A PROJECT to tackle so-called bed poverty which is impacting toddlers in one of the poorest parts of the borough will be extended to give more youngsters a safe space to sleep.
Up to £300,000 is set to be redirected to support the scheme, providing safe sleeping spaces for young children, after demand exceeded expectations.
The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has approved plans to reprioritise funding within its existing 2025/26 budget to sustain the ‘Beds For Babies’ programme.
The initiative, launched in June 2024, aims to ensure every child aged five and under in the region has a safe, clean place to sleep.
The latest figures from the scheme’s delivery partner indicate demand remains high, with current funding projected to be fully committed by August 2026, around 19 months earlier than originally planned.
Officials said the additional funding would act as a short-term measure to manage demand during 2025/26, with a maximum allocation of around £300,000.
The proposal was recommended for approval by the SYMCA investment board in January and formally signed off by bosses last month.
South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “When I launched Beds For Babies, I made it my ambition that no child locally should go without a safe place to sleep.
“One year on, I’m proud that working with a range of dedicated partners we’re delivering on that ambition supporting over 1,900 children and giving out more than 3,800 essential items. ( “The scheme is about more than just beds.
“It’s about giving every child the best possible start in life, tackling deep-rooted health inequalities, and building a healthier, fairer place for everyone.”
More than 15,000 children are said to be living in poverty in Barnsley and a decision was taken to offer it to any family experiencing hardship.
Cat Ross, chief executive of Baby Basics UK which partnered with SYMCA to deliver the scheme said: “We’re incredibly proud of the real and lasting difference it’s making for families across South Yorkshire.
“At Baby Basics, we strive to uphold the dignity of every family we work with.
“This project reflects that by providing children with new mattresses, age-appropriate bedding and high-quality beds.
“We’ve built in flexibility too, offering bed guards, bespoke mattresses and bunk beds to meet specific needs.( “Having a safe space to sleep directly supports their safety, wellbeing and healthy development.
“For parents and carers, it removes the burden of sourcing essential items in times of hardship and provides peace of mind.
“For referral partners, the guarantee of a bed builds trust with families and creates opportunities to address other challenges./ ( “This project would not succeed without the work of our referral partners, whose dedication ensures families access this vital support.”(
