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Toys and games exchange
Give your pre-loved toys or games a new home and help the planet at the same time! Or find nearly-new toys or games for Christmas or when the grandchildren visit. The next Exchange event will be a Toy and Games Exchange, offering families the chance to swap outgrown or unused toys and games and children’s bikes for something “new-to-you” — all completely free.
By taking part, you’re doing more than just clearing space at home, you’re helping to reduce waste, cut carbon emissions and support a more sustainable community. Every toy or game that’s swapped is one less item sent to landfill and one less new product that needs to be manufactured and shipped. That means lower resource use, fewer greenhouse gases, and a cleaner environment for the next generation.
Children grow fast and outgrow or lose interest in their toys and games, but they don’t have to go to waste. Whether it’s a nearly-new game, a small bike, or a favourite soft toy that deserves more playtime, swapping keeps perfectly good items in circulation. It’s an easy, eco-friendly way to refresh your child’s toy box without spending a penny. We are targeting this event at babies to primary school age.
The Toy and Games Exchange works on a one-in one-out basis, so you bring one and take one away. It is not designed as a donation of toys and games. It is also a great way to connect with neighbours sustainably and have a cup of tea or coffee and a homemade cakeand share in a community effort to live more sustainably.
Drop-off: 9.15 – 9.45am
Open for selection & to take toys and games away: 10.00am – 12.15pm
So gather up to five good-quality toys and games (and/or one small bike) and come along.
Let’s make playtime greener and keep Goring’s toys moving — not filling waste bins!
By taking part, you’re doing more than just clearing space at home, you’re helping to reduce waste, cut carbon emissions and support a more sustainable community. Every toy or game that’s swapped is one less item sent to landfill and one less new product that needs to be manufactured and shipped. That means lower resource use, fewer greenhouse gases, and a cleaner environment for the next generation.
Children grow fast and outgrow or lose interest in their toys and games, but they don’t have to go to waste. Whether it’s a nearly-new game, a small bike, or a favourite soft toy that deserves more playtime, swapping keeps perfectly good items in circulation. It’s an easy, eco-friendly way to refresh your child’s toy box without spending a penny. We are targeting this event at babies to primary school age.
The Toy and Games Exchange works on a one-in one-out basis, so you bring one and take one away. It is not designed as a donation of toys and games. It is also a great way to connect with neighbours sustainably and have a cup of tea or coffee and a homemade cakeand share in a community effort to live more sustainably.
Drop-off: 9.15 – 9.45am
Open for selection & to take toys and games away: 10.00am – 12.15pm
So gather up to five good-quality toys and games (and/or one small bike) and come along.
Let’s make playtime greener and keep Goring’s toys moving — not filling waste bins!
FAQs – Toys (Garden Room)
Q What age range are you expecting?
Good quality, safe toys, games and bikes suitable from birth to 11 (end of primary school).
Q How does the exchange work?
Bring items that you no longer want and we will give you one token for each item, which you can use to swap for a different item of your choice. On arrival you will be asked to sign a simple registration form and to accept the House Rules for this event, which are set out below.
Q I have a big box of outdoor toys, can I bring them?
We can’t accept bulk donations of toys. The exchange idea only works on a one-in, one-out basis.
Q How many items can I bring?
Up to 5 toys or games per household and 1 bike
Q What items will you accept?
All items must be in good condition and safe to use. We will accept small children’s bikes and toys suitable to age 11. They should be in good condition and safe to use.
Q What items will you not accept?
We will only accept items which are in good condition.
We will not accept any of the following: bulk donations, items that are badly damaged, bikes and that appear unsafe and where the brakes show signs of wear, toys or games that require batteries or mains electricity.
Q Is it just for children’s bikes or can I bring adult bikes too?
We ask that you only bring small bikes to this event suitable for pre-teens.
Q Can I bring a toy and swap it for a bike?
Yes you are welcome to bring a toy or game and swap it for a bike. Swaps are free but if they are very uneven, it would be nice to consider making a donation.
Q Can I come and buy items if I do not bring any to exchange?
