Toy drives for children in Armadale during coronavirus crisis

The Dale Hub in West Lothian give away toys three times a week to children in their community

A West Lothian community hub has been running free toy fairs to keep children occupied during the coronavirus crisis.

Like everywhere else The Dale Hub in Armadale had to shut down with lockdown but their selfless project coordinator Angela Douglas has been coming in alone to organise the events.

Angela explained: “We had been planning an open day before everything happened and had asked for people to send us in donations. Once the government guidelines came in we had all these toys that had been donated so we decided to have one big give away.

“We recognise the importance of play for children to thrive, learn, manage emotions and develop so in keeping with this strategy we felt the toy giveaway would help to support our community.

“That first day went really well, and the feedback was great, then people just started messaging me about donations so we decided we would run them throughout lockdown.

“We had put out a survey to ask what support the community needed and it was clear that people were looking for support with their children who have had to adjust to some unimaginable changes recently.”

Angela decided she would hold the toy fairs three days a week on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The rest of the staff at The Dale have been furloughed so she has been undertaking this commitment alone.

Once the toys come in Angela leaves them in isolation for one week before she puts them up on her stalls for the children to select.

Hand sanitiser is available and people are asked to adhere to social distancing whilst they browse the tables with their children.

She says people are already queuing up for the tables to open at 11am and that families have told her the toy drives are really helping them with their children.

She continued: “I have had mums telling me that they had previously been struggling to get their children outside every day to get their children to do their daily exercise but the opportunity to get up here and get free toys is giving them purpose and something to look forward to.

“It has been such an adjustment for the kids and a shock to the system for parents so if we can help in this small way then great.

“I am new to the job so for me it has just been a great way to meet the community.”

Angela has been liaising with health authorities and local schools but says anyone is welcome to attend on the day.

The toy drives are on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday between the hours of 11am and 6pm.