Midwife at King's Mill Hospital started a eco-friendly reusable nappy project in Newark

A mum has created an eco-friendly reusable nappies library to support parents in saving money and the environment.

Julia Andrew, of Newark, is a midwife at King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton-in-Ashfield, and started Newark Nappies to support parents interested in using cloth nappies.

The nappy library is to allow people to hire nappy kits to try out reusable nappies without spending money.

It was launched at Newark’s Beanblock Café on Saturday.

Although more expensive, cloth nappies last for years and don’t go to landfill.

The project gives people the opportunity to try different styles and sizes to know which one is best for their baby.

To start the nappy library, Julia spent a year fundraising with raffles and receiving donations of nappies, both preloved and new from nappy retailers.

The Newark Round Table offered a grant to cover the first year of insurance for the project and Brand Newark design agency offered a free logo.

The library received support from local businesses, who are sponsoring nappy kits and helped with start-up costs including buying storage bags, buckets and new nappies.

Julia set up Newark Nappyccino in 2021, a friendly drop-in for parents or carers and baby social and support group.

The group meets every two to three months at Beanblock Café and parents can practise putting on cloth nappies on dolls and receive expert advice.

The workshop has three volunteers and together with Julia they provide laundry advice and nappy-fit checks.