December Newsletter 2025

WE HAVE HAD A LOT TO CELEBRATE…

We are proud to be celebrating 40 years of service this year - established from the Rosehill Young Women’s Project back in 1985, developing the Baby Equipment Loan Service and some years later the Toy Library.

Carol Dennison, our treasurer,  has been involved since the very beginning - 40 years of dedication to the project. We are delighted to announce that Carol won VODA’s Trustee of the Year - we all agree that it is very well deserved.

Here is Carol collecting her award from VODA’s Deputy CEO Keith Hardy.

We had a very successful Annual General Meeting on Monday 24th November. It was lovely seeing faces past and present talking about how special and meaningful the project was and continues to be 40 years on. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated amazing raffle prizes, and those who purchased raffle tickets. We raised an amazing £599 in total. We really couldn’t do it without the support of our community.

We were approached by a team from BT Gosforth as their chosen charity this year to have a fundraising night. Simon and the team did a fantastic job. The BELS & TL team went along for the night and we had a great time dressed up Western style taking part in the ceilidh dancing. The event raised a fantastic £1720 - we are so appreciative of everyone who worked hard to make it such a success. Thank you

Funding Updates

We received a very generous grant from Hays Travel Foundation and we will be buying some toys/games/crafts for the Islamic Cultural school aged group and some toys and SEND toys/equipment for the toy library - look out on our socials soon to see what we have purchased.

Also, many thanks to the Magdalen Hospital Trust, the

National Lottery Community Fund - Awards for All England, the Shears Foundation and the Garfield Weston Foundation for their on going support.

Thank you to Sean Farrell and A friend of the Project for their generous donations.

Equipment

A reminder that we have lots of available equipment for hire such as baby monitors, travel cots, high chairs, buggies. These items could come in handy if you are planning on seeing family or having family stay with you over the festive period. Get in touch if you would like more information or to reserve.

We also sell safety gates and fireguards at very reasonable prices.

Christmas Opening Hours

We will be closing the afternoon of Friday 19th December and back open at 9:30am on Monday 5th January 2026.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

We will see you in 2026!