A toy library charity, which was to close at the end of the year after supporting families for more than 50 years, is to remain open to offer limited services as it investigates options to secure its future.

Earlier this month Community Playlink announced that “due to lack of funding” its toy library and playtime sessions for children in the Southampton area would end on 31 December and only be open for a short period in January for families to return toys.

But in an update this week it says “we are exploring other options so that we can remain open”, however “we will need to operate a reduced hours service for a while”.

The charity, which is based at the Swaythling Neighbourhood Centre, had faced closure after Southampton City Council decided to end its annual funding of £27,000.

A fundraiser set up by a parent Greg Perry, whose children use its services, details that 3,500 toys are borrowed from its library each month.



He says that the estimated £45,000 a year costs to run the charity offers “incredible value for money for the number of families that the charity supports.

All funds raised from his fundraiser will go to help the charity stay open in January as it “seeks more permanent forms of income”. Perry has so far raised just under £500 of his £1,600 target.

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