We do not sell items at the exchange, but anyone is welcome to come in from 11am to take remaining items but you are asked to consider a donation of £1- £5 depending on their relative value.
Q What times can I bring in items to donate or exchange?
The main period should be between 09.15 - 09.45am on the day. This is necessary to have enough time to register, label and display the items before opening to the public at 10.00am. Donations may be accepted after opening time if they are of interest, but not after midday.
Q What will happen if I bring items that you do not accept?
You will be asked to take these away with you.
Q What will you do with any excess items?
We will take your name and contact details if you are brining larger items and may ask that you take away your donated items if you have not found anything to exchange them for, as we have no storage facility. If we have excess items at the end of the event, we will donate them or, if necessary, recycle them unless someone would like to take them away for another exchange event.
Q What happens if I don’t find anything that I like?
You are welcome to return later (up to 12.15pm) to look again. Please hand in your token(s) and as we will have your registration details so that we can give you a new token(s) when you return.
Q Can I keep my token for another event?
No. Please hand in your token(s) as you leave the event.
Q Can I bring children?
Yes, but children under 16 must be accompanied and supervised at all times.
Q What happens if I do not like the items I have taken?
You are welcome to return items during the event if they are not suitable. You will be issued with a new token to exchange for other items. After the event, items cannot be returned.
Q What happens if I notice items I have taken look worn or damaged?
You are advised to check the condition of the items before you take them. But you are welcome to come back and return items during the event if they are not in a good condition. You will be issued with a new token to exchange for other items. After the event, items cannot be returned.
Q Do I have to pay anything to exchange items?
This is a free event organised and run by volunteers. We welcome any voluntary donations to cover the cost of the hall hire and other expenses: cash preferably, but we can accept cards.
Q Can I come and have a look if I don’t have anything to exchange?
If you don’t have anything to be repaired or items to exchange at this time, you are still very welcome to pop in to have a look at what happens in the village hall every other month – and you can enjoy having a chat with a coffee or tea and some wonderful homemade cake.
Q Will you run another exchange?
We are planning to run a series of different exchange events in parallel with this year’s Repair Cafe events. Future events may be focussed on other items that can have a useful second life, e.g. clothes, toys & bikes, books and more.
Q I have a question that is not covered here.
If you have any questions that are not dealt with here on the website or have any suggestions for this or future exchange events, please email [email protected].
Q I think this is a great idea and would like to help with this or future events.
If you would like to help at these exchange events, or at the Repair Cafe events, please email [email protected]. Thank you.
Good quality, safe toys, games and bikes suitable from birth to 11 (end of primary school).
Q How does the exchange work?
Bring items that you no longer want and we will give you one token for each item, which you can use to swap for a different item of your choice. On arrival you will be asked to sign a simple registration form and to accept the House Rules for this event, which are set out below.
Q I have a big box of outdoor toys, can I bring them?
We can’t accept bulk donations of toys. The exchange idea only works on a one-in, one-out basis.
Q How many items can I bring?
Up to 5 toys or games per household and 1 bike
Q What items will you accept?
All items must be in good condition and safe to use. We will accept small children’s bikes and toys suitable to age 11. They should be in good condition and safe to use.
Q What items will you not accept?
We will only accept items which are in good condition.
We will not accept any of the following: bulk donations, items that are badly damaged, bikes and that appear unsafe and where the brakes show signs of wear, toys or games that require batteries or mains electricity.
Q Is it just for children’s bikes or can I bring adult bikes too?
We ask that you only bring small bikes to this event suitable for pre-teens.
Q Can I bring a toy and swap it for a bike?
Yes you are welcome to bring a toy or game and swap it for a bike. Swaps are free but if they are very uneven, it would be nice to consider making a donation.
Q Can I come and buy items if I do not bring any to exchange?
We do not sell items at the exchange, but anyone is welcome to come in from 11am to take remaining items but you are asked to consider a donation of £1- £5 depending on their relative value.
Q What times can I bring in items to donate or exchange?
The main period should be between 09.15 - 09.45am on the day. This is necessary to have enough time to register, label and display the items before opening to the public at 10.00am. Donations may be accepted after opening time if they are of interest, but not after midday.
