Oadby & Wigston Toy & Activity Libraries
Welcome to the Toy & Activity Library page.
Following the successful setting up of 2 toy libraries, further funding from the Big Lottery through Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, has been secured to set up another 2 libraries. The first will be in All Saints primary school in Wigston and the other will be a mobile service to other primary schools in Oadby and Wigston.
The original toy libraries will continue. The first is a local project for families in the Oadby & Wigston area, based at the Bassett Centre Library in South Wigston. The Oadby & Wigston Toy & Activity Library was established on September 2001 and is open on Tuesday mornings 10 am to 12 noon.
The second library is a local project for families in the Eyres Monsell area of Leicester. It is housed and now managed within the Eyres Monsell and Gilmorton Children's Centre, Hillsborough Road Eyres Monsell and is open on Wednesday afternoons.
Both toy libraries are run by a friendly team of volunteers. Children can learn and develop lots of new skills through play. By playing with your child you are helping them to develop in all areas. At each toy library there are a large number of fun and exciting toys that are educational and would suit a wide range of abilities and interests.
Oadby and Wigston Toy and Activity Library has strong links within the community and with agencies such as the Library Service and the Health Service. The toy library has been involved in activities at the libraries - joining in with story times and providing play experiences for 2 year olds at the Health Visitor Checks. It has provided displays for different agencies. Volunteers are able to lead and take part in the craft and learning activities for children and their families and carers. Volunteers also enjoy the social side and have been on a skittles evening and out for a meal recently. Toy Library Volunteers have been offered training opportunities during the year including Child Protection (Safe Guarding Children) Training and Child Behaviour Training.
Throughout the year family fun / family learning activity mornings have been organised to promote both the toy libraries and to develop bonds with its members and community. Children, parents and carers have had fun with junk and recycling.
Discussions, consultations and plans are underway to set up the new toy libraries. They will be up and running some time during the school summer term in 2008. The toy libraries' coordinator is Angela Clarke and she is assisted by Maggie Noble. If you would like to be a volunteer at any of the toy libraries or have some ideas for the new toy libraries then please contact Angela or Maggie at VAOW.
Events
The toy library ethic is to encourage learning through fun play and arranges activity afternoons. See Events Page for up to date activities and events.
To date the Toy Libraries have hosted the following activity afternoons
Summertime Fun with 30 local families attending with lots of activities for the children and their carers. Health Visitor Janet Corner provided a free bottle of sun cream to each family and Asda Superstore, Oadby provided a free gift for each child.
Bonfire Antics Activity Afternoon - Children, parents, carers and grandparents were invited to join in crafts relating to Bonfire Night, making bonfire biscuits, making a guy, making pretend sparklers and sing song round a make believe fire.
Totally Toys Open Afternoon - when parents, carers and children had fun playing with all the toy library toys and learning how playing encourages learning. Asda and The Salvation Army sponsored a Design A Game competition.
The South Wigston toy library has recently started to put together and sell at a low cost craft packs. The packs come with ideas for parents/carers to use with their children.
If you would like to become a member and borrow toys for you children, grandchildren, children that you care for, please come along:
For further details contact Voluntary Action on (0116) 2810026.
Whilst we have a number of helpers, we would value more. If you are interested please visit the Toy & Activity Library Volunteers Page.