Chairperson

Liz has been attending HKTL sessions for the past 5 years and has enjoyed joining in the singing, borrowing, playing, reading and mudpie making across all play sessions, her favourite being the outdoor meet ups.

Liz recently joined the Committee to support the HKTL and ensure it can maintain a sustainable presence in the community. A lifeline to her during the early years of her own children, Liz hopes to ensure the Charity can continue to support young families and build on a reduced waste, society.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, young son and daughter and dog Elvis, doing a variety of things such as camping, eating out, and travelling. Individually, she enjoys baking, drinking tea, and likes to exercise by way of running and yoga. Liz also has an allotment which she enjoys tending with the kids.

Trustee Co-Chair- Finance Strategy

Natasha has been a member of the Toy Library for years and attends most Wednesdays. She is a keen organiser and assisted heavily in the launch of our new Lendengine Library format. We are hopeful the use of this platform will provide us with some lovely data on popular toys and how we can improve our services. Natasha hopes to lead this strategy in the coming year.

Natasha has twins who love to use the ride on toys during the play sessions! As well as a school age little one who loves to borrow the toys.

In her spare time, Natasha loves to keep fit and lift weights, which comes in handy when we need to sort out the library cupboard.

Treasurer

Alex and her young daughter have been regular attendees at the Toy Library play sessions over the last couple of years – enjoying the wide variety of toys each week, and of course song time! Having had her daughter just prior to lockdown, once the play sessions started back up again, this was a great way to meet other Mums in a similar boat and for the little ones to get used to ‘normal life’ in a safe, caring and fun environment.

Alex looks after all things money-related at The Toy Library – from paying suppliers, monthly cost analysis and the preparation of our annual accounts, to approving budget for new toys and of course, the all important biscuits!

In her spare time, Alex likes to spend time with family and friends, and loves eating out – often combining both of these over in Spain where she regularly visits.

Trustee

Sarah is a trustee of the toy library, being persuaded to attend one online meeting during the COVID lockdown and has been helping out ever since.

As a user of the toy library Sarah’s son worked his way through hundreds of toys, some of them multiple times! Using the library to follow his interests meant that she didn't end up with lots of toys he'd lost interest in but always having something new and interesting to explore. The small world toys, science sets and orchard games were big favourites. Sarah also makes use of the party pack, and encourages others to at all opportunities, to help keep waste to a minimum.

As a trustee Sarah enjoys being able to help the toy library be sustainable and ensure it continues to be a great resource for the whole community for years to come - whether that's adopting card payments, writing funding applications or interviewing potential staff in a cupboard it's never dull!

In what little free time is left after dealing with work and the hectic calendar of kids activities Sarah enjoys playing cricket, coaching kids football and generally having fun with her family.

Trustee

Emma has been a member of the Toy Library since her twin boys were 8 months old. As a new mum to babies born in the pandemic, the play sessions were a safe haven to start venturing out and have been a source of firm friendships for Emma and husband Tom, as well as the library giving their boys an amazing array of toys to suit each stage of their growth.

Emma joined the committee to give something back to the charity which has played a big part in her first years of being a mum. With a background in marketing and communication, Emma enjoys working on the library's social media and helping to spread the word about the charity within the local community.

In her spare time Emma enjoys running, playing cricket, gardening and having lots of outdoorsy adventures with her family.

Trustee

Eleanor has a young family and has been a keen member of the Toy Library for close to 9 years.

Eleanor is passionate about using toys sustainably and ensuring all members have access to quality toys and play for low cost.

As our Safeguarding Lead, we have absolute faith in Eleanor’s ability to lead and support with a caring manner.

In her spare time, Eleanor can be found walking her lovely doggie, and making the most of the family spaces in and around Knaresborough and Harrogate.