The nearly new children’s warehouse, TEDS Emporium, in Ringwood is losing its home at the end of November.
The toy exchange and donate scheme has grown from a nearly new clothing outlet, to a ‘community hub’ where parents and children get together for various activities, tea and coffee.
TEDS lady Dana Elsworth says, “Becoming homeless poses a huge problem for TEDS. We urgently need a large storage area or new premises so we can continue trading. Ideally the premises would be in Ringwood, Verwood, Bournemouth or Poole.”
It is hoped the new premises will be large enough to incorporate a sales area, baby play area, play site, rooms for music sessions, events, parties, café, counselling service, plus parking and safe access for all.
As well as selling nearly new clothes, TEDS has donated £1,350 and clothes to various charities. Dana has also donated her 4×4 to the Myra’s Wells charity, run by Eddie Martin in West Moors. The vehicle will be shipped to one of the poorest countries in Africa for use by an orphanage to pick up pupils and take them to school so they can get an education.
Despite all these charitable acts, the plight of TEDS looms closer, “We are desperate to hear from anyone who can help us with a big building that can enable us to continue to do our community and charitable work with those who most need the support within our area and where we can provide a fun, safe, informative, friendly environment for the adult carers and parents of children that choose to visit us from the area including Lymington, Andover, Salisbury, Bournemouth, Poole and Blandford (and everywhere in between),” says Dana.
“Meanwhile we are still carrying on until nearly the end of November and are delighted to welcome the Hampshire County Council Playbus to TEDS every Tuesday where children can enjoy the onboard play area, activities and sensory toys. The Action For Children ladies will be there to offer information and support on all child/parent/carer related queries and can signpost you to other areas for support should you need. During the bus session, TEDS will operate as normal with our wonderful staff making the teas and coffees.”
If anyone can help TEDS in their search for new premises, call Dana on 07795 109559.
