and wanted to help other women facing the same situation.
Guest speakers at the anniversary event included Hawke’s Bay paediatrician and former Children’s Commissioner Dr Russell Wills, who spoke about the importance of investing in early childhood.
“We must prioritise services like Pregnancy Help that support pregnant women and whānau with young children. Because it’s the right thing to do, but also for self-interest,” Wills said.
“Our economy depends on our children becoming productive citizens. The time when investment will make the biggest difference is the early years.”
