USW student midwives raise money for families in need

(left to right) Ciera Johnson, Hilary Johnstone, and Charlotte Moses

The University of South Wales (USW) Midwifery Society, made up of students on the BSc (Hons) Midwifery course, held a coffee morning to raise funds for a local and vital charity.

Raising over £115 in a couple of hours, society members sold cakes, hot drinks, and raffle tickets, for Cwtch Baby Bank, who help vulnerable families with much-needed baby items.

Hilary Johnstone, Founder of Cwtch Baby Bank, said: “I am delighted that the Midwifery Society chose us to fundraise for. We are extremely grateful.

“I set up Cwtch Baby Bank seven years ago. I used to foster babies from newborn to adoption. When I retired, I had all this baby equipment and thought it could be of use to someone who couldn’t afford to buy new. That’s how Cwtch was born.

“We have helped over 4050 families. However, things have changed so much in the last year. The cost-of-living crisis means that the number of referrals, from health visitors, social workers etc., has easily doubled.”

Rhiannon Kozaczynski, Chair of the USW Midwifery Society, said: “We are proud to support Cwtch Baby Bank and the important work they do.

“I am grateful to my fellow society members for making this happen, especially Ciera Johnson and Charlotte Moses who organised the event, and to everyone who came along, bought cake, and said hello.

“As a society, we have big plans for more fundraising and awareness raising. Our biggest accomplishment, so far, is our Memorial Tree during Baby Loss Awareness Week. Those who had suffered a baby loss in their family had the opportunity to leave a memorial note on the tree. As a result of this activity, baby memorial plaques are being introduced in South Wales hospitals.

“We also hope to support ‘Kicks Count’ charity and help them to get the rainbow baby bundles back up and running after Covid. These are packages for people who have suffered a baby loss and are expecting another ‘rainbow’ baby. It includes a wristband they can use to count baby kicks.

“And that’s not all. We have two members who have run marathons for Women’s Aid and we are hoping to start a period poverty campaign at USW. We are a busy society and want to make a difference.”

For more information on Cwtch Baby Bank and how to donate, see their website. They also have a convenient Amazon wish list, so that donors can buy an item and it will be delivered directly to Cwtch.