A Toy Store Where Every Child Feels Seen

Aim: Bring diverse stories to life! Help us open our first inclusive children’s store celebrating Black and Brown joy, learning through play.

🌟 Welcome to Bibinee Dolls & Friends CIC 🌟

A joyful space where every child feels seen, celebrated and included.

Hi! I’m Stephanie Mensah — mum, author, and founder of Bibinee Dolls. Our journey began when my own son was bullied in nursery because of the colour of his skin. It broke my heart — and ignited a fire. I wanted to create something that would change how children see themselves and each other. That’s how Bibinee Dolls was born.

Now, we’re ready to take the next big step…

🏪 Our Vision: A Store Like No Other

We’re opening a physical store in the UK that’s dedicated to inclusion, joy and representation for children aged 0–7.

Called Bibinee Dolls & Friends, this space will sell:

• 🌍 Beautiful Black and Brown plush dolls

• 📚 Inclusive children’s books (many of which we’ve written ourselves!)

• 🧩 Educational puzzles and flashcards

• 👕 Personalised merch and gifts

But that’s not all. This won’t just be a shop.

It will also be a community hub:

• 🪑 Storytime sessions celebrating diverse voices

• 🎨 Arts & crafts workshops promoting creativity and confidence

• 🎓 Learning-through-play activities aligned with early years education

• 🫂 A welcoming space where families feel they truly belong

💖 Why It Matters

Representation isn’t a “nice to have.” It’s essential.

When children never see themselves reflected in books, toys, or shop shelves, it shapes their confidence. Their sense of worth. We want every child to walk into our store and feel proud of who they are — and curious about others.

Bibinee Dolls & Friends CIC exists to:

• 🧒 Boost self-esteem in children from diverse backgrounds

• 🎓 Support learning and early development

• 👪 Build bridges between communities through joy and shared experiences

🧾 How We’ll Use the Money

We’re raising funds to:

• Help cover the cost of the retail unit and store fit-out

• Furnish the reading corner and play area

• Stock our shelves with diverse, educational products

• Fund free community events and storytime sessions

• Support staff, volunteers, and outreach to local schools and nurseries

📣 Hear What Others Are Saying

“We need more places like this — my daughter found her confidence through your dolls.”
– Parent at The Baby Show

“Finally, a store that feels like home. My son saw a character that looked like him and shouted, ‘Mum, that’s me!’”
– London-based mum

🌈 Let’s Build This Together

We’ve done so much with so little — winning awards, getting stocked in major outlets, and bringing smiles to thousands of children.

But this next step needs you.

Please support us in opening the first store of its kind in the UK — a space that centres joy, learning, and representation from the very first moment of childhood.

Donate, share, or shout about us. Let’s make this magical dream a reality.

With love and hope,
Stephanie and the Bibinee Dolls & Friends Team 💛

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 8th August 2025 at 6:08pm