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2025-03-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statement 2024-2025

Contents

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Foreword 3
Legal and Administrative Information 4
About Walthamstow Toy Library & Play
5-6
Centre
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion 7-8
Play Sessions & Sensory Room 9-11
Toy Loaning 12
Parenting Support 13
Projects & Partnerships 14
Volunteering 15
Community Hub & Events 16-17
Independent Examiner’s Report 18
Financial Statement and Notes 19-27
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Foreword

It’s been a busy year and the range of achievements are testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and volunteers. In Walthamstow, it was our first full year settling into our new home at the William Morris Hall, including undertaking extensive repairs. We hope this will be our forever home and what we need to do to ensure a sustainable future at the site is a key priority. During the year, we launched our new website allowing families to book parties and the sensory play room directly online. This has improved access to services and we expect it to help increase visibility and bookings in the year ahead.

In Leytonstone there has been an eclectic calendar of events for families and the wider community, including live theatre, an open air cinema, themed fundraising activities and the annual Langthorne Park festival. The Leytonstone Toy Library was also commissioned by the borough to deliver ‘Learning Together’ - a targeted home learning project, and received funding from the Children’s Centre and Best Start in Life to provide four free weekly play sessions.

The year saw the addition of an Operations Manager role at the Walthamstow site. The role has provided increased oversight of day-to-day operations, staffing and systems, freeing up the CEO’s time to focus on strategic priorities, including grant fundraising, partnerships and long-term development. Together, these changes have improved organisational resilience and positioned the charity well for future growth.

2024 ended with the good news that we’ve secured three years of funding from the National Lottery Reaching Communities fund for the ‘ Press Play’ project, which will help us grow and diversify our membership and increase toy loaning, which will benefit both people and the planet.

Charlotte Peel, Interim Chair of Trustees

Legal & Administrative Information

Company Address: William Morris Hall 6 Somers Road Walthamstow E17 6RX

Registered Charity Number: 1178098

Trustees:

Senior staff:

Accounts prepared by: chromatic books

Independent Examination by: Mr Waqas Hussain

Photo credits:

Laura Martinez Lisa Thomas Helen Crockford Noreen Akram Gemma Loky Jenna Selby Suga Suppiah

About Walthamstow Toy Library & Play Centre

The charity works for the public benefit having as its objects the development and education of children and young people in particular by:

“We love the Toy Library! It has been a life saver for me as a Mum. It’s so helpful to have your wonderful volunteers on hand - with more than one child it’s hard to be in two places at once. I also love the variety of activities provided.” (Parent)

Our vision

That all families borrow not buy, protecting the planet through sustainable play activities.

Our mission

Is to provide safe, creative spaces for families to play, learn and interact and borrow toys which don’t cost the Earth.

Our values

We provide services that are child-centred, supportive, educational, fun, sustainable and community-based.

Our Centres

Are based in Walthamstow and Leytonstone and we deliver pop-up play activities locally.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

“This is a really special place for us.” (Parent)

Waltham Forest continues to be one of the most diverse boroughs in the country, and this diversity is reflected in the families who access our services. An estimated 53% of local residents are from a minority ethnic background, and our membership includes families from a wide range of cultural, linguistic and socio-economic backgrounds. Excluding White British, the most commonly represented backgrounds among our members are Romanian, Polish, Black British, Black Caribbean and Pakistani families.

Although Waltham Forest has seen improvements in its ranking on the Index of Multiple Deprivation over recent years, it remains one of the most deprived boroughs in London. The borough also has a younger-than-average population, with a higher proportion of children and young people compared to London and national averages. This context continues to shape our work and reinforces the importance of ensuring that our services remain accessible, affordable and welcoming to all families.

Throughout 2024–25, we continued to provide universal play sessions and toy loaning services, welcoming families not only from Waltham Forest but also from neighbouring boroughs. We remain committed to ensuring that financial circumstances do not present a barrier to participation. Families experiencing financial hardship, including those with no recourse to public funds, were supported through free annual membership, reduced session fees, and, where needed, blocks of free play sessions. Families are encouraged to pay what they can afford once initial support has been accessed.

