Hi Doll Club friends,
For the last two years, The Toy Project based in Archway, London, has been our charity partner. I had a chance to visit The Toy Project in both of their locations back in December. But before I tell you about that, there’s big news, they’ve opened a new location on the high street in Archway which is dedicated to re-homing soft toys. They have everything from Beanie Babies to antique bears. So, please do visit their lovely new shop if you can when you come to London.
Back to my December visits, first I went to Selfridges where The Toy Project has their own nook in the toy department. It was very popular with both children and adults. It’s beautifully organized and The Toy Project always has one of their own people there to explain their mission to customers. The Selfridges shop is where The Toy Project sends their vintage and collectible toys. I found a beautiful Toni walker doll there with her original dress, socks, and shoes, as well two Moxie Girlz fashion dolls. I also got a Vogue Ginny who needs restringing and was a bit less money than the ones in perfect condition.
Their main shop in Archway is incredible. I arrived just about the time school was letting out and it was swarmed with children anxious to part with their pocket money. This is definitely a place where children and parents can go without thinking it will cost the world to buy toys, books, or jigsaws. The prices are very generous and there are always several plastic tubs out front with free toys in them. Further down the block, you’ll find The Play Room which is where The Toy Project events happen every day throughout the day. Their workshops are so popular that they are actually over-subscribed and don’t advertise online because everyone local knows about them. Their youngest participant is two and their oldest is 88. It’s bright, inviting, and organized in The Play Room and the staff are putting in long hours providing a safe, creative, community space.
Just a little further down the block is the art gallery in what was the first location of the Toy Project. For Christmas, they had a multi-artist show. During the course of the year, each local artist has a two week show all to themselves. This is another way The Toy Project lifts up the creative people in the Archway and Islington communities.
I spoke briefly to Jane who is one of the founders of the project, but she was right there in the midst of the main shop sorting toys, talking with children, and managing the staff. The work they do is exceptional and truly makes a difference all around them. You can tell how loved and how important The Toy Project is to children and parents.
And, if you visit their website, you’ll see that their work extends beyond the UK to global projects providing tools and vital school supplies to under-served communities which they have an actual hands-on relationship with.
You can post toys, plushies, and children’s jigsaws and books to The Toy Project’s shop in Archway. If you’re sending something more collectible, it might be worth including a letter of information inside the parcel so that they have to do less figuring out and sorting, though they’re experts at that. You can also donate in person at the Archway shop.
And don’t forget their new soft toy rehoming center which has just opened on the high street in Archway as well.
I’m very excited that they’ve been the DCGB’s chosen charity because the good they’re doing was plain to see in the face of the little boy who brought a yellow robot up to the till with a big smile on his face and took it home for 50 pence
Contribution from Jeni