In the same year that the London Borough of Barnet and City of Westminster joined our voucher incentive scheme, bringing the total number of voucher participating boroughs up to ten – Barnet, Bexley, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington, Lambeth, Waltham Forest and Westminster City Council – Real Nappies for London launched its new logo alongside Wen and its other projects.
From 1st January to 21st December 2022, we issued 1,150 reusable nappy vouchers, where 761 have already been redeemed. Waltham Forest leading the year again with 211 vouchers issued (just shy by one voucher to match its 2021 figure).
We ran a total of 90 outreach events – 23 online and 67 in-person – ranging from reusable nappy demonstrations, info stalls with pop-up shops and talks at antenatal classes, reaching a total of 674 people living across London. 10 out of the 90 events were give and takes where families can pass-on and pick up for free, good quality second-hand reusable nappies, baby clothes and maternity wear.
In April 2022, we took part with Reusable Nappy Week – an international week raising awareness of the benefits of reusable nappies. We ran a series of information sessions, give & takes and reusable nappy fashion shows. We were joined by Hackney Nappy Network, North London Sling Library, Waltham Forest Cloth Nappy Library, Nappy Ever After, South London Nappies, Real Nappy Life and The Toy Library. Jenny also interviewed parents who have signed up to using a Washable Nappy Laundry Service and Cloth Nappy Library.
We also look back at all the informative blog posts Jenny has written throughout the year too!
So, as we wrap up 2022, and festive holiday season fast approaches – whether that’s celebrating Hanukkah, the Winter Solstice, Shab-e Yalda, Christmas, Kwanzaa or Rohatsu – we would like to say a huge thank you to so many of you! All the families who have applied and redeemed a voucher; volunteers who have helped us with outreach activity; nappy networks; cloth nappy libraries; retailers; manufacturers; nappy laundry services; children’s centre staff; community midwives; health professionals and of course our Local Authority funders as well as our colleagues at Wen – all of your support and engagement with the scheme throughout 2022 has been so helpful and greatly appreciated.
If you’re thinking about starting reusable nappies in January then please join one of our reusable nappy information events. We have already added some sessions on our events diary with more to be added next month. Reusable Nappy Week will also be returning throughout 24th – 30th April 2023. There will be lots of exciting planning happening in the upcoming months and we can’t wait.
If you’re interested to get involved with our project through volunteering or in any other partnership working way, we’d love to hear from you. Contact: info@realnappiesforlondon.org.uk
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
Alice & Jenny,
December 2022