Hillhouse Bairns Boxes Go National

Good news for new and expectant parents!

Nicola Sturgeon and the Scottish National Party have recently stated that they support the introduction of a Finnish-style free "Baby Box", containing all the essentials a new parent might need for their baby. This is a measure meant to address the growing problem of child poverty in Scotland.

However, this indispensable service is already available through Hillhouse, under the name of Bairns Boxes.

If you have recently had a baby, you can apply for one personally, and have it sent to you absolutely free. It contains the following items:

• 2 baby blankets
• 1 pack of babygros
• 1 pack of vests
• 3 hand-knitted cardigans
• hats
• socks
• 2 baby outfits (0-3 month size, and 3-6 month size)
• soap
• pack of 24 disposable nappies
• Moses basket (available upon request)
• cotton wool
• baby lotion
• baby bubble bath
• baby wipes
• teddy bear

Each Bairns Box is assembled by volunteers and funded by charity, with items from Tesco, Asda, and, of course, handmade knitted products, so there is no cost to the parent and you can simply request one (or "self-refer") by calling Eileen on 01563 523362.

Hillhouse began as a residential home for women who had nowhere to live while pregnant. When the baby was born, the organisation gave them what was then known as a "layette". When the house closed, this tradition kept going and became known as a baby starter pack, finally arriving at the name Bairns Boxes after media discussion of a similar scheme in Finland.

The Bairns Boxes are funded by the sale of donations of clothes, toys and other such items by members of the public. The money raised from those sales funds the contents of each box, with the exception of


Hillhouse receives donations of clothes, toys and so on from members of the public and from the sales of these purchase the Bairns Box contents. Volunteers make the boxes up and there are no criteria for approval except having a newborn. Hillhouse works with several corporations and charities, and is a member of CRNS (Community Resources Network Scotland).