Welcome to our blog, here is our August update!
We have had another successful month here at Derbyshire Toy Libraries and that is thanks to your continued support.
Although the country is still not back to normal, we have managed to continue running our toy Click and Collect service for another month, which is growing in popularity. As is our online membership, which makes it easier than ever to join! If you have a PayPal account, you can set up an ongoing subscription (£8.00 per year), which includes a 20% discount for agreeing to a recurring payment. Please click the following link for more information and to become a member online;
New Toys - Curvy Boards
In August we got brand new toys for our members to hire for £3 per week. We now have Curvy Boards! Curvy is an open-ended toy that creates endless opportunities to learn and grow through play. It is a brilliant toy to help improve your child’s creativity and imagination.
We have 3 sizes;
- Curvy Lite, which is suitable for up to 4 years old and can support up to 110kg in weight;
- Curvy Standard, which is suitable for up to 8 years old and can support 200kg in weight;
- Curvy Plus, which is suitable for older children and is even wide enough to support teenagers and adults.
It can support up to 200kg in weight.
Our boards have already proved very popular with our members, with all boards being hired out already. One member gave us this lovely review;
"I had looked at wobble boards for a while, but never bought one as they are quite expensive, and I didn’t know how much it’d get used. Then I saw that the Toy Library had curvy boards to hire and decided we’d have one to try.
We hired the curvy plus and by the end of the first day we had decided we loved it so much we’d buy one. It’s great how we’ve been able to use the toy library to try before we buy."
Virtual Toy Sale
Our boards have already proved very popular with our members, with all boards being hired out already. One member gave us this lovely review;
“I had looked at wobble boards for a while, but never bought one as they are quite expensive, and I didn’t know how much it’d get used. Then I saw that the Toy Library had curvy boards to hire and decided we’d have one to try.
We hired the curvy plus and by the end of the first day we had decided we loved it so much we’d buy one. It’s great how we’ve been able to use the toy library to try before we buy.”
On Bank Holiday weekend we hosted our first every Virtual Pre-Loved Toy Sale on Facebook. We had lots of toys and games for sale and were pleasantly surprised with how much interest we got. The sale was a huge success and we are truly grateful to everyone who has participated.
With the proceeds of this sale we have ordered a Little’UN and Wee’UN Pikler Play Frame from
sawdustandrainbows.com, which will be available for hire soon.
Since this proved so popular, we will be hosting another virtual sale on Friday the 31st October, which could be the perfect opportunity for you to start your Christmas shopping early and grab a bargain or two!
Thank You!
Finally, we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved with Derbyshire Toy Libraries for their continued support and hard work during these unprecedented times.
A special thank you to our Founder Ann-Marie who has managed and developed the Click and Collect scheme since Lockdown and more recently our team of volunteers; Lyndsey, Kirsty, Marisha, Liz and Ailsa for all their hard work sourcing, processing photographing toys from other toy stores, checking safety, cleanliness and whether it is suitable for the new database or to be sold off as surplus stock on our Facebook Fundraising group.
At times Belper Community Hall resembled more of a Santa’s Workshop, with socially distanced Elves!! We are truly grateful to Belper Community Hall Trustees for allowing us to take over the hall, without their support our Click and Collect Scheme would not have been the success it has been.
Whilst we are unable to resume our Toy Library Stay and Play Sessions safely, we can confirm our Click and Collect scheme is here to stay!
If you are interested in hiring any toys via our Click and Collect service please contact us on Facebook and don’t forget our next Virtual Pre-Loved Toy Sale is on the 31st October – see you there!