Beds for Babies pilot launched to help more young children enjoy a safe space to sleep

Earlier today (Monday 7 July), our Family Hubs team officially launched our Beds for Babies pilot in Goldthorpe, an exciting initiative designed to give more of Barnsley’s youngest children a safe space to sleep.

Research shows that a good night’s sleep is not only crucial for a child’s learning and development, but it can also improve the health and wellbeing of the whole family.

Funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, this new scheme aims to tackle bed poverty by providing safe sleep options for more children aged five and under.

To celebrate this exciting offer landing in Barnsley, we welcomed families and professionals to the Dearne Family Hub this afternoon to learn more about the support on offer.

Guests got to see the different beds that can be offered to families as part of the scheme, take part in fun activities for children, showing what’s on offer at our Family Hubs, and learn more about safe sleep from trained practitioners.

As part of the pilot, the Dearne Family Hub will work closely with families across Goldthorpe, helping them to access free beds and bedding bundles. By working closely with these families, we can better understand their needs and connect them with the right support from our teams.

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.

Councillor Trevor Cave, Cabinet Spokesperson for Children’s Services, said: “We’re really proud of the role our Family Hubs play in our communities, making sure families have the right support. That’s why we’re excited to bring Beds for Babies to Barnsley, starting with our pilot in Goldthorpe, helping us give more of our young people the best possible start in life.

“This initiative will make sure our youngest children have a safe space to sleep, offering free beds and bedding to those who need it most. By working with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and Baby Basics UK, we’re proud to be tackling bed poverty in Barnsley, making sure we’re having the right conversations along the way to support families.”

South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “Every child deserves the best possible start in life, and that begins with a safe place to sleep. 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. I’m proud that we’re working together in Barnsley and across South Yorkshire to make sure no child goes without the essentials they need to thrive.”

Beds for Babies is part of the Safe Space to Sleep programme led by South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard. They have invested £2.1m into this South Yorkshire-wide initiative, working with Baby Basics UK as the delivery partner.

With Beds for Babies, families can be offered free Moses Baskets, cots and cot beds, toddler beds, mattresses and bedding bundles. The scheme is not means-tested, meaning it is open to any family living in Barnsley who needs support.

Professionals working with families in Barnsley can help us identify people who may benefit from this support. From local charities to social care professionals and health visitors, you can read more about how to refer families for support on our Virtual Family Hubs website.

You can also read more about the regional Beds for Babies scheme on the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s website.