Maynooth Access Group was thrilled to loan out the inclusive toy resource “Our World” to Simona Leonard for her presentation on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion to the Sallins’ Ladybirds, Brownies and Girl Guide groups. The Our World programme is all about learning through play and our diverse and inclusive toys and teddies affords children the opportunity to play and engage with toys to which they can relate and reflects the diversity of the world they are growing up in.

Simona Leonard review for Sallins IGG Our World toys loan

I first came across the Our World collection, when the North Kildare Carer Group I am part of, shared a post by the Maynooth Access Group, spending time with the Brownies for an event on National Disability Awareness day 2024.

The photos from the day looked amazing: the resources they shared with the children, as well as the engagement from the presenters and the mesmerised looks on the kids’ faces.

I reached out to my local IGG branch in Sallins to bring the idea to them and share the same emotions and message with the local girls.

I am mum to 4 children, one of whom is autistic, and since his diagnosis I have tried to learn as much as I can about autism and neuro-variance, to become the best parent I can for him.

I am passionate about awareness, acceptance and action/inclusion and for children to understand all about it from a very young age.

I already held a certificate from DESSA on advocacy through the Kildare Autism Network, I had attended a lot of webinars and training sessions on these matters, and I am gaining a L8 certificate on EDI through SETU Carlow, thanks to Family Carers Ireland.

I am not an expert by any means, but I volunteered my time for the Sallins IGG, who graciously accepted the offer as part of their IGG Disability Badge.

So I reached out to Maynooth Access Group to inquire about the Our World collection and how to potentially borrow it for my talk.

And I met a caring, warm, exceptional team of people who radiate positivity all around them, and who have an incredible wealth of knowledge on disability, access and inclusion matters.

They kindly lent me box upon box of wonderful toys and resources that I was able to share in Sallins. The children leaders and parents were all taken aback by the beautiful collection, and all it represents.

The children’s ages ranged from 5 to 13 and they were all so attentive and curious about the subject.

I was blown away by the interactions I could hear amongst them, when we let them roam freely amongst the toys: so much knowledge out there already that we just need to tap into and scaffold for the future women of our society.

I am so grateful to have met the ladies of Maynooth Access Group. Their work for the community is inspirational and hopefully we will be able to collaborate again on spreading such an important message.

Simona Leonard, Sallins, Co Kildare

If you are a school, preschool or community group based in Kildare and would like to borrow the toys please send an email to Maynoothacccessgroup@gmail.com.