Improving outcomes for children, young people and vulnerable adults by providing therapeutic play and specialised resources
We are a registered charity established May 1981, based at Harvey Start Well Centre, Bolton, with good standing in the local community. We
have a trusted track record of supporting children, young people and their families to improve their
outcomes.
Our team of staff and volunteers provide welcoming ‘drop-ins’ encouraging children (0-11 years) and
their families to interact in a safe play space, modelling good practice whilst building their skills.
We loan quality, learning resources and specialised resources for families, childcare settings and
practitioners across Bolton within Health, Education, Social Care, settings..
Our Multi-Sensory room offers a therapeutic calming space where children can regulate their
emotions and explore their environment. We are based in a Local Authority building; we signpost
and network with our partners to ensure good practice and safeguarding.
We link with CVS, Bolton Together and other agencies to improve outcomes for children, young people & families.
Our Core Services
Stay, Play & Loan Sessions
Child Minders / Nurseries / Schools
Home Visits / Delivery / Collection Service
Early Years Foundation Stage Resources
Outreach Services available
Emotional Health and Well Being Drop ins
Special Educational Needs & Disabilities
Multi-Sensory Area / Therapeutic Play
Volunteer Opportunities
Access to information/support
Home Elected Education Support
Home Deliveries for Home and Settings
Early Years Sensory Support
Welcoming children 0-5 years with special educational needs and disabilities/additional needs. We provide therapeutic sessions in our 'multi-sensory room' where children can interact with lights and sounds, we also loan specialised resources to help their development.Toy Library Base
We offer ’free play’ in a welcoming environment for children, parents and carers to meet,
make friendships and learn vital new skills by playing together in a stimulating safe space.
The opportunity to meet others relieves social isolation, improves their emotional well-being and strengthens community.
Our skilled team deliver a confidential service supporting children’s learning using quality resources that are in-line with the Early Years Foundation Stage.
We offer a tailor-made service to children with special educational needs and disabilities of specialised resources such as fibre optic lights, sensory kits along with sound memory busy boxes etc.
Opening Times
Monday
New Baby Group (Under 12 months)
'Drop In' (10am - 11am) @ Bolton Toy Library
Stay, Play & Learn (0 - 4 years)
(10am - 11am) @ Farnworth Start Well Centre, King Street, BL4 7AP
Stay, Play & Learn (0 - 4 years)
(1pm - 2pm) @ Alexandra Start Well Centre, Blackledge Street, BL3 4BQ
Tuesday
Stay, Play & Learn (0 - 4 years)
(10am - 11am) @ Harvey Start Well Centre, Family Hub
Stay, Play & Learn (0 - 4 years)
(1pm - 2pm) @ Great Lever Start Well Centre, Leonard Street, BL3 3AP
Wednesday
'Drop In' (0 - 5 years)
(9.30am - 11am) @ Bolton Toy Library
'Drop In' (0 - 5 years)
(12.30pm - 2pm) @ Bolton Toy Library
Thursday
'Drop In' (0 - 5 years)
(10am - 11am) @ Bolton Toy Library
Stay, Play & Learn (0 - 4 years)
(10am - 11am) @ Tongue Start Well Centre, Starkie Road, BL2 2ED
Home Education 'Drop In' (0 - 11 years)
(12.30pm - 2pm) @ Bolton Toy Library
Special Educational Needs/Disabilities 'Drop In' (0 - 5 years)
(1pm - 2pm) @ Bolton Toy Library
Friday
Closed
Please contact us to book these.
How to find us
Our Address:
Bolton Toy Library
Based at Harvey Start Well Centre
Shaw Street
Bolton
BL3 6HU
Contact Us
About Us
Bolton Toy Library is a registered charity established in 1981, providing therapeutic play opportunities across the borough.
"Our ethos is to improve outcomes for children, young people and vulnerable adults by providing therapeutic play and specialised resources improving their life’s chances."
At our base we provide stimulating free play through ‘drop ins’, play & loan sessions, ‘1:1 sessions’ for parents, grand-parents, and foster carers.
Our skilled staff and volunteers offer a warm welcome; come along to one of our sessions, 'drop in', 'play & loan' and '1:1 sessions' available for families and professionals
we have a wide range of play, specialised, learning resources to meet your developments. All resources are available for loan (average 60p per week). A home delivery service is available for a small charge.
We run a range of activities including seasonal / themed events and a fundraising programme. A range of volunteer opportunities are available.
Childminders, Childcare providers, Nurseries and schools can loan specalist educational needs and disability resources, which can be delivered by our outreach team.
Group visits of children are available by appointment.
Our quality resources meet with Early Years Foundation Stage and have been acknowledged in Ofsted Reports as improving enhanced provision and learning outcomes.
Our Projects
EARLY YEARS SENSORY SUPPORT
National Lotteries Community Fund (Aug 19 - Jul 22) (0-5 years)
This project supports children and their families with special educational needs, disabilities (SEND), additional needs and those going through a diagnosis.
- We provide welcoming ‘Drop ins’ where Parents/Carers and their children can meet others, play and build on their development skills. We loan specialised resources in the home and setting. Feedback from our families’ states ‘this is a life-line for our family, playing with adapted toys helps our child develop and have fun’
- 1:1 sessions for those children who need a quieter session to explore a safe play space where staff/volunteers can tailor their specialised/sensory resources to meet their individual needs.
- Children can visit our Multi-Sensory Room for therapeutic play; enjoy the calming space and explore sensory lights and sounds helping them to relax, reducing their anxiety.
MIGRATION FUND
My Bolton Comm’UNITY’ funded by Bolton Council (Oct 19 - Mar 21)
This project provides targeted support to diverse young children (0-3 years) and their families in the local community. It enables the integration of Refugee and Asylum Seeker families into the community with existing Host groups. We provide themed play sessions modelling positive behaviour, promoting the understanding of other cultures, faiths, beliefs improving tolerance and strengthening the community.
EMOTIONAL HEALTH AND WELL BEING
Project Funded by Bolton NHS Foundation Trust with Lead Partner Bolton Together (1st Feb 21 - 30th Jun 22)
This project supports the Emotional Health and Well Being of young children (2-5) years. Our delivery is through a 3-strand approach:
- We offer families guidance and signpost on to other agencies if additional help is needed
- Our welcoming EHWB ‘Drop ins’ will provide interactive play along with support
- We provide ‘Emotional Well Being Kits’ free to young children to support their resilience as they go through transitions i.e., family separation, bereavement, bullying, starting school etc. We offer a doorstep delivery service for families who need it.
A Big Thanks..
We would like to say a huge thank you for the continued support we recieve to keep this vital community service running.