At the end of the financial year, 1,843 families were registered across our sites. Around a quarter (23%) of members received free membership and reduced session fees, reflecting our continued focus on equity of access. This remains a key priority area for the charity. Subject to funding, we aim to further expand targeted support for families most affected by poverty, isolation and structural inequality.

Our inclusive approach extends beyond affordability. Staff are trained to provide a welcoming, non-judgemental environment and to offer informal support, listening and signposting to families facing challenges related to housing, food insecurity, immigration status, health and wellbeing. Our playbased model allows children of different ages, abilities and needs to access activities at their own pace, and we continue to work closely with partners to support children with additional needs through inclusive play and specialist provision.

Looking ahead, the charity remains committed to strengthening its focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, ensuring that our services continue to respond to the changing needs of our community and that all families feel represented, supported and able to participate fully.

“The sessions are structured enough to make everyone feel part of a group, but relaxed enough to allow babies and toddlers to follow their energy/needs/wants and adults to connect.” (Parent)

Play Sessions & Sensory Room

Sensory play support early development and bonding between babies and their carers.

Messy play sessions encourage creativity, confidence and cooperative learning.

Our 90-minute play sessions cater for children aged 0-5 and are led by trained staff. Children benefit from interactions with a wider age range than they are often exposed to in other early years settings, such as nursery. It also means that parents can bring younger siblings and childminders the full range of children they care for. Sessions are based around different themes and stories each month. Staff have developed a successful structure which includes:

• FREE PLAY : An initial hour of free play with our diverse range of toys and equipment. Specific activities and toys vary from session to session and include art and craft, messy play, physical play (indoor soft play and outdoor area), imaginative play, construction, puzzles and books. This first hour follows the ethos of ‘Learning through Play’: children can choose their preferred activity at their own pace both indoors and out.

“I am very happy with the play sessions. They are wellorganised with many different, fun activities. My daughter has learnt a lot and become more confident. I can see a big difference in her since we started coming. It is clear these sessions have played a role in that progress.” (Parent)

• TIDY-UP TIME : 5 minutes before snack time children and adults work together to clear toys and prepare the room for snack time and circle time. We believe this is extremely important to develop children’s cooperative skills and ownership and care of the play environment.

• HEALTHY SNACKS & COOKING SESSIONS : All sessions involve a snack time, where the children sit together and share a selection of healthy snacks. Compared to other toddler and playgroups in the area, the Toy Library is unusual in offering this as a structured activity. We believe this promotes positive attitudes to good nutrition, enables children who might not otherwise do so eat 2–3 portions of their 5-a-day, builds social skills, can educate parents and, in the long-term, help to reduce levels of childhood obesity. At both sites we run a weekly cooking session with families making healthy, nutritious meals on a budget.

• CIRCLE TIME : The final half hour of each session is devoted to circle time, which promotes social and emotional wellbeing as well as language development. The play worker encourages the children and their adults to participate in story time and singing favourite action songs and nursery rhymes. These sessions make use of story sacks and song bags, props and musical instruments to accompany the singing.

At the Walthamstow Toy Library we ran 389 play sessions with a footfall of 6,500 children. This was our third full year at Leytonstone Toy Library, where we ran 380 sessions with a footfall of 3,976 children. Numbers remained the same for Leytonstone but dropped for Walthamstow.

“We love and enjoy the cooking sessions. They are good for our connection and her development”. (Parent)

“We always appreciate the art activities”. (Parent)

We continue to work with the borough’s Early Years Inclusion Team running sessions in our Sensory Play Room to provide a safe and engaging space for children with SEND. The room is also available to our members to use for a small fee and is popular with new parents whilst on maternity or paternity leave.

