December 2023 Newsletter
Thank you
Another year has flown past and we are once again saying a huge thank you to everyone who has supported the Baby Equipment Loan Service and Toy Library (BELS & TL) over the past 12 months. This could be by donating items to the Project, supporting our raffle and tombola, making monetary donations large and small and by saying yes to our grant applications. One of the latter categories is the Sir James Knott Trust who is giving a grant to BELS & TL of £5000 over each of three years from October 2023. Thank you all.
Annual General Meeting 2023
We held our Annual General Meeting in the Project last month. Thank you to all who attended and offered their support to the team. We had the opportunity to discuss ideas with our guests after the main meeting, over a coffee and scone. Our raffle and tombola was a success as always, we raised £225 for the Project.
Thank you to everyone who donated a prize or purchased a ticket we could not do it without you.
At the Baby Equipment Loan Service & Toy Library we hire out essential baby equipment at a nominal fee. We have wooden cots, cot beds, travel cots, buggies, high chairs, baby monitors baby starter packs (Moses basket, stand, steriliser, bottles and bath). Some items can be loaned on a short term basis too, why buy when you can hire.
Karbon Homes
We are excited to be working in collaboration with Karbon Homes. If you are a Karbon Homes tenant (or you know of a Karbon Homes tenant) living in North Tyneside please get in touch and we can go through how we can help you with essential baby equipment.
Lend Engine
Our Lend Engine has been active for one year now and it's a great asset to the Project. Our families are able to browse at their convenience and reserve toys online before they visit us, but if members still want to look when in the Project that's okay as well.
Gift Membership
Looking for a gift idea this year. Don't forget you can buy a gift membership from us. The cost for a 2 toy membership for a year is only £7.00 amazing value since you can loan 2 toys at a time.
Maybe think about paying forward a membership for a family in need in lieu of Christmas card
Are You Making a New Year Resolution?
YES. Then a great one would be to join us to make a difference as a Volunteer with the BELS & TL. We are a small, successful organisation and are enthusiastic about new people joining us as Volunteers. You can become a ‘Day to Day’ Volunteer assisting the Project Support Workers to welcome visitors to the Toy Library or to hire Baby Equipment. You might also help facilitate Toddler Groups and / or Stay and Play sessions. Or you might want to join our Management Committee and help with overseeing the work of the Project.
If you would like more information about the different volunteering roles, the time you would need to commit or the skills you could develop, please contact the Project on
0191 2635770 or treasurer@belsnorthtyneside.org.uk.
We had our Christmas get together for our Friday Toddler Group on the 8th December. The parents and carers were able to enjoy a cuppa and a mince pie. The children enjoyed playing and had their usual snack and then were all given a present (which Santa had already dropped off) to take home.
Merry Christmas
The Project will close on Friday 22nd December 2023 and reopen on Monday 8th January 2024. We wish all our funders, supporters and members a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!