Sarah & I met at a local toddler group, shortly after Sarah welcomed her second daughter. I was a dedicated foster carer, had witnessed firsthand the stark reality of newborns entering the care system with little to no essential supplies. The tragic loss of my fourth baby further highlighted a critical gap in support for new parents. This personal experience, coupled with our entrepreneurial spirits, sparked a “lightbulb moment”:…All babies deserve the best start in life…. and then British Baby Box was born. Starting from my dining room table, we meticulously developed our Baby Box, made from recyclable materials and most importantly made here in the UK.
Collaborating closely with Local Authorities, Charities and NHS trusts, we have ensured hundreds of thousands of families have received Baby Boxes. Starting with a desire to help new families, British Baby Box has blossomed into a six-figure business and celebrates its 10th anniversary. For Sarah.& I, this milestone is more than just business success – it’s about pushing change. Less than 20% of active UK businesses are led by women, so we feel incredibly proud to have broken these barriers to become the multi-award winning company we are today! We are now setting our sights on influencing government policy to ensure every baby in the UK receives a Baby Box and gets the best start in life.
The concept of a Baby Box – a sturdy, safe, and portable sleeping space for babies up to 6 months old, often filled with essential supplies – might seem unconventional to some. However, in Finland, it has been a cornerstone of early childhood welfare for nearly 90 years, contributing to one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world. Scotland followed suit in 2017, providing free Baby Boxes to all new parents and to date, over 400,000 Baby Boxes have been distributed across Scotland.
Inspired by these successful models, we worked with the British Standards Institute for over 4 years, to create and publish the first ever British Baby Box Standard – BS11130:2021. This standard is a testament to our hard work and commitment!!!
Today, the UK faces a stark reality: 4.5 million children are living in poverty – that’s nine in every classroom. The relentless cost-of-living crisis is hitting families harder than ever, leaving many new parents without basic essentials and increasingly reliant on food banks, baby banks and charities. Unlike Scotland, England has no such universal scheme.
British Baby Box believe this deeply unjust situation must change. No baby should be left without a safe place to sleep or the essentials they need. We need to act now!!! This conviction is why we are launching a nationwide petition, urging the UK government to provide free Baby Boxes to all new parents.
As British Baby Box enters its next decade, Sarah and I remain fiercely committed to our foundational vision: ensuring every baby has the best start in life – regardless of their background. The question now is whether Westminster will truly listen and act on this vital call for change.
Thank you to all of you who have supported us throughout our journey so far and we look forward to seeing what the next 10 years brings!!!
Sarah & Susan xx