“It has been wonderful working closely with the passionate and hardworking team at both of the Toy Library sites. The sessions they plan and deliver for families in Waltham Forest are so wonderful. The team provide such a high level of care and support to some of the most vulnerable families in the borough and are led by a truly inspirational leader, Helen. Keep up the fantastic work team we hope to work closely with you for many more years to come!”

(Sue Grace, Waltham Forest Early Years Service)

Toy Loaning

We are the only toy library in Waltham Forest. At both sites we have a variety of toys and equipment which can be borrowed for two weeks at a time. Many items cost as little as £1 to borrow. This service is available to members, community groups and local businesses.

The number of families borrowing toys has decreased across both sites, but families are borrowing more frequently. Across both sites 906 families borrowed toys, compared to 1,182 in the previous financial year: 135 families from Leytonstone, a 14% decrease on the previous year, and 771 families from Walthamstow, a 20% decrease on the previous year. A third of families (33%) borrowed toys 5 or more times, compared to 19% the previous year, with 85 families borrowing 10 or more times, compared to 55 in the previous year. In 2024-25 we generated £18,196 in toy loaning income, a 3% decrease on the previous year.

We continue to run our mobile toy library for large items and orders over £15. There is a delivery and pick up fee.

“How lucky are we to have this resource in our borough. It saves me money and stops unnecessary waste going to landfill.” (Parent)

A wide range of high-quality toys and equipment are available for families to borrow.

Parenting Support

Play sessions don’t just focus on children, we also provide support to parents and carers. Everyone is greeted by a member of the team and offered a hot drink and listening ear. At our Walthamstow site we have a designated room called the ‘Community Cupboard’ where families can donate clothes and equipment that is no longer needed. These can be taken for free or swapped for something new. We run a ‘Swap Shop’ at our Leytonstone site. We also encourage families to take children’s books from our honesty library. These can be kept or returned. We also have a range of parenting books that can be borrowed for free for as long as needed (as we know how hard it can be for busy parents to sit down and read a book!).

“This is the best stay and play that I have attended because of the culture of the staff. The staff are very present for the adults and understand the importance of looking after the carers of the children.” (Parent)

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Through our Community Cupboard and Swap Shop,
families can access clothing and equipment
free of charge, reducing financial pressure.
Cooking activities help children develop
independence while supporting parents
with ideas for home.
Access to books supports early
language development
and a love of reading from a young age.
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Projects & Partnerships

We partnered with a variety of organisations to provide activities which supported education, health and wellbeing, or highlighted the climate and cost of living crisis.

Reuse & Repair Fairs

1-day of activity funded by the London Borough of Waltham Forest (LBWF) and working in partnership with Artillery and Forest Recycling Project, we provided a ‘give and take’ stall with surplus stock.

Langthorne Park Youth Club

The partnership with Worth Unlimited and Peabody Trust running a weekly youth club for 8 – 15 year olds has gone from strength to stength, engaging 167 young people in a variety of activities from table tennis, football, pool, Play Station, cooking and arts and crafts.

Langthorne Park Festival

1-day event funded by LBWF and co-produced with local groups to bring the community together to celebrate the park, local businesses and talent.

Children’s Centre & Best Start in Life

Delivered 179 free play sessions at the Leytonstone Toy Library.

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Volunteering
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Good Gym volunteers painting tin cans in prepartion for the Easter fundraising trail in Langthorne Park

We continue to offer volunteering opportunities to the local community and students. This year we worked with 32 students through the Waltham Forest Business Education Partnership, Leyton Sixth Form College, Waltham Forest College, Leytonstone School, Walthamstow School for Girls, Trinity Catholic School and George Monoux Sixth Form.

Special thanks go to our regular volunteers Caroline, Judith, Maya, Susanne, Terri, Hazel, Eylul, Iuliana, Khadiza and Nadia (for play session and toy loaning support), Steve (for fixing broken toys), John and Peter (for building maintenance), Robyn and Coral (for event support), Anna (for admin support) and the Good Gym team (for turning up each month and completing whatever tasks we throw at them).

