Dr Kathy McLean, Chair of NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), visited the Toy Library in Bulwell this week to find out about its innovative approach to supporting families.
The Toy Library was founded 45 years ago and has evolved since then to offer family support services and child development through play. Community involvement, co-production and lived experience are at the heart of all Toy Library activities.
Services offered by the Toy Library include:
- The award-winning Family Mentor support service which offers tailored support to families of 0 – 4 year olds. Evidence shows that the programme is making a meaningful difference in children’s lives, offering guidance and encouragement during the most formative years. The service is currently funded through the Health Inequalities Investment Fund, administered by the ICB.
- Room to Play, which offers free, universal sessions, 6 days a week. The Room to Play centre is located prominently on Bulwell’s high street, offering a drop-in model, to improve accessibility.
- Work with 5-14 years olds, supporting them to develop through 121 and group-based sessions and holiday activities/projects.
- Targeted sessions for hard-to-reach 9-13 year olds including children and young people who have been excluded from school
- Organising child centred community events in school holidays.
- Signposting families to other services including health and dental services and local food banks.
Kathy said: “It was impressive to see how the Toy Library is working with local families to offer them the services and support they need. They also demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity, with translators available on-site, strong partnerships with local primary schools, and dedicated sessions for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
“This is an excellent model for community-based support which is helping to tackle this issue and I can see the potential for inspiring similar initiatives in other areas of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.”