March Newsletter
Funding Update
The Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland contacted us in November to say they were concerned that the cost-of-living crisis would have an adverse effect for many people using services such as the Baby Equipment Loan Service and Toy Library. They therefore set up a Cost of Living Fund and we were very fortunate to receive £4000. Thank you so much Community Foundation – this unrestricted grant will be of amazing benefit to the Project’s funds and the families using our services. Also thanks to Port of Tyne Community Action, Carrie Reay Grassroots and Reeds Grassroots at The Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland for their grant towards salary costs for the Toy Library and parent support activities.
After a very informative meeting with Melanie Rees from Karbon Homes, we submitted an application to their Community Investment Fund. Thank you to the Grants Panel who agreed to fund BELS & TL with a grant of £3710. This will cover Volunteer expenses, leaflets for the Project and for Child Safety Week in June and purchase toys /games and baby /safety equipment. We hope to encourage Karbon Homes tenants to use the BELS & TL services, especially the Toddler Groups, and will be able to offer them free Toy Library membership and reduced cost equipment with the support of the grant.
A huge thanks to Slimming World, Wallsend members who raised funds at their Christmas party and then donated the money to various local charties. We are so happy that they continue to support BELS & TL and we would never hope to see less of them!!
Sean Farrell and Jon Goodwin have donated funds to the Project over many years and 2022 -2023 has been no exception. Thank you both and thanks to other individuals for their donations.
A welcomed visit from the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland
Staff and Trustees from the Community Foundation visited the project on Tuesday 24th January for a ‘Board Away Day’ This was a great opportunity for us to show them the Project, talk about the services BELS & TL offers and to give feedback on the issues facing many children, young people, parents and carers in North Tyneside.
A toy review by Sarah's children.
All three of us loved this! It’s like a rocking skateboard. It has suckers underneath which stick to the ground and make a noise when it rocks. We were sad when it had to go back!
Launch of our new Lendengine database.
After many months of preparation we have finally been able to launch our Lendengine database for our members to access. We are having a few teething problems and ask that you bear with us during the first few months. We hope that the new system will enable our members to browse and reserve toys before coming to the project. However, we still welcome members that would prefer to come in and pick from our well stocked shelves.
Feeding Families boxes
We contacted Feeding Families to arrange to have some of the food boxes dropped off at the Project. This would enable us to offer our families that attend our toddler groups or the toy library some assistance if needed.
Cllr Louise Marshall Visit
On Wednesday 8th March we had the pleasure of Cllr Louise Marshall from the Wallsend Ward come into the project to see what we do. Cllr Marshall loves what we offer and is very familiar with toy libraries, and is delighted that there is one in the area, as they prove very popular in Australia, where she lived for a period of time. Cllr Marshall very much believes in us working together as a community to make Wallsend a better place. She loves that BELS and Toy Library work in collaboration with many other charities and organisations within the area, and is keen to support us.
Fantastic Egg Donation
Katherine receiving our fantastic egg donation from Kerry Lockley (Community Champion) Tesco North Shields. These will be given out to the children who attend our toddler group sessions on a Tuesday and Friday afternoon. Thank you, I'm sure the children will thoroughly enjoy them!