Beds for Babies initiative rolled out in Barnsley

A pilot project aimed at providing a bed for all children aged five or under has been launched in Barnsley.

The Beds for Babies scheme is funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.

As part of the scheme, any family in need of support can access free Moses Baskets, cots and cot beds, toddler beds, mattresses and bedding bundles.

South Yorkshire Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: "Every child deserves the best possible start in life, and that begins with a safe place to sleep."

The pilot scheme in Goldthorpe builds on the Beds for Babies programme launched by the mayor in 2024.

So far, £2.1m have been invested into the county-wide initiative, working with Baby Basics UK as the delivery partner.

Coppard said: "By supporting families in Barnsley through Beds for Babies, we're not just tackling bed poverty – we're investing in healthier, happier futures for everyone.

"Within the first year of Beds for Babies, we have supported over 1,900 children and provided more than 3,800 essential items."

A ceremony to celebrate the launch in Goldthorpe saw families across the borough learn more about the support on offer at the Dearne Family Hub.

As part of the pilot the hub will work closely with families across the village, helping them access free beds and bedding bundles, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council said.

"By working closely with these families, we can better understand their needs and connect them with the right support from our teams," a spokesperson said.

"Our Family Hubs are committed to learning from this pilot as we roll out Beds for Babies across the borough in the coming months, helping more families get the support they need sooner."

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