The Northampton office was delighted to announce Baby Basics Northampton as our new charity partner for 2026/2027—a remarkable, volunteer-led organisation dedicated to supporting new parents and newborns in vulnerable situations.
Published: 25 September 2026
Author: Dawn Jones
Supporting families when it matters most
Baby Basics provides vital practical support to families facing significant challenges at the start of a child’s life. The charity supplies Moses baskets filled with essential items to mothers and increasingly fathers who are struggling to cope with the financial and practical demands of caring for a newborn.
Families are referred to Baby Basics for a variety of reasons, including:
- financial hardship
- housing instability
- isolation
- refugee status
- domestic violence
Working closely with midwives, health visitors, and other professional groups, Baby Basics ensures that help reaches those who need it most, exactly when they need it.
Care, compassion, and community
At the heart of Baby Basics is a dedicated network of volunteers. These individuals lovingly collect, sort, and package Moses baskets, carefully filling them with clothing, toiletries, and essential baby equipment. Many go the extra mile, creating beautifully themed baskets—such as animals or rainbows—adding a personal and uplifting touch for new parents during difficult times. The moses baskets also contain leaflets to help guide them to other organisations, for example they work alongside Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Services to provide important fire safety advice and information about home fire safety checks.
Making a real impact
Since its establishment in 2013, Baby Basics Northampton has achieved an extraordinary impact:
- supported more than 3,500 families across the county
- provided 556 newborn babies with a safe place to sleep in 2025 alone
- supporting approximately 1 in every 14 babies born in Northamptonshire
These figures highlight not only the scale of their work, but also the growing need for their services.
Celebrating a new chapter
We were honoured to attend the opening of Baby Basics’ new office, where Abbie Surr and Dawn Jones represented Shoosmiths. In response to an urgent appeal from the charity, we brought along much-needed donations including nappies, baby shampoo, cotton pads, toothbrushes, and toothpaste.
The event marked a significant milestone for the charity, with the Mayor of Northampton officially opening the new premises. During the ceremony, Sabrina Oakey, CEO of Baby Basics, presented Shoosmiths with a certificate of appreciation in recognition of our partnership.
A passionate and purpose-driven team
During the visit, we had the opportunity to meet the charity’s small but dedicated team of staff, trustees, and volunteers. Their passion and commitment were evident in every conversation, reflecting the profound difference they make to families in crisis.
Baby Basics is also deeply committed to sustainability. Any donated items they cannot use are passed on to a network of other organisations, with many of these charities returning the support in kind. This collaborative approach not only reduces waste, but also strengthens the wider charitable community.
Looking ahead
Baby Basics has expressed their enthusiasm for the partnership, recognising the many ways we can support their mission, including:
- fundraising initiatives to provide essential items for Moses baskets
- volunteer opportunities for Shoosmiths employees
- raising awareness of their work through social media and community engagement
The Northampton office is incredibly proud to be working alongside Baby Basics Northampton and look forward to making a meaningful impact together—helping give every child the best possible start in life.