Q What will happen if I bring items that you do not accept?
You will be asked to take these away with you.
Q What will you do with any excess items?
We will take your name and contact details if you are brining larger items and may ask that you take away your donated items if you have not found anything to exchange them for, as we have no storage facility. If we have excess items at the end of the event, we will donate them or, if necessary, recycle them unless someone would like to take them away for another exchange event.
Q What happens if I don’t find anything that I like?
You are welcome to return later (up to 12.15pm) to look again. Please hand in your token(s) and as we will have your registration details so that we can give you a new token(s) when you return.
Q Can I keep my token for another event?
No. Please hand in your token(s) as you leave the event.
Q Can I bring children?
Yes, but children under 16 must be accompanied and supervised at all times.
Q What happens if I do not like the items I have taken?
You are welcome to return items during the event if they are not suitable. You will be issued with a new token to exchange for other items. After the event, items cannot be returned.
Q What happens if I notice items I have taken look worn or damaged?
You are advised to check the condition of the items before you take them. But you are welcome to come back and return items during the event if they are not in a good condition. You will be issued with a new token to exchange for other items. After the event, items cannot be returned.
Q Do I have to pay anything to exchange items?
This is a free event organised and run by volunteers. We welcome any voluntary donations to cover the cost of the hall hire and other expenses: cash preferably, but we can accept cards.
Q Can I come and have a look if I don’t have anything to exchange?
If you don’t have anything to be repaired or items to exchange at this time, you are still very welcome to pop in to have a look at what happens in the village hall every other month – and you can enjoy having a chat with a coffee or tea and some wonderful homemade cake.
Q Will you run another exchange?
We are planning to run a series of different exchange events in parallel with this year’s Repair Cafe events. Future events may be focussed on other items that can have a useful second life, e.g. clothes, toys & bikes, books and more.
Q I have a question that is not covered here.
If you have any questions that are not dealt with here on the website or have any suggestions for this or future exchange events, please email [email protected].
Q I think this is a great idea and would like to help with this or future events.
If you would like to help at these exchange events, or at the Repair Cafe events, please email [email protected]. Thank you.
House Rules for Exchange Events
ALL USERS OF THIS SERVICE ARE POLITELY ASKED TO READ AND ACKNOWLEDGE THIS NOTICE
This free facility exists to benefit the local community and the environment generally. By exchanging items which might otherwise be discarded, it reduces waste and the production of greenhouse gas emissions when a replacement item is purchased.
Everyone involved here is an unpaid volunteer and available to offer practical help and advice.
There are certain quality, cleanliness (and safety where appropriate) standards of items we accept for exchange. Any item you go away with should be to what we believe is an acceptably good standard for a used item.
Users and visitors attend Exchange events at their own risk. The organisers cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to their property offered as donations or personal injury, direct or consequential, resulting from the activities of this Exchange event.
Children must be supervised at all times and should not be allowed to play on the premises.
Exchange events are run free of charge. However, voluntary donations would be most welcome and greatly appreciated to help towards operating costs, including the hire of this venue, and will help enable these Exchange events to continue as a free service.
Using our Bellême Café service also helps to offset our expenses.
This free facility exists to benefit the local community and the environment generally. By exchanging items which might otherwise be discarded, it reduces waste and the production of greenhouse gas emissions when a replacement item is purchased.
Everyone involved here is an unpaid volunteer and available to offer practical help and advice.
There are certain quality, cleanliness (and safety where appropriate) standards of items we accept for exchange. Any item you go away with should be to what we believe is an acceptably good standard for a used item.
Users and visitors attend Exchange events at their own risk. The organisers cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to their property offered as donations or personal injury, direct or consequential, resulting from the activities of this Exchange event.
Children must be supervised at all times and should not be allowed to play on the premises.
Exchange events are run free of charge. However, voluntary donations would be most welcome and greatly appreciated to help towards operating costs, including the hire of this venue, and will help enable these Exchange events to continue as a free service.
Using our Bellême Café service also helps to offset our expenses.
THANK YOU FOR COMING TO SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN.