Tzara Spurrier, a mother of two from Gloucestershire, is organizing a free toy swap aimed at assisting local families with Christmas budgeting. The event is scheduled for Sunday from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM GMT at the Hesters Way Community Centre in Cheltenham.
Since the birth of her second child, Spurrier has utilized social media to share affordable family activities available in the area. Facing financial constraints while on maternity leave, she found it challenging to keep her toddler engaged without incurring substantial expenses. In an interview with BBC Radio Gloucestershire, she expressed feelings of isolation, wondering if other parents were managing better and exploring various activities.
After establishing an online presence through her Instagram account, GlosBudgetMum, Spurrier discovered that numerous other parents were experiencing similar feelings of being overwhelmed and financially stretched. She expressed her desire to create a supportive space for parents and caregivers to find creative, budget-friendly activities. Spurrier noted the guilt many feel for not being able to afford outings like trips to the zoo.
The upcoming toy swap, facilitated in collaboration with West Cheltenham Partnership and Atlas Camps, aims to foster community connections while promoting sustainability and cost-saving. Spurrier highlighted that many families have unused toys that could be valuable to others. She encouraged attendees to come and exchange toys, enabling them to receive something new at no cost, particularly useful for managing Christmas expenses.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yq4rdrv1mo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss