A Bristol children’s play charity has been so successful it is asking local businesses to donate more scrap materials so it can keep up with demand from schools.
Children’s Scrapstore is celebrating installing its 50th outdoor play facility in the region this week, a giant box known as a Scrapstore PlayPod®, filled with donated waste or scrap, which children use for play.
Scrapstore PlayPods® have been shown to transform children’s daily experiences at school by giving them the opportunity to play together, reducing playground disputes and helping children to be ready to learn in the classroom.
Jeff Hill, Children’s Scrapstore chief executive said:
“This is a major landmark for us and we’re now receiving enquiries for PlayPods from across the region and as far afield as Birmingham. They can make a real difference to life at school. Children enjoy playing with the waste items and headteachers report that children are happier and more ready to learn after a ‘PlayPod’ lunchtime with significant improvements in reported behaviour.
“We all know from our own experience that young children are often as happy to play with the box as with the toy that comes in it and this is the same principle with a Scrapstore PlayPod. It gives children something wonderful to play with in the playground, using their imaginations and learning to work together which are all vital parts of a child’s development.”
Shirehampton Primary School has just opened its brand new Scrapstore PlayPod this week. Headteacher Louisa Munton, said:
“The children and the staff are so excited about the Scrapstore PlayPod. In just a few days it’s already transformed playtimes. They’re building tyre swings and hammocks, building shelters and dens and generally enjoying the opportunity to play and use their imagination. And there’s a real learning benefit too. They’re coming back into class after lunch engaged and excited and ready to learn.”
The scheme has been so successful that Scrapstore is now seeking more waste from businesses in the region for children to use. They’re on the hunt for a wide range of materials that businesses routinely throw away, anything from giant flexible tubes, crates and netting to unwanted phones, keyboards packaging and workwear.
Collections of waste are normally free saving businesses money on waste disposal as well as ensuring that material is being put to good use.
“There’s no end to the things children dream up to do with the things many businesses throw away and by donating to Scrapstore, businesses can save money and reduce landfill” explains Jeff.
To enquire about donating scrap from businesses email [email protected] or phone 0117 908 2091