Toy Library a hit with local youngsters

In just a few short months, the North West Toy Library has lent out hundreds of toys and bought smiles to the faces of children across Massey and surrounding areas. And a Massey Community Fund grant, along with staggering community support, helped get things off the ground.

Toy Library Chairperson (and mum of two-year-old Luca) Rosie Cordy first dreamt up the idea of a local Toy Library as a project that she could work on during maternity leave.

"I contacted the Toy Library Federation to find out what was involved in setting something up," Rosie recalled. "They told me that another Massey mother - Katherine - had been in touch with them recently and introduced us. Obviously, the idea had some merit, so Katherine and I decided to tackle it together!"

Buddies Luca and Luca having a blast with some of the toys.

The pair established a committee, finalised sponsorship arrangements, set up a social media presence and secured a retail location (with the help of NZ Retail Property Group) in the Westgate Outlet Centre. Now all the Toy Library needed... was toys.

"We wanted toys that were educational, sturdy and safe," Rosie explained. "We also wanted items that reflected the diversity of our community, would help children develop their cognitive and motor skills, and of course be fun to play with!"

Rosie and Katherine applied for funding from the Massey Community Fund to purchase a selection of new, high-quality wooden toys - including a furnished dollhouse, scientific workbench and race track.

"We weren't sure what kind of response we would have, so it was important to have good quality items available before we opened. The grant - along with some other funding - really helped set up our inventory."

Toys purchased with the Massey Community Fund grant

The committee also put a call out for toy donations but did not expect too much of a reaction.

"The response was mind-blowing - it absolutely floored us!" Rosie said. "The community really came through and donated so many wonderful things for our shelves - around three-quarters of everything in our collection was donated."

The North West Toy Library opened it's doors in early July and has been steadily growing both its membership list and volunteer base.

"We're 100% run by volunteers and really appreciate the support from our members and the wider community," Rosie concluded. "Everyone has got behind us and we're just going from strength to strength thanks to everyone's support. I genuinely don't think that we would have been so successful, so quickly in any other community."

Visit the North West Toy Library at the Westgate Outlet Centre (7 Westgate Drive) between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm on Thursday and Saturday, or 3 pm and 5 pm on Sunday. Check them out on Facebook, or email northwesttoylibrary@gmail.com