“Our connection with the Toy Library is a key part of our activities at Good Gym Waltham Forest and we are proud to be able to offer a helping hand to this incredible facility, which is such an asset to our local community.” (Sarah Whitehouse, Good Gym Waltham Forest Coordinator)

Community Hub & Events

Our Community Hub and events are vital. They help us generate an income to meet and sustain our charitable aims and objectives and act as a low-cost meeting place for the community.

Birthday Party Hire

The Toy Library can be hired on Saturdays and Sundays for birthdays, christenings, naming ceremonies and baby showers. The space is hired for 3 hours and a member of staff is on site to open and close and assist if needed. Families can hire additional toys or bring their own.

The ongoing cost of living crisis continued to affect party hire at our community venues during the year. Families are facing increased financial pressures, which has influenced decisions around discretionary spending such as on celebrations. In 2024–25, we hosted 181 parties across both sites, a slight decrease compared to 187 in 2023–24. Party numbers at Walthamstow remained stable, with 127 parties compared to 126 the previous year, while Leytonstone saw a reduction from 61 to 54 parties. Despite this, party hire remains an important and valued income stream, offering families an affordable, accessible local option while contributing to the sustainability of the charity.

Venue Hire

We continue to make our space available to a number of providers and community groups whose ethos reflects our own and whose services will benefit our members and the wider community.

“Walthamstow Toy Library has been home to Singing Mamas Walthamstow for almost two years, and having such a welcoming and friendly space has been incredibly important to us. As a wellbeing group for new mums, we want women to feel safe, supported and nurtured, and being located in the Toy Library has been a big part of that.” (Jen Baker, Singing Mamas Walthamstow)

Events

With all events that we organise or partake in, there is a focus on bringing people together, combating isolation and building community. We ensure that our activities are fun, sustainable and promote family learning. We also use these events and activities to fundraise and promote our services to a wider audience or to campaign on issues that matter to our community.

At Leytonstone Toy Library we ran Easter, Halloween and Christmas activities, the Langthorne Park Festival, two open-air cinema nights and a theatre and storytelling festival.

At the Walthamstow Toy Library, we ran Halloween and Christmas activities and ‘pop up’ play activities at the Ravenswood summer Family Day and Christmas events.

“The open-air cinema, The Greatest Showman, was a perfect choice—upbeat, inclusive, and ideal for a family audience. What stood out across both events was the sense of community: we met neighbours, saw familiar faces, and felt proud of our local park. These activities make the amphitheatre genuinely useful, encourage families to spend time outdoors together, and create positive memories close to home. Thank you for bringing high-quality, family-friendly culture to our area—we’d love to see more.” (Leytonstone Resident)

Independent Examiner’s Report

Independent examiner’s report to the Trustees of Walthamstow Toy Library and Play Centre

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Walthamstow Toy Library and Play Centre (“the Charity”) for the year ended 31st March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

•the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or

•the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or

• the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Name: Waqas Hussain FCCA Address: 10 Knebworth Avenue, Walthamstow, London, E17 5AJ Date: 22/12/2025

Signed:

Financial Statement statement of Flnanclal Activity A¢¢ount Year End 31st Marth 2025 Notes UnreMrKted Restri¢ted funds Income fund5 Total fu￿15 2025 T¢xal funds 2024 Incoffling resources Donations and legaaes 29.717 42,886 72.603 88.M) Charitable aaiviries 181.125 181.125 156.015 253 728 Resources expended Raising fund5 4.762 4,762 5.747 Charitable activities 235.155 44,362 279.517 248,553 Other 4,043 4.043 6,866 Total 243 959 288 321 261166 Net movement In lun(ts foi the year 133,1191 11.4751 134.5941 116,1611 Total fund5 at 1st April 2024 100.329 101,804 117.968 Total funds at 31st March 2025 The notes form part of the accounts

