IKEA teams up with Community Connect as demand for Ireland's Baby Bank soars by 50% amid cost-of-living crisis
As families across Ireland grapple with an intensifying cost-of-living crisis, demand for essential baby items from Community Connect, Ireland's national baby bank, has surged by an alarming 50% in the past year.
The stark reality of the cost-of-living crisis means one in five children in Ireland is living below the poverty line once housing costs are accounted for, according to the ESRI Report[1]. Families often face impossible choices – between heating the home, putting food on the table, or affording basic necessities like nappies, cots, or buggies. When these fundamentals are missing, everyday moments of play, learning, and connection become harder to access, and have the potential to impact a child's well-being.In this challenging landscape, Community Connect acts as an indispensable lifeline, bridging the gap between hardship and hope. As Ireland’s national baby bank, the charity provides essential items such as cots, buggies, clothing, nappies, and toiletries to vulnerable families, always delivered with dignity and care through its network of hubs in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, and Athlone.
The 50% increase in demand has recently prompted the introduction of a second delivery day each week in Dublin, with the charity having already supported almost 1,000 families in 2025 alone. Since its establishment in 2023, Community Connect has supported over 1,750 families, completing over 2,000 deliveries across Ireland, providing 1,576 clothing bundles, 873 buggies and strollers, 554 cots and cribs, as well as numerous other vital baby equipment and gift packs.
This practical support eases the emotional and financial strain on parents, creating breathing space for families to focus on thriving.
Emphasising the vital role of play in fostering development and well-being, IKEA’s Global Play Report[1] consistently highlights that children thrive in environments that offer safety and support. The report also reveals that many parents desire more play with their children but often face challenges with time, space, and inspiration.
To champion this vital need, IKEA introduces the playful new GREJSIMOJS collection, designed to 'let your home come out and play'. This 33-piece range draws on childhood memories and invites play for all ages into the home. Designed with a dual perspective to appeal to both adults and children, and inspired by nostalgic childhood memories, the GREJSIMOJS collection comprises everyday objects that spark imagination and infuse fun into daily life. It features whimsical items like a giraffe lamp, a toothy storage pouffe, a cactus hanger, and imaginative building blocks, transforming ordinary objects into playful discoveries while celebrating imagination, creativity, and movement across the home.
GREJSIMOJS embraces textures, shapes, and forms that spark joy, with colourful objects bringing personality into the home and other pieces encouraging playful interaction. The collection aims to 'Furnish for fun (and less stress),' embodying IKEA’s belief that play is fundamental for development and accessible to all.
“With more than 80 years of experience in life at home, we believe that a safe, secure, and comfortable home is the foundation of a child’s well-being and development. We are incredibly proud to partner with Community Connect again, amplifying our vision to create a better everyday life for the many. ”
“It’s not easy to raise a child in today’s economy, especially with the ongoing cost-of-living and housing crises. For families without financial stability, the challenge of providing even the basics for their children can feel overwhelming. We are delighted to be teaming up with IKEA again to ease that burden and help parents feel more supported during those crucial early stages of their child’s life. ”
This initiative forms part of IKEA Ireland’s broader commitment to being a good neighbour in the communities it serves. Alongside financial support through GREJSIMOJS, the campaign encourages awareness of baby banks and the vital role they play. It also highlights how thoughtful reuse can extend the life of high-quality baby items that still have more to give.
By uniting IKEA’s passion for 'playful living' with Community Connect’s mission of 'purposeful giving,' this partnership aims to create meaningful change for families across Ireland. Your choice to purchase from the GREJSIMOJS collection will directly help alleviate daily pressures, ensuring more children experience the comfort, dignity, and possibility that play can bring.
For more information, and to find out more about Community Connect, please visit www.IKEA.ie/communityconnect.