Funding boost to deliver essential support to mothers and their babies in tough times

• All mothers and babies in Queensland need access to essential items during the early weeks of a baby’s life
• The Palaszczuk Government is providing $500,000 in funding to help deliver baby bundles to mothers and their newborns in need
• The bundles will include essential baby items and information so new mothers can connect to vital support services
• Funding will help support new mothers experiencing higher levels of disadvantage including those at risk of homelessness and housing stress, domestic and family violence, trauma, relationship breakdowns, and unplanned pregnancy.

The Palaszczuk Government is providing essential funding to help support and improve the lives of mothers and their newborns in need.

Funding of $500,000 will be given to ‘A Brave Life’ to assist in delivering Baby Bundles to new mothers in hospitals.

The Baby Bundle will help support mothers by giving them immediate essential items needed to provide a nurturing and safe environment for their newborn, as well as connecting them to vital support services.

The bundle will include nappies, wipes, wraps, baby clothing, toiletries, and a baby bag.

Information on the importance of immunisation, safe sleep practices, and where to access support will also be added to the bundles encouraging mothers to connect to support groups.

These mothers will be given the bundle during antenatal care or before they leave hospital with their new baby.

The Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to supporting young mothers through early intervention and support is anticipated in the Women and Girl’s Health Strategy to be finalised by the end of the year and First 2000 Days initiative.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman:

“We value the great work that ‘A Brave Life’ is doing to support Queensland mothers and their babies in need.

“This funding will assist ‘A Brave Life’ to continue supporting new mothers at risk of homelessness or experiencing housing stress, domestic and family violence, trauma, relationship breakdowns, and unplanned pregnancy.

“As Minister for Health and Minister for Women, I am committed to supporting new mothers experiencing adversity by providing them with the essential items they need to give their babies the best start to life.”

Quotes attributable to A Brave Life’s CEO and founding director Melissa Redsell:

“I was 17 when I had my daughter and was lucky enough to receive a similar bundle of gifts from an organisation that helped me in those initial weeks of motherhood and inspired me to want to give back.

“Working together with Minister Fentiman to grow this initiative will allow us to not only reach more young mothers, but all vulnerable mothers in Queensland.

“It is so important that new mothers feel equipped and ready for the arrival of their baby, and our Baby Bundles do just that.

“So far, we’ve been able to distribute 1,600 Baby Bundles a year since we started six years ago, and this new funding will allow us to reach so many more.”

ENDS