News

6th February 2007

Love is in the Air for Cornish Parents

This Valentine’s Day the Cornish Real Nappy Project will be launching a groundbreaking loan scheme for parents in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly thanks to a partnership with Cornwall County Council’s Family Services. 

The partnership means that the project can extend its existing Nappies for All scheme to cover the whole county making it the first county-wide scheme of its kind in England.

The interest free loan allows parents to spread the initial costs of buying real nappies which is often a barrier for many people. A loan of up to £250 is available which can be paid back at as little as £5 a week and a further £250 can be borrowed to purchase washing facilities such as a washing machine. 

Bec Thomas, project manager of the Cornish Real Nappy Project, explained: 
“The loan scheme is one of the most important services we provide as it offers people a choice regardless of their personal circumstances; borrowing the initial money required to use washable nappies means that now every parent in Cornwall can benefit from the ongoing savings through using real nappies which can reach up to £500.”
The project also supports local businesses as the loan is offered through local nappy retailers. 

Family Services are pleased to support a project which will directly benefit their service users and are keen to promote the scheme through their newly opened Children’s Centres. The centres are being developed with partner agencies across Cornwall providing consistent high-quality fully integrated facilities for children and their families within their communities. 

Head of Family Services Richard Williams said:
“We are pleased to be working with the Cornish Real Nappy Project to deliver the Nappies for All scheme. The loans and other services offered by The Cornish Real Nappy Project allow parents and carers to make the choices that suit them best which goes hand in hand with what we are aiming to achieve through Family Services in Cornwall.”

The partnership working with Family Services has also meant that six new trial kits for the project could be funded, to allow parents to road test different types of washable nappies before spending any money. 

Nappies for All, which has also had some funding from North Cornwall District Council, will be launched on Valentine’s Day at the St. Austell Family and Children’s Centre from 11am. The launch will be attended by Matthew Taylor MP who will be sharing his experiences as a new father and taking the opportunity to benefit from the Cornish Real Nappy Team’s expertise and borrowing one of the new nappy trial kits. Parents and carers keen to find out about the loan scheme are welcome to attend the event and can get more details by ringing Freephone 0800 328 8175.