We’re on the lookout for a new Stay & Play Co-ordinator to join our team! This role is on a self-employed part-time basis.
- Would you love to help to grow a local Charity?
- Are you passionate about the environment and supporting families to live & play sustainably?
- Would you enjoy working in a sociable environment with lots of lovely families?
This could be the role for you!!!
Read on to hear from Kirsty, one of our valued team. We look back at just how vital Kirsty's journey from member, to volunteer, to Stay & Play Coordinator, has been within our community and helped her get the Teaching Assistant role she loves.
Kirsty Stronach's journey with Derbyshire Toy Library began just 7 years ago when she began attending Stay and play sessions with her two children. Fast forward to 2024 and Kirsty is a full time Teaching Assistant.
My Derbyshire Toy Library journey began in 2017. I began attending stay and play sessions with my two children at Brooksite Bungalow (NB: no longer operating), then moving on to the Belper Community Hall sessions. I loved the friendly atmosphere, the low-pressure environment, and the huge range of clean toys.
I was a very shy and anxious person when I started attending Stay and play, and I genuinely feel that the sessions forced me to come out of my shell. I could sit quietly if I was feeling overwhelmed or talk to other mums and dads. After all, everyone likes to talk about their kids!
I slowly integrated myself more into Derbyshire Toy Library, by volunteering my time to help sort/ clean toys, making drinks, and helping at toy sales. I enjoyed feeling like I was a real part of the community.
During the 2020 lockdown, sessions had to stop. When it was time to open up again, the stars aligned, and I was able to step up to become a session leader (Stay & Play Co-ordinator). I was very nervous about running a session, but all went well (as everyone who attends is so friendly!) and my confidence grew each week. I ended up running 3 different sessions at 3 locations - Crich, Belper and Kilburn - so I was able to meet a wide variety of people.
Alongside running Derbyshire Toy Library sessions, I started volunteering at my children’s school. After a full year of running Toy Library sessions, I was offered the opportunity to work at school full-time as a teaching assistant. A job which I have now been doing for 3 years and I thoroughly enjoy.
I will always credit Derbyshire Toy Library with giving me the confidence and skills needed to find full-time employment, for increasing my social circle, and icnreasing my sense of community responsibility.
Does Kirsty's Journey resonate with you?
Interested to know more? Contact us at manager.derbyshiretoylibraries@gmail.com for further information.