Connors Toy Library is a charity that provides play and stay sessions, toy loan and 1:1 support for hard to reach and vulnerable families in the local community.
Location: Portsea, Portsmouth
The charity provides 12 ‘play and stay’ sessions a week where young people and their families can attend play sessions, including active play, arts and crafts and singing.
An early intervention worker is present at each group to observe need and offer early support, advice and signposting to families to prevent escalation of problems and best outcomes for children. A team of three outreach workers offer one to one support for ‘hard to reach’ and vulnerable families who need high levels of support.
Mobile toy library also provides this service to three hostels, a refuge and a teenage parent project, supporting families to access their local toy library group when they are rehomed in the city and introducing them to members of the community in which they will start their new lives.
A Child Carers Toy Store holds a large stock of toys, educational, special needs and craft resources for local childcare providers to borrow to enhance their provision for the children they care for. Families of children with special needs can access this facility to borrow specialist toys and equipment for their children.
Jacqui Ingram, Connors Toy Place volunteer, said:
It’s really lovely to be recognised for the work that we do in the community with young families. We know how hard we work but does it does give us a nice warm glow when somebody else recognises it.
