Beresfords Supports the Essentials in Life

27th April 2021

Billericay Baby Basics is receiving a welcome funding boost from the Beresford Foundation for its work supporting mothers and families who are struggling to cope with the financial pressures of looking after a new baby.

The charity, which was only recently established, is already proving to be of huge benefit to local families. Based in the Revival Church in Billericay, Baby Basics also covers the Basildon and Wickford areas. A grant of £800 will help them to buy essential items including shelving, storage boxes and bags as well as enabling them to produce leaflets and a banner to help publicise their work.

The Beresford Foundation was set up by the award-winning estate agents in 2015 and is managed by the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation (ECF). Grants are awarded annually from their Foundation to support local charities and voluntary groups in the county.

Paul Beresford, chairman and managing director, said: Being a business with over 50 years' experience of working in Essex and London, we are committed to supporting charities and projects in the areas where we work.

Many of our customers are families with young children who are trying to buy their first home or make the next step on the housing ladder.

Billiericay Baby Basics really resonated with us. We have seen how the pandemic has put a financial strain on many families, especially those who have lost jobs or been furloughed.  Having a new baby adds a whole extra layer of cost, so helping those who, for many reasons may find themselves struggling is something we are very pleased to support.

Jane Robb, Team Leader at Billericay Baby Basics said, "We are delighted and grateful to receive this funding which has helped us to get properly set up and promote our services.

It is thanks to support from local companies like Beresfords, who are working with ECF, that we are able to support families who are finding it difficult to cope. We help mums in all manner of circumstances, they can be young teenagers as well as women fleeing domestic abuse or trafficking.

They are referred to us through different services and we are pleased to help them with the basics they need to keep their babies fed, clean and safe until they can get back on their feet. We know that the Baby Basics service will provide relief and help in the midst of the challenging circumstances that these mums and families are facing."

Paul added, "We are very pleased to be working so effectively with the team at ECF. Establishing and growing a long-term charitable fund means that each year we will give support to causes we see as a priority and those that are making such a difference to people's lives in the communities where we work."

To find out more about ECF and how you can support your local community through them visit: www.essexcommunityfoundation.org.uk.