Nappy Collective annual campaign underway to support families doing it tough

The Nappy Collective, Australia’s only not-for-profit solely focused on collecting and redistributing nappies to families in crisis, is conducting its annual campaign, seeking support from early childhood education and care (ECEC) services to help the one in ten families who can’t afford the nappies they need for their babies. 

Without access to nappies, little ones may be left in their nappies for too long, causing distress, discomfort and infections. With the cost of living rising, representatives from the Collective said, the problem is set to get worse.

A number of ECEC services including The Cubbyhouse Preschool Menai, Kindy Patch Bonnells Bay and Dorset Early Learning & Kindergarten Croydon have already gotten involved, setting up temporary donation points to support the ambitious goal of providing 1 million nappies to children and families experiencing ‘nappy stress’ across Australia.

Some 280,000 children across Australia each year don’t have their nappy changed as often as they need to, which leads to skin irritation, urinary infections, and emotional distress. Given that the Collective Campaign was unable to run in 2021 due to COVID-19 related lockdowns, the organisation is in desperate need of new or leftover, unused nappies for families in crisis.

“A lack of access to clean nappies may be due to issues of financial hardship, homelessness or escaping domestic violence, or those impacted by natural disasters, such as the recent flooding we have seen in New South Wales and Queensland. Every child deserves a clean, healthy, and stable start to their day with a clean nappy,” says Sarah Witty, CEO of The Nappy Collective.

The Nappy Collective partners with a number of community-based organisations such as Adelaide-based Treasure Boxes to distribute the nappies. 

“We are reaching a crisis point with nappies,” shared Treasure Boxes CEO Ricki Cooke.

“The demand for our service has increased significantly over the last 12 months, as well as the number of families experiencing poverty – partially due to the COVID-19 ‘hangover.’ 73 per cent of our families are experiencing significant poverty, with a 92 per cent increase in mental health struggles and a 69 per cent increase in unemployment since 2021. The need for nappies has increased significantly as families with young children simply struggle to afford them.”

The following donations are accepted at approved drop off points :

• Newly purchased disposable nappies
• Leftover, opened packets of disposable nappies that are no longer needed — such as when a child outgrows their nappy size
• Disposable swim nappies
• Nappy pants.

Collection points have been established to accept donations of new or leftover disposable nappies. Selected ANZ bank branches, Ripe Maternity clothing stores, as well as dozens of ECEC services, maternal health centres, and more will have Collection Points installed between 18-31 July. 

For the full list of collection points, please see here. For more information on how to donate or volunteer, visit The Nappy Collective website.