Leicestershire Service Hub is part of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, a national childcare charity. Their staff and volunteers know Leicestershire communities well and have experience of developing community childcare provision and support networks.

The Alliance's vision is a society where every child enjoys the same opportunity to learn through play

The SHIRE Recycling grant has supported the charity by providing funding to set up and run a toy swap shop, which gives local children the opportunity to enjoy a wider selection of toys at no cost.

The aim of the project is to run a toy swap shop where parents bring in a toy they no longer use and swap it for another one, therefore recycling toys and games in the community and diverting waste to the shop rather than going to disposal.

Following the successful completion of the project, the Market Harborough Congregational Church, where the toy swap shop was held, are now continuing to offer the service to the community.