North Somerset Nappy Alliance

Advertising

2009-09-02T11:13:00.003+01:00

We need to spread the word, and so can you help?

So far, we advertise in Home & Local, and we have leaflets and posters in every GP's surgery, library and Children's Centre. The local paper is just too expensive for our budget! We have Lindsay on the case name-dropping on the net (though do help her out when you can!)
Any more ideas?
All suggestions welcome!

Local sellers

2009-09-02T10:57:00.003+01:00

Dear all potential washable nappy customers!
WHERE TO BUY YOUR NAPPIES:
It's all so easy to search the net these days and seek out the best price, knocking a few pence off our overall purchase here and there, and it's all so easy to forget our local hard-working small local businesses; they need our support! They may not have the backing of the large retail stores, but do give MUCH better overall value for money. Even if we may not be able to knock extra pennies off our prices, what they can offer you is invaluable one-to-one support and advice, even after you have bought and are using the nappies.
Some internet companies are able to offer you nappies at bargain prices, but the manufacturers and distributers aren't keen on these sellers as they de-value their brands, and they don't help to support our overall economy either!
It's a bewildering market, as you will know if you've even only dipped your toe into the sea of products that make up the washable nappy world, and it's all too easy to spend your money based on internet advice. What you need is someone to talk to face to face, to find out about what kind of nappy would suit you and your lifestyle and your baby. Imagine buying a set of nappies that then don't work well for you? As well as being a time-consuming, frustrating and messy mistake, what a waste of money!
An experienced nappy user and seller will have a good depth of experience of what is on the market and should be able to give you an opinion on whatever nappy you want to know about. It's worth remembering that not all nappies suit all babies, so whilst advice from friends is great, it may not work for you. Ask someone who not only has a wealth of experience themselves, but also has learnt from their team and their customers and can tailor their advice to suit you, as well as answer all your tricky questions honestly!

Low or no interest loans

2009-08-19T12:33:00.003+01:00

One of our aims has been to provide local residents with low interest or interest-free loans to help with the cost of buying washable nappies. I am constantly coming across parents who don't have the money to buy nappies up front (compared to the incremental cost of disposables), despite the fact that it saves them a substantial amount in the long run. The demographics of the area mean that we have a significant amount of parents in the lower income bracket, so we know it would really help a lot of our residents.

Cornwall Real Nappy Project currently offer interest-free loans to their residents. Lucy has been doing some research into how they manage this, and we also have a meeting with Jackie Simpson from the local Credit Union this afternoon to talk to her about how they may be able to help. More news on this one soon....

UPDATE:
The meeting was very useful, and the North Somerset Credit Unions already have a range of options available to everyone in North Somerset who want to save with them/borrow money from them at a low cost. We will be putting more details on our main website soon, but in the meantime, do email either Lucy or Emma to find out more if you're ready to make a start.
Now, I'm off to open an account with them to save for Christmas.....!

Hire Kits

2009-07-25T21:18:00.002+01:00

We have had a bit of a hesitant start. Everything was all set for the release, and despite the verbal enthusiasm, we haven't had much of an uptake. It's a shame, but I'm hoping that the vastly increased advertising will help a lot. The parents that have had a kit have been really keen, very positive and appreciative of our efforts.

Currently in the kits:
Two part/sized:
Little Lamb Microterry
Sandy's Bamboo
Lollipop Micro

One part/sized:
Itti Bitti D'lish snap-in-one

Two part/birth to potty:
Nature Babies Big Softie Microterry

One part/birth to potty:
Bumgenius

Flat nappies:
Bamboo terry square
prefolds

Wraps:
Nature Babies popper
Motherease Rikki
Little Lamb velcro

Laundry bag, fleece liners, flushable liners, nippas.

I'm considering adding the Cottontail nappy, which is a birth to potty nappy made of cotton velour. Partly because I noticed that we had a lot of synthetic materials (in an effort to convince washables can be quick-drying), and also because we've already been given some for displays and so we can add them at no extra cost! The only thing stopping me is that no one locally stocks them, and we said we would only have locally stocked nappies. I would welcome your comments!

Nappy Surgery

2009-07-09T21:45:00.003+01:00

The Nappy Surgeries at Ashcombe Children's Centre will take place on a Wednesday morning between 945 am and 1115am. This new time will start from the beginning of August. If you want a hire kit, do email me beforehand to book a date in the diary!

Talk at the Youth Centre

2009-07-09T21:18:00.002+01:00

Yesterday I was asked to go and speak to a group of Care Leavers at a Youth Centre in Weston.

It was a bit last minute, so I took Enzo with me. PLUS a bag of his favourite toys and a promise of an ice lolly when he got home if he let me talk about nappies for 20 mins! Apart from an initial proper-wobbly when we got there (THAT chair, not this chair), he was an absolute angel.

Anyway, it was such a pleasure. A group of 4 girls, one with her partner, plus two social workers. They are very young, pregnant and super-brave. We had frank discussions about poo, wee and washing! They were very enthusiastic, not just about the financial savings they could make, but about the environmental impact.

We're hoping that we can waive the deposit fee for the hire kits, so they really can try them for free. And it's reminded Lucy and I to initiate a chat with the North Somerset Credit Union to talk about setting up a similar scheme to the Cornwall Real Nappy Network. They support interest-free loans of £250. You can pay it back for the same that you would pay for disposables on a weekly basis. Great idea, huh?

It's taken me a while....!

2009-07-09T21:15:00.002+01:00

Sorry folks, but it's taken me an age to get around to restarting this blog.

We wanted a place to record our ongoing plans, one-off events, successes and failures!

I've missed a LOAD of stuff out. So as things occur to me I'll add a new subject.

We're like a duck, we look like we're just floating along, but underneath we're paddling furiously!

Nappy Fashion Show: Finalised details!

2008-09-05T20:34:00.003+01:00

Well, it's all organised!

We have the models, the nappies, the catwalk, the sellers, the marquee (and the heater!). We're all set.

This is a unique opportunity to find out more about washable nappies. Come along yourself, and spread the word amongst other Mummy's too!

* Everything you need to know about buying and using washable nappies!
Meet sellers, get impartial advice, find out about the latest developments in the washable nappy market.

* Challenge your perceptions, find out how you can make a real difference.

* Find out how to save money by using washable nappies.

* Find out more about the Network, how we can help you (and North Somerset), and how you can help us.

Two shows: 11am and 1145am. Information and advice available 11 am 'til 4pm.

Nappy Natters

2008-08-18T09:11:00.003+01:00

Want to see washable nappies for yourself? Try some on your baby? Talk to experienced parents and sellers?
We are hoping to set up Nappy Natters across North Somerset so you can do just that. Once a month, there will be a Nappy Natters for you to come and see some nappies for yourself. There will be some trial nappies for you to try on your baby while you have a drink and a natter. There will be room for you to feed and change your baby, refreshments, room to play, sellers to talk to, experienced parents to encourage you, hire kits to book etc etc!
Our first one will be arranged after the Nappy Fashion Show. Sign up to our mailing list by emailing us (washablesinweston@googlemail.com), or come along to the Show and find out more.

Nappy Fashion Show

2008-08-16T19:49:00.000+01:00

We are planning an event as a part of the Zero Waste Week Launch in Weston on Friday 19th September. Watch this space, or sign up to our mailing list to be informed when details are finalised.