Overview
Jayne's Baby Bank operates multiple shops and a baby bank from 7 Meadow Road but is not a registered charity or formally registered with councils, despite repeated claims. Carrie-Anne Ridsdale (Carrie), who presents publicly as Jayne Price admits some access restrictions and volunteer thefts, contradicting public charity claims.
Jayne's Baby Bank, operated by Carrie-Anne Ridsdale (also known as Jayne Price), has publicly presented itself as a charitable baby bank and food bank with multiple premises, including a registered office at 7 Meadow Road, Pontllanfraith, Blackwood. Early claims from 2022 to early 2023 describe multiple shops and donation points, including locations in Risca, Pontypool, and Aberbargoed, with assertions of free parking and community support. Carrie consistently claimed that all proceeds went back into running costs and that no wages were taken, emphasising a charitable mission to support mothers and families with free or low-cost baby essentials and food items. These claims were supported by multiple posts and videos describing the provision of free bundles for new mothers and premature babies, as well as the operation of shops with low-priced goods and fundraising activities.
By early 2024 and into 2025, Carrie expanded the narrative to include claims of being the largest baby bank in Wales and the only baby and child food bank in the UK, with assertions of registration with three councils and multiple registered food banks and baby banks. Carrie also described the operation as a charity pending registration and used charity shop branding. However, official records and FOI responses from councils and the Charity Commission contradict these claims, confirming no formal charity registration or council registration exists. Carrie-Anne Ridsdale's own admissions and private messages acknowledge the lack of registered charity status and describe the baby bank as a decoy or front for other operations.
Throughout 2025, Carrie detailed multiple shops, including a donation warehouse and shops in Pontllanfraith and Pontypool, with ongoing fundraising and sales activities. Carrie admitted that free nappies and food bank items were only available to customers and regular donators, effectively restricting access contrary to the stated charitable purpose. This pay-to-access policy was publicly stated and repeated in posts, contradicting the free access model expected of a charity or food bank. Carrie also admitted volunteer thefts and the need to manage stock carefully, indicating operational challenges.
Carrie-Anne Ridsdale's financial claims include personal investment of savings to keep the baby bank afloat and statements that all profits go back into the baby bank and food bank. However, Carrie also monetised Facebook creator income and used it to pay shop rent, contradicting claims of no wages taken. Publicly solicited donations via PayPal.me profiles described the operation as a charity, which is unsupported by any charity registration, raising concerns about misrepresentation to donors.
Operationally, the premises at 7 Meadow Road serve as the registered office for Jayne's Baby Bank C.I.C., a community interest company incorporated in late 2025, after years of trading under charitable branding without formal charity status. Carrie has described the CIC status as a trademark registration and emphasised business insurance and registration, but these do not confer charity status or council registration. Carrie's claims of council grants and support are contradicted by council FOI disclosures and minutes, including a refusal of funding by Pontypool Community Council due to due diligence findings.
Carrie-Anne Ridsdale has publicly described multiple shops as charity shops, food banks, baby banks, and fundraising shops, with shifting terminology over time. The operation has faced enforcement actions and premises closures or utility disconnections at various addresses. Carrie has also been involved in disputes with other local charities and individuals, including uncorroborated allegations against third parties.
Carrie's repeated publication and solicitation of private addresses of critics and the operation of a Facebook group dedicated to naming critics raise safeguarding and harassment concerns. Carrie has acknowledged some operational difficulties, including theft, stock management, and volunteer recruitment.
In summary, the evidence shows a complex and evolving operation centred on 7 Meadow Road and other premises, with a public-facing charitable narrative contradicted by official records and Carrie-Anne Ridsdale's own admissions. The operation is not a registered charity, has no formal council registration as a baby bank or food bank, and restricts free access to paying customers or donators. Financial and operational claims contain contradictions, and Carrie's conduct raises regulatory and safeguarding risks. The case is significant for potential misrepresentation to donors and beneficiaries, regulatory non-compliance, and safeguarding concerns related to data handling and harassment.
