Toy Appeal: a profile of our community partners
Toy Appeal: a profile of our community partners
By Andrea Rannard-Lambert, Director of Partnerships & Communications
This year we celebrate the 35th anniversary of ELBA’s Toy Appeal. Whilst the grotto and wish lists are in full swing, we wanted to take time to reflect on the local community organisations we work with and why Toy Appeal is so important to them and their beneficiaries.
Arts for All run creative clubs for adults with learning disabilities and disadvantaged local children in Hackney and Tower Hamlets. Their aim is to build confidence through creativity, love and support. They work closely with local families to enrich lives. They describe Toy Appeal as ‘life changing, amazing, generous’.
“Toy Appeal has a massive effect on our children and families. This may be the only gift a child will get and so it means so much. We also invite parents – who are so devastated because they cannot afford nice things for their child – to come in, choose an amazing gift, wrap it here and at Christmas they have a great gift to give their child.”
– Caroline Barlow, CEO, Arts for All
Help on Your Doorstep aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Islington, especially those who are vulnerable and isolated.
“Toy Appeal gives our organisation a massive boost: it is so heartening that businesses and individuals are so generous and care about others in London; and the difference it makes to the children and families themselves, most of whom toys are a luxury and so to be given something at Christmas is truly special.“
– Corinna Hyman, Deputy Chief Executive, Help On Your Doorstep
Barking and Dagenham Youth Dance (BDYD) is more than a dance group; it’s a source of strength and pride for the community. Through weekly classes and enriching activities, BDYD empowers young people aged 5-21 to find their rhythm, develop confidence and express creativity. It has served 10,000 young people and counting.
‘Uplifting, meaningful, caring’ is how BYYD describes Toy Appeal.
“Toy Appeal has been a huge support for our children, young people and their families. Being able to give each BDYD member a free toy helps our participants gain a sense of belonging, inclusion and connection.”
– Georgina Alexiou, CEO and Founder, BDYD
Hanley Crouch Community Association (HCCA), based in Islington and established in 1972, delivers a wide range of services and activities, including an afterschool club, community nursery, drop-in sessions for children and adults with special needs, a foodbank, and various other essential community services and activities.
‘Amazing, exciting, grateful’ are the words that spring to mind for HCCA when they think about Toy Appeal.
“Children are always incredibly excited to receive their gifts; the smiles on their faces are priceless and bring a sense of magic back into their lives. For parents, the Appeal provides reassurance and dignity, lifting the emotional and financial burden that often accompanies the festive season.”
– Colin Adams, Director, Hanley Crouch Community Association
What started off as a needs-driven small-scale toy collection by former ELBA employee Susan Haythorpe has now become a massive operation for ELBA and BIG with our community and corporate partners, demonstrating the power of collective action to meet a community need.
To donate, please visit our JustGiving page. This page closes on 23 December.
For more information, please contact [email protected].
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