Impact
A pram is more than just a pram
Preparing for a new baby should be a time of excitement. But for families living in reception centres (AZCs), everyday barriers can make accessing even the most essential baby items a challenge.
One of those essentials is a pram.
When Annemijn, a freelance midwife in the Oegstgeest and Leiden region, shared this need with People for People, it became the starting point for a collaboration. Together with the support of businesses like Bugaboo, Easywalker and BabyPark, we were able to make quality prams available to families through the healthcare professionals who support them every day.
Seeing the need first-hand
Annemijn has been a midwife for five years. As a freelancer at Verloskundigenpraktijk Oegstgeest, she came in contact with the care for pregnant women living in several nearby asylum seeker centres.
“Families are referred to us through the healthcare service for asylum seekers. We care for them throughout pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. It’s a unique part of our work because you’re supporting people who are navigating a new healthcare system, often in a language they don’t yet speak. It takes time, but it’s incredibly meaningful.”
Like many people seeking asylum, the families Annemijn and her colleagues meet are preparing for a baby while adapting to a new environment. Limited budgets, unfamiliar systems and temporary accommodation can all make it harder to access the items they need.
A recurring challenge
The lack of prams wasn’t something Annemijn and her colleagues noticed overnight. It was a recurring challenge that kept coming back.
“Families receive a budget during pregnancy, but it’s simply not enough to cover everything. A pram is one of the biggest expenses. We often see that essential baby items are still missing because people don’t yet know how the system works or where to find what they need.”
To bridge the gap, the practice regularly reached out to former clients through social media, collecting second-hand prams whenever they became available.
“It helped, but it always depended on what people happened to have.”
Connecting people to meet a real need
Looking for a more sustainable solution, Annemijn contacted People for People.
By bringing together healthcare professionals, businesses and existing networks, we were able to connect the right people. Thanks to Bugaboo, Easywalker, BabyPark and more partners, quality prams are now reaching families through the midwifery practice, ensuring support reaches the people who need it, at the right moment.
It’s a simple solution to a very practical challenge.
Small gesture, meaningful impact
For many families, receiving a pram removes one important concern during pregnancy and the first weeks after birth.
Quote
Annemijn Snel
Freelance midwive
For many parents, buying a pram is simply part of preparing for a baby.
For families living in reception centres, that’s not always possible. Being able to remove that one practical barrier can make a meaningful difference.
Better together
For Annemijn, this collaboration shows what’s possible when different organisations work together.
“This partnership has been great. I’m sure we’ll come across other needs in the future, and it’s reassuring to know there are organisations willing to think alongside us and work together.”
At People for People, we believe lasting impact starts with collaboration. By connecting businesses with organisations, we help essential support reach the people who need it most.
Sometimes, meaningful impact starts with meeting a simple, practical need.
Join us in making a difference
Every day, professionals like Annemijn and her colleagues identify gaps that can have a real impact on people’s lives. Often, the solution already exists, it just needs the right connections.
That’s where People for People comes in.
We bring together businesses and organisations to help essential products reach the people who need them most.
Could your organisation help remove practical barriers for families? We’d love to explore how we can work together.
