This area of the site will introduce you to our Committee Officers and members For some people contact form will be displayed, allowing you to contact that person direct through the website with a question if you would like to.
Committee Members
 Gwenda Culkin- Committee Member
I am currently co-ordinator of Bolsover Children's Centre, having worked for Derbyshire County Council for many years. My background is in libraries and since 2003 was employed as SureStart Librarian, firstly in Fairfield, Buxton and between 2006- 2008 in Shirebrook. I also have a background of textile art and taught part time at High Peak College Buxton for 7 years in the 1990s.As part of my new role in Children's Centres, I was given the overall responsibility for Toy Library services throughout the Bolsover District. This includes 7 Children's Centres. Just over a year after coming into post, 7 volunteers have been recruited to run Toy Libraries in nursery schools in Blackwell, Bolsover and South Normanton. Some of the Children's Centres have satellite toy libraries, but the service overall has some way to go in terms of development. As a founder member of the Nepalese Children's Trust (registered charity no. 1119767) I am involved with fundraising for various projects in Nepal. The aim of the charity is to advance education, relieve poverty and preserve and protect the good health of children in Nepal. One of the current projects involves supporting the Nepal Japan Children's Library - the only children's library in Nepal. I am currently writing a plan for the development of a Toy Library to be integrated within the library. This will be the first toy library in the country.
To send a note to Gwenda Culkin please click here
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 Lisa Barnes- Commitee Member & Trustee
I gained my BA (Hons) in Childhood Studies in 2004. I came on board with the Derbyshire Toy Library Network as a volunteer in May 2007 as I felt the services the Toy Libraries provide are vital to the community and to the families in them. I am currently employed by Families First Childcare Co-operative based in Birdholme Children's Centre. However, I am still involved in the DTLN and currently am the secretary for the DTLN Committee. I have mainly been involved with the Toy Libraries in North East Derbyshire in particular Treasure Trove Toy Library based at Highfield Hall Primary School and the Parish Centre Toy Library on Sheffield Road both of which do a fantastic job. I am both pleased and proud to be associated with the DTLN and the work they do."
To send a note to Lisa Barnes please click here
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 Lucinda Calladine- Committee Member
I gained an NNEB qualification as a nursery nurse in 1994 and since then have enjoyed various roles working with children and their families. I was a nanny for five years before working in a college nursery with children under five. I then worked as Assistant Manager at St Elphins School Nursery in Darley Dale which sadly closed in 2005. I have been working as a Toy Library Worker since January 2005 for Erewash Surestart running three Toy Libraries around Ilkeston and am currently looking at expanding into Long Eaton.
To send a note to Lucinda Calladine please click here
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 Sarah Watson- Committee Member
I have worked in Derbyshire as a librarian since qualifying in 1982. I became a Children's Librarian in 1993, and took on the role of Books for Babies Project Librarian in 1997 as part of the Read On-Write Away literacy strategy. Although no longer part of ROWA, I still co-ordinate library services for Under 5s and their families & carers. I work closely with the team of Children's and Sure Start Librarians within Derbyshire's Cultural & Community Services Department. Key areas of my responsibility are in coordinating the Bookstart and Rhythm & Rhyme projects.
To send a note to Sarah Watson please click here
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Committee Officers
 Amy Smedley- Treasurer & Trustee
I have been a member of the Alices View Sure Start Children's Centre since 2004.My role involves working with children and their families in a variety of settings including parent and toddler groups, child health clinics and families homes.
I have been involved in the running of the Toy Library since April 2005 and I am now responsible for co-ordinating the services offered across the Children's Centres in North East Derbyshire including Dronfield, Eckington, Stonebroom, Clay Cross and North Wingfield.
I am the treasurer of the Derbyshire Toy Library Network.
I left Chesterfield college in 2004 after completing the CACHE Diploma in Childcare and Education. I then worked as a nanny for a holiday club in Greece for a season, when I returned in October 2004 I joined the North East Derbyshire Sure Start team based in North Wingfield, Chesterfield working in the local area. I am involved with working with children and there families in a variety of settings including parent and toddler groups, child health clinics and families homes. I have been involved with running the toy library since April 2005 and I am continuing to work in this area as we have now become a Children's Centre and are planning to take the service out to a wider area. I am also Treasurer for the Derbyshire Toy Library Network committee. .
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 Eileen Belfitt- Chairperson & Trustee
Eileen is our Chairperson, Trustee. She used to be the former Chair of the Child Development Centre Toy Library in Chesterfield. She worked as a specialist Pre-school Teacher for children with additional needs within Derbyshire for almost 30 years. Eileen advises and supports DTLN in her retirement.
To send a note to Eileen Belfitt please click here
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 James Green- Committee Member & Trustee
I am currently employed as Centre Manager for Stonebroom Children;s Centre. I was previously employed by Staveley Neighbourhood Management as a Community Developement Officer.
I first realised the potential for great things from Toy Libraries whilst setting up Staveley Toy Library. Toy Libraries are an excellent idea that develop children, parents and communities and I would like to see one in every area of Derbyshire which is why I joined the Derbyshire Toy Library Network.
I have a young daughter myself and enjoy playing football and rugby in my spare time.
To send a note to James Green please click here
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 Ruth Warren- Secretary
I am married to Alan, with two children Barrie and Luke. I have been a volunteer for Treasure Trove Toy Library based at Highfield Hall Chesterfield for past four years were I co-ordinate weekly "Stay & Play Sessions. I am also involved with Treasure Trove Toy Library satellite at the Parish Centre, Sheffield Road, Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire Toy Library Network.
To send a note to Ruth Warren please click here
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Management
 Ann-Marie McMillan- Toy Library Consultant
My role involves supporting members. Overseeing development and co-ordinating Service Level Agreements and grants recieved. Background info: I was involved in setting up Crich Toy Library as a parent volunteer in 2000, this led to me obtaining post at Outreach Worker for Derbyshire with National Association of Toy & Leisure Libraries (NATLL) funded by Derbyshire County Council (November 2000 - March 2004). I continue to work part time for NATLL as Trainer and Quality Play Matters Adviser.
To send a note to Ann-Marie McMillan please click here
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 Donna Longden- Toy Library Consultant
I am married to Olly and have two children - Phoebe 6 and Kieran 5. I helped to set up and have been running Staveley Toy Library for the last 3 years, for which I am Outreach Worker. I enjoy getting involved in the community and am a member of several groups in the Staveley area as I believe you have to get involved in your community to make a difference.
To send a note to Donna Longden please click here
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 Vicki Plant- Business & Finance Consultant (MBA)
I am married to Andy and have two boys Jake & Jamie. My interest in Toy Libraries began when I joined Crich Toy Library as a volunteer in 2002. I have a degree in computing and mathematics and completed my MBA (Masters in Business & Administration) whilst Chair of Crich Toy Library. Although my family has recently moved to France I am able to continue my support of DTLN via modern technology "internet & video conferencing"
To send a note to Vicki Plant please click here
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