Cornwall ScrapStore

w, raw materials that are surplus to the manufacturer’s requirements and would normally be disposed of. ScrapStores collect these materials and display them in their premises for users to take. Users generally comprise of local community organisations, such as: schools, playgroups, uniform youth organisations (i.e. scouts), theatre or pantomime companies, ‘out of school’ organisations, and so on. Items are then usually used in art, craft and creative play activities. Many ScrapStores provide a membership scheme whereby users pay an annual subscription for access to the ScrapStore and its materials. Materials are either charged for or provided free under the membership scheme. Most ScrapStores in the UK are either charities or not for profit social enterprises, although some are run directly by local authorities. Other authorities in the South West run their own Scrapstore as a part of their services to the public; these are Plymouth City Council, South Somerset District and Exeter City Council,


Cornwall ScrapStore

Cornwall ScrapStore started life in 1994 as a Company Limited by Guarantee (Company No: 2981605) in an old Co-Operative building at St. Columb Road. With an initial membership of just 60 groups Cornwall ScrapStore’s reputation has grown steadily over the past 28 years and now runs two stores across the county and has an average annual membership of 500 groups, families and individuals. In 1998 Cornwall ScrapStore opened the first of its satellite stores in Camborne. This was followed in 2000 by a satellite store in Liskeard. We normally operate two stores. Sadly we had to move due to redevelopment and are currently seeking a replacement for our Pool store. For the time being we are operating from our main store at Goonamarris near St Austell. Location and opening times are available on our website. In 1999 Cornwall ScrapStore became a Registered Charity (Charity No: 1079557) and formed a Board of Trustees made up of interested and experienced local people. Since 1997 Cornwall ScrapStore has received sporadic grant funding and support from a variety of sources to help both develop services and sustain its existence. Presently Cornwall Scrapstore relies almost entirely upon income through membership with the occasional small grant. In the early years money was sought from Charitable Trusts, such as The Esmee, Fairbairn Trust, then later from County Environmental Trust until Government regulations changed and that source of funding became inaccessible. Cornwall ScrapStore relies on additional funding as its ethos is providing free materials at a minimal cost through its annual subscriptions. Benefits

The benefits of such a resource to those working creatively with children are significant. Firstly, there is free access to basic and much needed materials, such as paper, card and fabric. Secondly, there is the opportunity to sample a wide variety of unusual and exciting items that might otherwise be cost prohibitive or unavailable in the normal way. The benefits to local businesses are also significant. The availability of a project that takes unwanted materials, labelled ‘waste’ by most manufacturers, and offers them to the local community is in itself rewarding for socially conscious businesses. However, materials are removed with no charge to companies, therefore offering very real monetary savings. The benefits to the environment are also a significant consideration as ScrapStores save valuable resources being dumped in landfill sites or sent for incineration. Added to this are the very real savings that ScrapStores provide in the sense that members need not purchase new materials when they are taking advantage of reusable items. Public awareness of the opportunity to reduce, reuse and recycle is reinforced each time someone visits his or her local ScrapStore. Ideas for reusing resources are presented through exemplars and photographs. Often members will visit the ScrapStore to be ‘inspired’ by the materials, taking their cue for projects from what is on offer rather than developing a project and then purchasing the items that are needed. Each time a teacher returns to the classroom with materials from the ScrapStore he or she is representing an example of positive environmental sustainability to their pupils, and children duly respond with ideas for reusing items found in their homes for school projects. To summarise the words of Jonathon Porret: “The fact that ScrapStores exist is in itself a wonderful example of how the 3Rs philosophy works in real terms”. Since its instigation Cornwall ScrapStore has been working closely with volunteer bureaux and work placement agencies to provide opportunities for work placements. Since 1997, when New Deal was introduced, Cornwall ScrapStore has provided well over fifty work placements for long term unemployed people. Also Cornwall ScrapStore has enjoyed the support of more than twenty volunteers within its three stores over its 28 year history. Cornwall ScrapStore has worked with C.C.C. Adult Services in the past to develop plans to allow members of two of their day centres to become directly involved in the day-to-day running of its Liskeard ScrapStore. This lead, in September 2007, to staff and members from Priory House in Bodmin and Morley Tamblyn Lodge in Liskeard took over the operation of Liskeard ScrapStore. This shared staffing arrangement allowed those with disabilities to experience work in a real life setting. Cornwall ScrapStore also acts as a retail outlet offering art and craft materials at competitive prices to supplement the free materials that the members take away with them. This helps to contribute to the running costs of the organization. The Trustees are actively engaged in trying to minimize the financial support needed to run Scrapstore by encouraging businesses that use ScrapStore to become members and pay an annual subscription. Cornwall Council Family Services has been instrumental in encouraging family and other groups working with children to use the services by signing up groups as members in return for financial assistance. Cornwal Council’s Waste Disposal Authority has given assistance in the form of sponsoring projects aimed at advertising in schools and help with distribution of materials to schools throughout the county. A large number of Cornish schools, nurseries, out of school clubs, scouts/guides, colleges, etc. are members of SrapStore, and greatly value the opportunity to receive high quality materials suitable for art, craft, drama and creative play.