Tag: Sling Library

The Webshop is Here!

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I am so excited to announce that the Sheen Slings webshop is here!

For a long time it has been possible to purchase through us, but only to those coming along to a session, for a consultation or following a hire. Now it is easier than ever! You can browse our full collection online, check out the colour-ways, read the descriptions and reviews and then when your ready purchase without needing to do so in person.

This is a step I put off for a long time, because I passionately believe that it is so important to try a sling or carrier on before purchasing. Just as you would a pair of shoes or a pair of jeans – fit is everything. Having a carrier that fits you well, that you are completely confident using and adjusting can make a huge difference! Saving your back, giving your hands back and allowing you snug baby on the move.

So, if you can please please do ensure you try any carrier or sling on before investing in it. Check out our services page to read more about how to go about trying and hiring.

Then when you are ready to purchase the webshop is there to make it as easy as possible for you. This is what I have learnt from you guys – offering the option to buy online doesn’t subtract from our service, it doesn’t prevent people from accessing and gaining help and advice. Instead is adds to the service by making it easier. Easier to go home and have a think first and not having to worry about coming back to collect. Easier to check out options while still mulling it over. Easier to buy something for a second baby that you tried out with the first baby but didn’t need at the time.

And those buying online can enjoy all the same benefits that those buying in person do;

  • Advice from an independent, highly trained babywearing consultant with over 6 years experience matching families up with the right options for them individually
  • Range of different carriers far wider than offered on the high street, and extensive product knowledge, making it far more likely we will have exactly the right thing for you
  • The teaching skills and knowledge base to ensure you can learn exactly how to get the most out of your carrier and get the best fit for you and your baby
  • Ongoing support, so if you ever lose confidence in the future or are worried about anything you know you can come back and we will sort it.

So here it is – the webshop! Happy Shopping!

-Madeleine

New Social Distancing Friendly Services and how to get Sling Help over the next few weeks…

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When I was studying viruses and what would happen if a new virus spread through a naive population as part of my MRes in Infection and Immunity I have to say I never really imagined actually being in a pandemic in my lifetime.  It feels surreal.  The scale and the daily changes to the guidelines and feelings of uncertainty about what’s best has felt hugely overwhelming.

But now is not the time for wallowing!  I have been so struck by how amazingly well my local community has pulled together, ensuring everyone is supported while remaining distant and following the guidelines.

Likewise I want to ensure everyone in my local community still has access to sling help if they need it.  While Sling Library sessions, One to One consults and all direct face to face contact is suspended for the time being, I will still be offering help in the following ways:

  1. Door-step Hires and Sales
  2. Postal or Hand-delivered Hires and Sales
  3. Video Consults

This is how each of these will work:

Door-step Hires and Sales

If you know what sling or carrier you’d like to borrow and know how to use it, simply get in contact.  Tell me what day you’d like to come and collect and I’ll firstly ensure it is freshly laundered and then popped out into my front porch for you to collect.  I’ll pop it out there just before your due so it doesn’t come into contact with anyone else.  You won’t need to see me or any other member of my family.  Likewise if you wish to purchase a sling or carrier, your new in box carrier will be placed in my porch for you to simply grab.  We’ll organise payment online so no need to handle cash.

Postal or Hand-delivered Hires and Sale

I can also come to you!  While we are still allowed outside for exercise, I can cycle over to you and drop carriers for hire or sale off with you at your doorstep.  Again we’ll organise payment online so no need for contact on the day, just drop me a message to set this up.

Video consults

All our consults are moving online via Zoom!  If you’d like some help – discovering new slings or carriers that might be right for you, or help with something you already own we can set up a mutually agreeable time to video chat on Zoom.  I can also use WhatsApp video or Facebook messenger.  Cost depends on your needs – a full consult costs £25 for 1 hour, but I can also do mini consults (perfect if you just want a quick fit check and a couple of tips) and these cost £5 per 10 minutes and you simply pay for the time you need (i.e. £5 for 10 minutes or £15 for 30 minutes etc etc you get the idea!)

These can also be perfect if you need a sling and are not sure what to hire or buy, we can have an initial video conversation where I demo and show you the options.  Then I can get whatever you choose over to you and we can have a follow up second video chat where I can help you ensure your completely confident fitting and using the sling you’ve borrowed or bought.

 

-Madeleine

FAQ – How do Doorstep Hires work?

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While I strongly believe in how much difference face to face help and support when trying out new slings and carriers can make.  Sometimes, just occasionally, it’s not needed.  Sometimes you know exactly what you’d like to borrow and just want to hire directly.

