Referrals

If you work to support families or children who are vulnerable or experiencing hardship in Surrey, or the surrounding area, then you can make a referral to us on their behalf.

Please note, we do not work directly with individuals or families. If you are in need of help, please speak directly to a support agency such as your home school link worker, local family centre (find your nearest Surrey family centre by borough/district), housing support, family support, health visitor or social worker.

Our service is free of charge and there is no assessment criteria, but items will need to be collected from our offices in Reigate by the referral partner.

We are always quick to respond to the referrals we receive as we know all too well the urgency behind these requests.

View the list of items we do and don't generally have in stock (PDF)

Here's how to make a referral

1 From your work email account, please email refer@stripeystork.org.uk with a list of items needed and supporting information:

Age/gender of each child (indicating if a different clothes size is required).
Any known interests for each child so we can customise the bundle accordingly.
The borough/postcode of the family.
The reason for the referral.
If the request is urgent/when the items are needed by.

2 Once the items are ready, you will be contacted. Our storage space is limited so we would appreciate it if items could be collected promptly. Our offices are open for referral collections term time only, Monday to Friday 9:30am-1pm. See Contact page for more details.

Please allow plenty of time to be shown how to assemble and operate the larger items, such as cots and prams.

A rule which we live by at Stripey Stork is that our recipients should feel like they are receiving a gift and not a hand out, so all of the pre-loved items we re-distribute are clean, stain-free and in good working order.

As well as our day to day operations, we are well-placed in our community to undertake specific projects as the need arises.
See blog posts on our Bags4School, Easter Bags and Stork Sacks projects.

Referrals since opening in 2013

Referrals so far this year

Essentials for babies & children

Our warehouse is well-stocked with new and pre-loved items, so we are able to provide all of the essentials needed for babies and children. For a list of the items we stock (and don’t), please refer to the below list. There may be a waiting list for some of the larger, more popular items, such as prams.

What we do and don't stock

New baby packs for expectant mums

We can also provide beautifully packaged new baby packs for the expectant Mums on your caseload. And, whenever possible, we like to include some ‘pick-me up’ items for the parents/carers - if you feel they would really benefit from one of these, please let us know.

School items

We understand that buying school items for children can be a costly overhead for parents who are already struggling, which is why we have collated this list of school items we can usually help with.
See our ‘Ready4School’ blog for more information.

Ready4School information

“What comes out of that warehouse is far more than practical - it's the glue that holds communities together. The message that says - you matter and we'll help you get back on your feet.”

“Not only does it provide family with all the essentials they need, but it also provides them with the knowledge that people care! It also really helps us develop a relationship with the families that we are working with, helping to breakdown the barrier between a family and surrey children's services.”

“To be able to offer quality clothes and toys to our families who are living in poverty is so helpful, and they really do appreciate it. The quality is always amazing, and it can have such a positive impact to children and their families to have toys to play with, books to read and clothes to wear. To have such a fantastic resource on our doorstep is so beneficial, and very much appreciated. It does make a real difference.”

Turning a corner

This case study was kindly prepared by one of our referral partners. One family I came across were struggling in many ways. Mum was very low, in debt and in poor housing. She was overwhelmed by her circumstances and felt

Read this story »

Christmas will not be cancelled!

Christmas will not be cancelled! Imagine having to tell your children that they won’t be receiving any presents at Christmas. No presents at all. Children

Read this story >

If you are a family support worker, sign up to the referrals mailing list to be kept up to date with our latest news.

Join the Stripey Stork mailing list

Stripey Stork - Family Support. Recycled

51a Albert Road North
Reigate
Surrey
RH2 9EL

Registered as a charity in England and Wales 1161613

Our website is funded by the Merstham Millennium Trust

Site Links

What we do
Donate Items
Donate Funds
Donate Time
Corporate Volunteering
Latest News
Contact us

Our Policies

Stripey Stork Privacy Policy
Stripey Stork Cookies Policy

Other Baby Banks

Our focus is the Surrey region. If you are in a different region, see our map of UK baby banks to find one near you.

website by oh creative ltd