The charity has been around since 1975

The Walthamstow Toy Library is looking to track down past members, collect stories, pictures and memorabilia ahead of its 50th birthday celebration next year.

The charity, which was set up in 1975 by health visitors to Walthamstow, runs play sessions, toy loaning, and other support services for babies, young children, and their parents and carers. This includes services for maternal mental health, breastfeeding and healthy eating.

Now, ahead of its 50th anniversary, director Helen Crockford is looking to speak to parents who sent their children to play groups run by the Toy Library. Also sought are people who played at the Toy Library as children, with a particular interest in those who benefited from its services back in the 1970s and 1980s.

The toy library is also keen to hear from past members, committee, donors and especially former staff and volunteers. All ‘alumni’ are being encouraged to get in touch with Helen by email and share their memories, photographs and mementos of the toy library.

The anniversary comes after a tumultuous few years for the charity, having been forced out of its old home in 2020 and ransacked by an intruder earlier in 2022.

In November 2020, the Echo reported the Walthamstow Toy Library had been told to either cough up nearly £100,000 a year in rent or leave their home in Ravenswood Road, where it had been based in from 1986.

It has since moved into a new home in the William Morris Hall, having signed a ten-year lease with landlord Barnados in 2023.

During the pandemic it sent out 750 children’s craft packs to local families on low incomes, before partially reopening in September 2020.

Please contact [email protected] with your memories, photographs and mementos

Find out more about the Toy Library here

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