About Pelican Parcels
Pelican Parcels is Brighton & Hove’s Baby Bank, providing essential items for babies and children aged 0–12 to families who need support.
The charity began in 2018 when founders Shelley and James Bennett tried to donate their own baby items and discovered there was no local service able to receive and redistribute them. Recognising the need, they set out to create one.
Today, Pelican Parcels works with referral partners across the city — including schools, health visitors and community organisations — to provide practical support for families facing financial hardship.
Thanks to the generosity of our community, more than 30,000 parcels of essential items have been delivered to children and families across Brighton & Hove.
Our vision is a community where every family has the essentials their children need to grow, play and thrive.
Our Team
Our work is powered by a brilliant team of nine part-time staff and more than 70 volunteers. Without their talent, commitment and generosity, we simply couldn’t provide the support we do.
Elaine
Head of Operations
Elaine makes sure everything in the warehouse is working efficiently, that we have everything we need, that processes and training are in place amongst many, many other things. She’s got a big heart, a sharp sense of humour, and a serious knack for getting things done.
Lucy
Operations Coordinator
Lucy is the calm at the centre of the parcel-packing storm. Kind, gentle and endlessly patient, Lucy keeps our volunteers on track making sure parcels are ready to go.
Donna
Administrator
Donna is the vital link between our referrers and the warehouse. She keeps requests organised and flowing. She’s generous, thoughtful and full of ideas.
Evie
Fundraising Manager
Evie is skilled in sharing our mission and values with the wider community she brings in vital funding that keeps us going. Supportive and focused she’s driven towards our future.
Hannah
Volunteer Coordinator
Hannah brings new people into the Pelican Parcels family, making sure they feel welcome, supported, and ready to get involved. From admin to training, she keeps everything on track and helps everyone feel part of the team.
Lee
Building and Maintenance Supervisor
Lee keeps the warehouse ship shape and seaworthy. Conscientious and dedicated, he moves mountains to maintain a Pelican nest we can be proud of.
Maira
Marketing and Communication Manager
Maira is one of our newest Pelicans, joining in January 2025. She is a new mum and a whizz at all things community engagement and strategy.
Colin
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Colin is the creative brain behind our social media and marketing endeavours. Colin is kind, funny and adept at design. When not at Pelican, you will find them at vinyl fairs or watching Emmerdale.
Maxine
Events and Community Coordinator
Maxine is the face of Pelican Parcels at all our community and outreach events. Bubbly and enthusiastic, we couldn’t wish for a friendlier face to represent us!
Our Trustees
Shelley
Co-founder & Trustee
Shelley cofounded Pelican Parcels in 2018 alongside her husband James when they realised there was nowhere they could donate their cherished baby items. Her trustee responsibilities include leading the organisation on a day-to-day basis and strategic development.
James
Co-founder & Chair of Trustees
James is husband to Shelley. James has worked in Asset Management for nearly 30 years, his trustee specialisms include governance, legal and risk.
Debbie
Trustee & Treasurer
Master of all thing’s money at Pelican Parcels. A Chartered Accountant running her own successful business, the wonderful Debby joined as Treasurer in 2023.
Carla
Trustee
Carla is an accomplished Fundraising Consultant, supporting charities to raise over £176m and counting. Carla has been a Trustee of Pelican Parcels alongside Shelley and James since 2019 and leads on the fundraising strategy.
Sarah
Trustee
Alongside being a Trustee of Pelican Parcels, Sarah’s day job is CEO of Friends Family & Travellers, a charity combating discrimination and supporting nomadic lifestyles. Sarah brings strength in planning, governance and operations to the Board.