Toys and Books
Toy Libraries
What are Toy Libraries?
Toy Libraries are a community resource offering toy/equipment loan, play facilities and family support for all families including those with special educational needs. Local groups are run by volunteers (many of them parents) or paid staff.
Why visit a Toy Library?
- Children learn through play
- Appropriate play materials are essential to child development
- Expensive equipment is available to families, professionals and carers
What do Toy Libraries offer?
- A wide choice of good quality toys to borrow
- Shared play with children and parents/carers
- A friendly meeting place for parents and carers
- Information about other local services and support from visiting professionals
Where are Toy Libraries found?
- In community and family centres
- In nursery and primary schools
- In clinics, health centres and hospitals
- In public libraries
- On the move - mobile vans and play buses
Who runs Toy Libraries?
- Parents
- Voluntary groups
- Statutory services - education, health, Children’s Services, libraries and leisure services
For details of your nearest toy/leisure library, a publications list or a membership application, please write with s.a.e. to:
| | National Association of Toy & Leisure Libraries (Play Matters)68 Churchway, , London, NW1 1LT | ||
| 020 7255 4600 | |||
 |
admin@natll.ukf.net | ||
| : | www.natll.org.uk | ||
SCC Play Services Toy Library
Come and play for a morning or afternoon at Startpoint Sholing in the play room. Lots of opportunities to play with dough, paint, sand, water, glue and collage as well as all the Toy Library toys and equipment.
Monday 10:00 am-12:00 noon
Thursday 1:00 pm-3 pm
Library also open in school holidays
| | Startpoint Sholing, Wood Close, Sholing, Southampton SO19 0SG | |
| 023 8048 3634 | ||
|
balwinderkhaira@southampton.gov.uk | |
SCC Play Services Toy Library Thornhill
Come and play on Wednesday morning in the play room. Lots of opportunities to play with dough, paint, sand, water, glue and collage as well as all the Toy Library toys and equipment.
Wesnesday 10am - 12 noon
Library also open in school holidays
| | Eastpoint Centre, Burgoyne Road, Thornhill, Southampton SO19 6PB | |
| 023 8048 3634 | ||
|
balwinderkhaira@southampton.gov.uk | |
Community Playlink - Toy Library
The Toy Library has a wide range of toys and equipment for loan to families, childminders, playgroups, parents and toddler groups, creches, etc. Equipment to groups and childminders is loaned on a half termly basis, no charge is made for its use.
Fri; 10:30 am - 12:30 am
Sat; 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
| | Community Playlink - Toy LibraryBurgess Road, Public Library, Bassett, Southampton, | ||
| ( | 023 8067 8873 | ||
Ashley Community Toy Library
2nd and 4th Thursday of each month, 9:30 am - 11:00 am.
| | Ashley Community Toy LibraryAshley Baptist Church, Ashley Cross Road, Ashley, New Milton, BH25 5AA | ||
| 01425 619531 | 7 | ||
|
ibandcb@yahoo.com | ||
Fordingbridge Toy Library
Usually 1st Thursday of the month, 10.30 - 4.30
Occasionally the date may have to be changed. Please phone before visiting for the first time. No session in August.
| | Sandleheath Sea Scout Centre,Sandleheath, Fordingbridge SP6 1PF | |
| 01725 517379 | ||
|
jacquiingram@waitrose.com | |
Reading
Listening Books
Postal audio book library
| | Listening Books12 Lant Street, , London, SE1 1QH | ||
| 020 7407 9417 | 7 | 020 7403 1377 | |
|
info@listening-books.org.uk | ||
| : | www.listening-books.org.uk | ||
Southampton Books for Children Group
Promotes interest in children’s books by part-funding visits by authors/illustrators to schools and providing information to parents.
| | Southampton Books for Children Group5 Dimond Hill, Southampton, SO18 1JF | ||
| 023 8055 1251 | |||
|
jkjkwherry@btinternet.com | ||
The Living Paintings Trust
The Living Paintings Trust, established in 1989, enriches the lives of visually impaired people of all ages by giving them the chance to explore and enjoy a wide range of interesting, fun and educational pictures from works of art to children’s story book illustrations
The trust distributes an ever increasing range of specifically designed touch and sound products throughout the UK via a postal library service that is completely free of charge to members.
| | The Living Paintings TrustUnit 8, Queen Isabelle House, Kingsclere Park, Kingsclere, Newbury, RG20 4SW | ||
| 01635 299771 | |||
|
lpt@livingpaintings.org | ||
| : | www.livingpaintings.org | ||
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