What is Toybox?

Toybox uses a rights-based service development model to significantly reduce the social and education inequalities experienced by young Traveller children through an outreach play-based early intervention service provided in partnership with children and parents. Its aims are to:

• Enhance the social, emotional, physical, language and cognitive development
  of Traveller children from birth – 4years.
• Maximise the participation of Traveller children
  in "The Programme for two year olds" and in at least one year's pre-school/nursery provision, and to close the gap in enrolment levels between Traveller and settled children.
• Encourage Traveller families to engage
  in local community groups including "Parent and Toddler" groups and "SureStart programmes".
• Strengthen the capacity of Traveller parents
  to support their children's wellbeing and eagerness to learn.
• Empower Traveller parents
  to become involved in the education process for their children and themselves.
• Support communities
  in developing inclusive environments.
• Strengthen effective partnerships
  working between parents, Traveller support groups, NGOs and the health education professionals with the aim of supporting the social and educational development of young Traveller children, at home and in school.
• Work progressively to ensure that Traveller culture,
  values and perspectives are reflected in the development and practice of the project.
• Contribute effectively to the development
  of the wider policy and practice which challenges discrimination and inequalities experienced by young Traveller children.

Staff Team & Project Workers

A team of outreach staff made up of Project workers and peer support workers deliver Toybox across Northern Ireland.