statement of Financial Position A(count Ye•r End 315t March 2025 Not•1 Unr•Mrict•d tts Ro5trirt•d fjntome Total funds 2025 furtds 2024 Fixed assets Taniibl• a55•t5 1,391 Curr•nt ass•ts Debtor5 9,104 9,104 14,290 Cash at bèn* ind In hind 111,264 111,264 55,451 Cr•df(ors. omounts f•lllni du• wlthin on• y•ar 12.272 40.886 53,158 9,328 N•t cufw•nt •M•iillii•biliti•sl 108,096 140.8861 67.210 t￿),413 Total •iMts l•xs curr•fit l•biWti•s Acrumul•t•d fund io R•rtrirtqd Inrpm• fvThds 1,475 1,475 D•siinK•d bulldlni fvnd 21.5C•J 21.5( 55,000 Unr•strici•d fvnds 7B.829 $0,304 61.4Y3 R•suli for th• p•riod 33.119 1,475 34,594 16.161 ApproY•d by ihe tru5tq•s and 5iin•d on their ￿h￿l1 by.. Chadotte Peel. Inierim Chair of Tru5tee5 Date

Note l Accounting Polbcie5 Bas￿ Lrf prepari￿ the finMKial Statements The finènoal statements have been prepared in accordance with Accountirva and Reporring bv Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance WTth the Financial RewrtirE Standard applicable in the Uniied Kingdom and Republic of Ireland Ichariiies SORP FRS 1021 issued on 16 July 2014, the Financial Reportin¢ Standard applicable in the UK and Republic ol Ireland IFRS 1021 and the Charities Acr 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical c051 convention. The financial 5totements ère prepare(l in 51erlinL which 15 the funCti￿al currency of ihe company_ Monetsry amounis in these finanool staiemenis are rounded to the neareA £. Financlal reporti￿ standard 102- reduced dbcjosure exemptlons The charity has taken advanioge of ihe following disclosure exemption in preparing these financlal statements. as pem)itted by FRS 102 The Financial RepDrtinK Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland". the requirements of Se(tion 7 Statemeni of Cosh Flows. Income All income is recolnised in the Statement of Financlal Aciivitles once the charity has entltlement to the fund5. it is prob)ble thji the income will be received the amount on be mea5ure(I reliabty. ExpenL4wre Liabiliiies are recognised a5 expendrture as 500n as there 15 a legal or consiructive obligation committing the chaflty to thai expenditure. rt is proboble thai a trnnsfer of economic benefits will be fequired in seniemeni and the amount of the obligation con be measured reliably. Expenditure is Jccounted for on an accruals ba￿5 and has been classified under headings thai aggregate all cosr related to the cate80ry. Where costs (Jnnot be direcrly attrib￿e￿ to panicular heoding5 they hove been allocated io acttvrties on a basis con515tent with the use of resources. T•ryible r￿ed &sset5 Depreclatbon Is provided at the followlng annuol rntes orderto wthe off each asset over Its e￿imated useful life. IT Equipment- 2LfA on a Straight line basis. Furniture and Equipment 33% on a straiiht line bay5 The charity is exempt frcrfn corporatlon tax on its charltable aalvities. Fund Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance WTth ihe charitable objective5 ai the discretion of the trustees. Re￿n(rea funds con only be used fof porricular restriaed purposes within Ihe objecrs of the charTry. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for partKular restricted purpose5. Penslon colls and other p05t-retifemem benefrts The charitabte company operaies a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Actmties in the period to which they relate Reserves Policv Trustees commr( to keepingthe equivalent of at least 6 months runni￿ costs in reserve to safeguard againsr future changes in income. The present level is £45.710, whith is the equivalent to 2 month5 running colls. Trustee5 will keep reserve5 under constani review to secure the temi future.

