About us

We are a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.

We have been supporting families since 1985 by providing a wide selection of baby equipment available to loan at a subsidised cost.

We also run a Toy Library accessible to families in North Tyneside, enabling children to have access to a huge range of fun and educational toys while supporting environmental sustainability.

A short history of our Forty years as a Project

The Baby Equipment Loan Service (BELS) was established in 1985 by the women at the Rosehill Young Women’s Project to provide low-income families with access to essential baby equipment. Following funding reductions in 1995, the Rosehill Young Women’s Project closed; however, BELS was able to continue its opertaions through new funding sources, relocating to fixed premises on Tynemouth Road, Howdon.

In 2002, a six-month pilot for a Toy Library was introduced, quickly establishing itself as a valued community resource. BELS and the Toy Library merged to form a single service: the Baby Equipment Loan Service & Toy Library, offering families access to both baby equipment and toys.

To optimise costs, the service was relocated to Howdon Community Centre and later moved to our current location Footprints Day Nursery to accommodate expansion.

We have hosted numerous toddler groups and stay and play sessions over the years, supporting families with safety equipment and informative talks. Additionally, we have established a wide network of partnerships within the community.

We are proud to be celebrating 40 years of service this year. Our services have evolved over the years, growing from a focus on ongoing community support for families to also recognising and embracing the importance of environmental sustainability. Our work continues to be meaningful, as we frequently see grandparents utilising the service they once used for their own children. Our vision is to sustain and expand our support for families across North Tyneside for many years to come.