Council backs local charity to help more families get the essentials they need

We are working with local charity Pelican Parcels to help more families access essential items for babies and young children.

Council Leader Bella Sankey and Councillor Mitchie Alexander, Cabinet Member for Communities, Equalities, Public Health and Adult Social Care, visited the charity’s warehouse last month to see first-hand how donated items are collected, sorted and distributed to families across Brighton & Hove and to announce new funding for the charity.

Pelican Parcels provides practical support to families who are struggling to afford everyday essentials. 

Working through referral partners including midwives, health visitors, Family Hubs and children’s social work teams, the charity provides bespoke parcels tailored to each family’s needs. 

These can include clothing, toys, bedding, nappies, moses baskets, cots and small beds. 

New pilot funding

The Council has provided pilot funding for 2026 to 2027 to help Pelican Parcels provide 100 additional parcels for local families following an Administration Notice of Motion brought to Full Council in December 2024. 

The pilot will also explore ways to tackle barriers that make it harder for some families to access support and healthcare. 

Councillor Bella Sankey, said: “Every child deserves the best possible start in life, and no parent should have to worry about going without the essentials their baby needs. We are working in partnership with the government to end the scourge of child poverty but while families continue to face hardship we are focussing the council’s resources on those who most need our support.

“It was inspiring to visit Pelican Parcels and meet the dedicated team of staff and volunteers who make such a difference every day.

“This pilot funding will help the charity reach more families and strengthen the support available for parents across Brighton & Hove.”

Working together

Alongside the additional parcels, the council is working with partners to address transport, digital access and storage challenges identified through discussions with Pelican Parcels and referral services. 

Councillor Mitchie Alexander said: “Pelican Parcels is a brilliant example of a local community organisation stepping up to support families with compassion and care.

“The charity responds to what struggling families need and provides practical help at a time when it matters most.

“We are very happy to be supporting this work.  I have known Pelican Parcels since i worked for the CHOMP project and over the years they have helped so many families in our city with thousands of pre-loved and new items from essential newborn baby products to brand new school shoes”