Note 2 Income Analysis of income Unrestricted Restricted lunds income funds Totsl lunds 2025 Total funds 2024 i)onations and le8iJcies: tk¢nations and ¥ift5 Government IRS Grants 31.975 31.975 52.669 -2.258 42.886 40.628 36,321 Total 29,717 42,B86 72,603 88,990 Charitable activities: Toy Libfary Sesslons 59,8 59,800 59,789 Toy Library Events 1.418 1,418 11.714 Membership Fees 20.588 20.588 15.777 Venue Hire 99.009 99.009 68.517 Interest recelved 309 309 218 Total IBI.125 181.125 156,015 Total Income 253 728

Note 3 Expenditure vnrestrKted RestrKted Toul funds Toul funds fund5 income 2025 2024 fuThds fA￿di￿re on raisi￿ fund5: Sundry costs 4.76Z 4,762 5,747 Toul eXp￿ndi￿re on raisi￿ luThdJ ex￿nditur• on tharitablo •rti¥1tb￿. Sessions 7.104 1.984 16,088 16,08J V•nue Hir• Evqnts costs Me•lth and 51fety Insuranc 2.521 2,5ZI 2.Z37 ¢ompli•Thce 1.326 1,328 lJ19 offico Suppli 663 66J 383 suff Costs 171,543 34,592 106,135 159,400 Pnsion 4.4311 4,45 5>05 TraiThni 7B4 784 1.537 5ubsuiptiofis 1.47B 1,47 1.710 Rent ZS,ZJ3 23,233 35,735 Repairs •Thd M•inienancè 1,034 5,B29 4,796 22,092 Markerini 3.673 3,768 1.091 T￿￿phone and eroidbaThd 2.322 752 3,074 3.OBJ Uiilities 10.B13 2,ZB2 13,095 499 Total e¥pendiwre Im tharitable •cti¥i 135,155 44.362 279,517 Z48.553 (xhew Ac(ount4rKV 2.651 2,651 5.141 Depreciation 1,391 1,391 1,7Z5 TOL4 other expendit 4,043 4,043 6,B66 Totsl rxwditsre 343 959 ZB8 321 Z61 160

Note 4 Independent Examiners Fee5 2025 2024 Independent examineffs lee5 250 250 Note 5 Stsff Costs 2025 2024 Salaries and wages 206,135 159.406 Pension costs Idefined CI￿111b￿ti0n scheme) 4.438 3,365 Total ￿aff c05ts 210 573 No employees re(eived ernployee benefiis (excludi￿ enwloyef pension cosrs) for the reponing period of more than £60.(KN) 2025 2024 Key Ma￿emen1 Personnel 42 354 AveTaKe He￿1 Cowlt 2025 2024 Fundraisi Chariiable Actmties Total

Note 6 Tantlble assets ixtures and Flttings Cost At April 2024 Additions At March 2025 9,998 Depreciation At April 2024 charge for the year At March 2025 8,607 1,391 9.998 Net Book Valtse At 31 March 2025 4¢ 31 March 2024 1,391 Noto 7 Debtors •nd prep•yments 2025 2024 Trade debiors 6,077 5,622 Prepayments and accTued Income Total

Note 8 Credltors and deferred income Amounts falling due one year 2024 Trade cre(ItOf5 1.2 1,450 Accruals and deferred income 46.574 Taxation and social se(￿rity 5,383 869 Total Note 9 Cash at the bank and in harbd 2024 Gish at bank on haThl 111,264 95.451 Tthal Note 10 Fund5 movement in current year Fund balances br(￿1 Income Expenthure Translt Fund balances carried fcKward Unrestricted fvnd5 General FurKI Designated Fund 45.329 55.(M)O 208.341 1207,9591 136,(Wl 45,710 21, Restriaed Funds Restricted Fund Total Funds as per balanrE sheet 1.475 42,887 144 3621 io 253 728

Note 11 Related parties No related party transactions took place in the year to 31 March 2025. None of the mistees have been paid any remuneration or received any other beneffts from an employment with the charity or a relaied entity