Toy library set to close as council ends funding

A toy library that has provided free play to thousands of children for more than 50 years is set to close at the end of the month.

Community Playlink said it was facing the "devastating" decision after Southampton City Council decided to withdraw its annual funding of £27,000.

The charity, based at Swaythling Neighbourhood Centre, has more than 6,000 toys for children aged up to 14 to borrow free of charge.

Southampton City Council said it had ended its grant as the library had become "less sustainable in recent years".

Community Playlink also runs weekly playtime sessions and supports toddler groups and early years settings across Southampton with toys, including six council family hubs and seven schools.

Trustee and secretary Dot Capes said the charity's annual costs were £45,000, largely supported by £27,000 in funding from the local authority.

Efforts in recent months to find alternative funding sources proved unsuccessful, forcing the trustees to take the difficult decision to call time on the operation.

Ms Capes said: "After 50 years it would feel devastating for the trustees and staff, and the families who visit us who are so supportive."

Ms Capes said the charity tried to help parents and children build relationships and bond through play.

She said the charity had "tried so hard" to improve its financial situation.

"We have come to the brink before and there has always been something," she said.

"I do not have that hope this time. This is the first time we are getting told 'no, no, no'."

Community Playlink moved to its current site in 2019, employing three paid part-time staff with support from about10 volunteers.

It remained operational during the Covid pandemic by providing a doorstep delivery service.

About 3,500 toys are borrowed every month, with previous analysis finding the most toys are loaned out to the most deprived areas in Southampton.

Ms Capes said an application to the National Lottery Community Fund to operate for five years was turned down because it was already supporting six other family group organisations in the city.

A Southampton City Council spokesperson said: "It is with regret that we are unable to renew the grant to the Community Playlink toy library service, as it has become less sustainable in recent years.

"We shall be working with Community Playlink to help redistribute the toys to expand toy libraries at our Family Hubs citywide and donate to local toddler groups.

"This approach will help to ensure families will continue to access toys."

It said it would start a new play session at the Family Hub on Honeysuckle Road in January 2026.

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