Oadby & Wigston Toy & Activity Libraries
On 1st April 2008 Angela Clarke was employed as the Toy Library
Co-ordinator and Margaret Noble continues as the Toy Library assistant.
Oadby and Wigston Toy and Activity Library based in South Wigston
Oadby and Wigston Toy and Activity Library based in South Wigston is in its 7th year of running and we are currently in the process of re-launching the Library. It will be made free to join and to borrow the toys.
Oadby and Wigston Toy and Activity Library has a new committee who have lots of new and bright ideas for the re-launch with new toys and new catalogues.
Over the past year the Toy Library hasn’t been accessed as much as we would like it to be. The new committee will be proposing new times and venues, as well as buying new toys.
The project continues to have strong links with the Library staff as well as the Health service and the Children’s centre. Our thanks go to the previous volunteer committee members and volunteer workers for all their hard work in South Wigston.
In the summer the Toy Library once again joined in with the Salvation Army play week and enjoyed carrying out art and craft activities with the children.
The All Saints Toy Library and Stay and Play
The All Saints Toy Library has now been running for a year at The All Saints C of E Primary School on Long Street in Wigston Magna.
On 2nd February the Toy Library moved into the Sure Start Children’s Centre which was built within the school grounds.
The Toy Library has been extremely busy and the Stay and Play has proven to be very popular with the parents and carers.
The All Saints Toy Library carried out an Activity Day at Iliffe Park in Oadby.
The day was organised to help promote outdoor play and healthy eating. We had a lot of people helping on the day. The Children’s Centre provided sand play and activity packs, the Oadby Library carried out a creative activity and gave away goody bags and the Feeding Room Café provided healthy eating recopies and lunch box ideas. We also had a bouncy castle, inflatable slide, ball pool, football and basketball to name but a few. The day was made successful by a fun and energetic team of volunteers.
The Toy Library has also taken part in information days to promote the service to members of the community.
The Mobile Toy Library
The Mobile Toy Library has been running since October and is extremely popular.
The Mobile visits four schools in Oadby on a four week rota system.
We go into the schools in-between break time and lunch time and set out a selection of toys in an allocated room. The children then come into the room in groups and are able to choose a toy to then take home for four weeks free of charge.
We attended the schools parents evenings before we started the Mobile Library to give the Parents an opportunity to look through the catalogues and discuss how the Toy Library will be run.
We have built very good relationships with the schools’ staff and Head Teachers and we look forwarding to continuing to work with them further to help progress the Mobile Toy Library.
I have been on various training courses and seminars over the Year. These include computer training, Lottery Grants, Safeguarding Children and Young People in the Voluntary Sector, Promoting Positive Behaviour and Shared Futures (relating to migrant and asylum seeker communities).
Angela Clarke
Toy Library Co-Ordinator
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.
If you would like any more information or to volunteer at any of the toy libraries please contact OWCA on (0116) 2810026 or visit the Oadby and Wigston Toy Libraries website