Amazing local Frome Toy Library's future hangs in the balance as the group faces closure in less than two months if a relatively small amount of money cannot be raised to save it by local donations (see LocalGiving link below), increased membership (can be bought as a gift for a family for just £20 for the whole year) or finding local businesses to become Sponsors.

Open to all families, this non-profit community service, run for over 30 years, needs only modest funds for its year-round, home-lending toy service and weekly play-and-stay sessions. Toy Library sessions are much more than just play; with on-site support workers offering advice to isolated or overwhelmed young parents, it offers practical support as well as the health benefits of social interaction and friendship for adults and little ones, not to mention the environmental benefits of borrowing 50+ different educationally-inspired toy-sacks, changing in the home every week without buying piles of plastic, serving to create a cleaner world.

A local mum told us "I dread to think what my experience of moving to Frome would have been like without the Toy Library. I think our mental health would most definitely have suffered, especially as we would have entered the national lockdown with far fewer connections in the community and consequently a feeling of disconnection or even isolation."

During lockdown The Frome Toy Library, run alongside Frome Children's Festival, provided in excess of 1,200 FREE play and creativity gift packs to 800 local, vulnerable families; these were handed out with free school meals and food-bank parcels with the remainder delivered directly to shielding families.

During the summer holidays the organisation provided 6 weeks of socially-distanced, FREE Holiday Activity sessions for local families. Taking place in socially-distanced outdoor spaces, the activities numbered 280 pre-booked places to some of Frome's most vulnerable families.

Director Sue Willis tells us "We must keep this 30 year amazing resource going. Funding has all but dried up in the current climate so we are turning to local businesses with open arms to ask if they can become one of our Sponsors or if local people will donate individually or buy memberships for their family.

"As Frome businesses are facing huge challenges too, we know high-investment sponsorships are tough so we are appealing for modest amounts from multiple businesses along with any personal donations. If any organisation would like to stand up publicly and support this community service then please get in touch and become a Sponsor to help the children through the next year."

Interested business sponsors should contact the directors via [email protected] Parents can join as a member for only £20 see www.fromechildrensfestival.org Toy Library page

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To make a Personal Donation – to save the Toy Library - please either go to the website or our live LocalGiving charity fundraiser HERE: the Local Giving site