December Newsletter
Toy Library
We have been busy over the past couple of months. We have welcomed a number of new members who always come into the project with a “Wow”. We try to get out and about to let people know about our project, but most people who come into the project know about us from YOU, our loyal members. We would like to say a big thank you for spreading the word and keep on spreading.
Baby Equipment
We've had a lot of interest in hiring out baby equipment, in particular double buggies and highchairs. Remember we do short term loan too for anyone requiring additional equipment over the festive period but you’ll need to be quick.
Our Toddler Groups
Did you know our Toddler groups at St Mary’s Church in Howdon on Tuesdays 1:30-3pm and Footprints Day Nursery Wallsend on Fridays 1:30-3pm are FREE but we have limited spaces please let us know if you would like to attend. If you regularly attend, let us know for the following week if you are going to attend so we can put your name down.
Big thankyou to Rockpool school who held sessions at both our Wallsend and Howdon toddler groups. The children and grown ups got up close to some amazing sea creatures.
Big thankyou to My Story Adventures who came along and did a lovely Christmas story session at our Footprints toddler group, there was gingerbread scented play dough, messy play with reindeer food and Christmas tree decorating.
Feedback
Some of our young toy library members have been reviewing our games and toys. We love to receive any feedback and suggestions. It allows us to recommend to other members, also to know what type of toys and games to buy when we have some funds.
Lend Engine
We are aiming to launch our new lend engine at the beginning of 2023 we will keep you all updated when it’s active. If you go on our website you’ll notice that we have been adding photos of our toys and games so you can see all the wonderful toys that we have in our Toy Library.
Annual General Meeting 11 November 2022
We had a very successful AGM and were pleased to see new and old friends of the
Project.
After the formal business procedure, it was lovely to chat to people over tea and
cake and we are looking forward to one of our Toy Library members possibly joining
the Management Committee in the New Year.
Huge thanks must go to the Co-op in Heaton for their kind donation towards the refreshments, also to Tesco, North Shields, Holystone Heating, Whitley Bay Playhouse, Acorn and Oak and to Ku Wijeraine for their generous donations to our raffle, and also thank you to everyone who donated items for our tombola. We couldn’t do it without all our fantastic supporters who purchased tickets, so a big thank you to you. We made an amazing grand total of £256.00 that will go towards BELS & TL funds.
Kind Kids
During the past few months Jessie and Daisy have had a massive sort of their toys and games and have oh so generously donated them to the Toy Library for other children to borrow and enjoy. The Staff and Volunteers have had fun searching through the never-ending bags to find great additions to the
Toy Library.
Thank you Jessie and Daisy
NEW - Gift Membership
The gift that keeps on giving...Toy Library Gift Membership £7 for one whole year. Stuck for Christmas gift ideas? Why not buy someone you know (that lives in North Tyneside) a Toy Library Gift Membership for Christmas, or another special event? Get in touch with us to buy one, or for more details.
Donations
Thank you to Asda Benton for donating Christmas selection boxes to give to our families, these are very much appreciated.
Funding
We have been awarded £2500.00 from the Squires Foundation - This
will help us to provide toddler groups and stay & play sessions to groups in North
Tyneside.
Thank you to everyone who supported the Project through the Co-op Local
Community Fund. Jane and Nick, two of our Trustees, collected a cheque for
£1857.56 at the Co-op Funeralcare in Wallsend making a grand total of £2112.21
Volunteering
Join us to make a difference as a Volunteer with the Baby Equipment Loan Service
and Toy Library. 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