Maybe you’ve already been to the library and didn’t hire something you tried at the time and would like to now.  Maybe you’re already an experienced babywearer who is going on holiday and want to hire a lighter weight carrier or a toddler carrier for that trip.  Or maybe you are really struggling to make a session, and want to try something a friend has recommended first before committing the time to come to a session or schedule a consultation.  There are many reasons you might want to hire a sling without coming to a Library session or booking a consult first.

For this, I offer “doorstep hires”!

To arrange a doorstep hire you simply get in touch with me (by email, via the form on my contact page, WhatsApp, text, Facebook or Instagram message) and let me know what you want to hire and what day you’d like to collect it.

I then confirm whether your chosen carrier is available for your desired collection date, and if it I will ask you to fill out the following hire form (although, please only fill out if I have confirmed the carrier is in stock!), as well as confirming costs and how best to pay.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSehvYpCGcd2O6LniSMVJkQa7yLw4tIwUweWM5eCXo2jq5bl7Q/viewform?usp=sf_link

Then on the day I pop your chosen sling in my front porch for you to collect at anytime at all that day.  For payment, I accept cash on collection (posted through my main front door), or bank transfer or paypal in advance.

It’s that easy!

Then you simply enjoy your hire and return to my front porch at the end of your hire period!

Things to note, if your are considering if a doorstep collection;

  • There is no additional charge for organising a door step collection, you pay only for your hire period.
  • There is no opportunity to be shown how to use the carrier or to try it first.  The sling will be in my front porch and I am often not present when doorstep hires are collected.
  • If you would like to be shown how to use the carrier, or would like to try one or two different options and compare them before deciding which to hire please do consider booking a mini-consultation (£15 for upto 30 minutes one to one help and advice) or coming along to a sling library session instead.
  • You are welcome to ask a couple of questions about suitability of a particular carrier for you personally and what else I might suggest when arranging your doorstep hire but please bear in mind that this is no subsitute for face to face help. Without seeing you and your little one in the carrier I have I can not be sure it will work for you, so I can only offer fairly generic advice and not truly tailored information.  As such the doorstep hires works best for those who already have tried or know well what they are intending to hire.

 

-Madeleine

 

 

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Summer at Sheen Slings!

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Summer is definitely well and truly finally here!   And I simply can’t wait for the holidays and getting to spend more time with my big boy in particular.  School is such a huge part of our lives now and I know both of us are looking forward all the fun we have planned for the summer break!

But fear not, Sheen Slings will still be continuing over the summer!  Albeit to a different slightly reduced schedule…

Drop In sessions:

There will be 2 drop in sessions over the summer, one in Kingston and one in my home (please see here for full details on what to expect at these sessions).

  • Tuesday 16th July, 11am-12pm @Kingston Town Children’s Centre, 40 Villiers Road, Kingston Upon Thames, KT1 3AR
  • Friday 9th August, 10am-11.30 @Madeleine’s home, 79 Lower Richmond Road, Mortlake, SW14 7HU

 

Private Consults:

Private Consults in my home can be booked for any mutually agreeable time during any of the following dates during the summer break:

  • Monday 15th to Sunday 20th July
  • Wednesday 31st July to Tuesday 20th August
  • Friday 30th August onwards into September and the rest of the year.

I will also be offering consults in client’s homes too but for child care reasons these will be limited to the following weekends:

  • 20th July,
  • 3rd/4th, 10th/11th, 17th/18th August
  • 31st/1st September.

Full details of costs and how consults work can be found here.

 

Door Step Hires:

Know exactly what you’d like to hire and how to use it?  You are welcome to book a doorstep hire – simply drop me an email or social media direct message, let me know what you’d like to hire and when you would like to collect it and then I’ll pop it out in my front porch for you to come and collect anytime on the specified day.  Easy peasy!  While usually I only require 24 hours notice to arrange a doorstep hire (and sometimes possible with less notice!), I will be away 21st July through to 30th, and 21st August to 29th.  So if you require a doorstep hire between these dates, please ensure you contact me before I leave so that I can ensure the sling is ready for you (and/or husband is suitably briefed about what sling to put out and when!!!)

 

Then of course we will be back to normal with a full schedule of Sling Library sessions (both in Mortlake and Kingston), consults and workshops from September!   Additionally, Weekend Library sessions will be back from September onwards and hopefully some new venues might start popping up toward the end of the year or early next year!  As well as something new that I can’t wait to share with you all (for a clue head here!

 

-Madeleine