milton keynes community enterprise

Scrapstore at MK Play Association - foam, felt and fabrics: they won’t cost the earth.

Milton Keynes' Scrapstore takes in pretty much anything that's too good to throw away and re-distributes it for design and artwork in play, learning or care environments. As a result, commercial discarded products and materials that would normally be heading for landfill are being put to good use within the community. In addition, the Scrapstore Resource Shop buys in art and craft materials from manufacturers at a reduced cost for sale at minimum amounts to people and groups that most need them. Scrapstore's membership comprises nurseries, pre-schools, schools, colleges, scouts and guides, church groups, special needs and community groups who either buy goods at greatly reduced cost or make a donation in return for scrap offcuts, overruns and clearance stock. Scrapstore is part of Milton Keynes Play Association and inherited its innovative work from C.R.O.P. (Community Recycling Opportunities Programme) around 18 years ago. The Play Association and Scrapstore quickly outgrew their original Stacey Bushes premises, necessitating a move to their current home at Kiln Farm, Milton Keynes. Resembling a well-organised treasure trove, Scrapstore is run by Resource Services Manager Nick Deighton and a small, dedicated team. Their motivation is driven in part by the knowledge that their work means discarded materials take on a new life. The organisation profits from only a small mark up on goods sold and donations, together with hire charges for play equipment; that profit is plowed back into the organisation for running costs, re-investment in stock goods, wages and insurances. As a fully formed social enterprise, it is both a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. Nick and his team are real scrap enthusiasts, with keen eyes for anything about to be wasted that could make a big difference elsewhere. Its stock-in-trade is unlikely to dry up; the Milton Keynes Scrapstore is in fact one of a national network of scrapstores – which often organise large scale swapshops to boost resources! Although often faced by the challenge of having to fund new initiatives (through grants), all at the organisation are justifiably proud of the work they do and the benefits it brings. "We enjoy the part we play in lessening negative impact on the environment and reducing landfill," says Nick. "But we also provide much needed resources for education through art for the young and disadvantaged people of the city. There's also great satisfaction to be had by providing individuals and other organisations at work in the community who can least afford it with the resources they need. Seeing the knock-on effect is very rewarding.” As a highly effective socially responsible business, the Scrapstore has a wider role too – promoting links between business and the community and educating industry to look closely at all aspects of waste disposal. As Nick Deighton himself puts it, “it doesn’t have to cost the earth”.

View more Success Stories