Our Maternity Dignity Toiltries Project

For many parents, preparing a hospital bag is an exciting milestone. For others, it becomes a source of anxiety and worry about what they cannot afford, creating an invisible barrier at an already vulnerable time. No one should arrive at hospital feeling unprepared, uncomfortable, or different because of financial hardship. Our project aims to break down this barrier by providing carefully prepared maternity dignity packs that restore comfort, confidence, and self-worth during pregnancy, hospital stays, and the postnatal period. Through professionally referred, thoughtfully assembled packs, we reduce stress, support wellbeing, and promote equality at a critical life stage, because dignity, care, and compassion should never depend on income.

Why We Chose These Items

The items included in our Maternity Dignity Packs have been carefully selected based on professional insight, lived experience, and the practical realities of pregnancy, hospital stays, and postnatal recovery. Each item serves a clear purpose, supporting hygiene, comfort, confidence, and wellbeing at a time when parents may have limited control, choice, or financial flexibility. We have prioritised essential personal care items that are often overlooked or unaffordable during periods of financial hardship, alongside comfort-focused additions that help parents feel human, cared for, and prepared. Where possible, we include sustainable and reusable products to reduce ongoing costs and support longer-term dignity, particularly in relation to period poverty. Together, these items ensure that families are not just equipped with the basics, but supported with dignity, compassion, and respect, reflecting the standard of care every parent deserves when entering maternity services.

Pack Availability

Maternity Dignity Packs are available to families across the Wirral through professional referral, including midwives, health visitors, maternity services, and family support professionals. This approach ensures that packs are provided to families with an identified and genuine need, while allowing us to distribute support safely, fairly, and responsibly.

Both Standard and Enhanced packs can be offered, subject to availability and funding. Demand for this project continues to grow, and charitable funding plays a vital role in ensuring packs are consistently available when families need them most.

All baby basket referrals include essential baby items alongside basic maternity dignity essentials for the parent. By supporting parents as well as babies, we help ensure families feel prepared, supported, and respected during the early days and weeks.

Where items are not donated, the following outlines the typical cost to the charity to provide one Standard Maternity Dignity Pack.

Standard Maternity Dignity Pack

Reusable tote bag – discreet and practical
Shampoo – basic hygiene
Conditioner – comfort and care
Body wash – gentle daily washing
Face cloth – hospital essentials
Maternity pads (2 packs) – postnatal recovery
Breast pads – comfort and dignity
Deodorant – daily confidence
Hairbrush – personal care
Hair bobbles – practical support
Lip balm – comfort during hospital stay
Toothbrush – essential hygiene
Toothpaste – oral care
Reusable water bottle – hydration support
Small sweet treat – comfort and reassurance

Total cost to charity (when not donated): £16

Enhanced Maternity Dignity Pack

The Enhanced Pack builds on the Standard Pack, providing additional comfort, dignity, and longer-term wellbeing support for parents during hospital stays and recovery at home.

Includes everything in the Standard Maternity Dignity Pack, plus:

Brand new pyjamas – comfort and dignity during recovery
Slippers – warmth and safety on maternity wards
Socks – comfort during hospital stays
Sustainable period underwear – reduces ongoing costs and period poverty
Small gentle skincare item – comfort, self-care, and wellbeing

Total cost to charity (when not donated): £45

The Enhanced Pack recognises that parents experiencing financial hardship deserve the same standard of comfort and care as any other family entering maternity services.

How This Project Is Delivered

The Maternity Dignity Toiletries Project is delivered through professional referral, including midwives, health visitors, maternity services, and family support professionals. This ensures support reaches families with an identified need and is provided safely, fairly, and with dignity.

Funding and donations are used responsibly to source essential items, prepare packs, and maintain availability as demand grows. Where items are donated, charitable funding is redirected to extend reach, enhance packs, and support more families across the Wirral.

We are committed to transparency, sustainability, and partnership, and welcome opportunities to work with funders and organisations who share our commitment to dignity, equality, and early-years wellbeing.

If you are a funder or organisation interested in supporting this project, we would be pleased to hear from you.