Work and Play Scrapstore gains ground as the circular economy gains momentum

Work and Play Scrapstore (WaPS) – the arts and crafts re-use charity – reported a record year for the charity at its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday November 19^th 2024.

The charity’s Annual Report & Accounts, released on the day for the financial year ended March 2024, shows that WaPS either improved or equalled its performance on many measures:

• We have seen YoY growth in the number of memberships and we estimate that we now have over a record 862 members, made up of nurseries, schools, colleges, families and childminders
• We reported stronger revenues and larger grant awards
• We diverted an estimated 60 tonnes of waste away from landfill or incineration
• The estimated value of materials taken from the Scrapstore this year was £220,000, an increase of 25% on the previous year.
• Saturday opening has increased our accessibility to existing and new members
• The appointment of a staff member to secure more donations from local businesses – and particularly the film annd TV industries – has filled our shelves with even more eclectic materials for members.

“Thanks to our increased social media activity, partnerships, collaborations and participation in local events, 2023-2024 has been another positive year for WaPs operationally, “ said Jen Dolan, Operations Manager.

“This year, we further strengthened our role in the community, with a growing membership, more active volunteers and increased donations,” says Dolan.  “We have expanded our reach and built stronger connections, making a real impact on local families, schools and artists, all of whom are feeling the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis.”

In this financial year we were also recognised by the Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce as its Environmental/Sustainability Champion as part of the Chamber’s annual Wandsworth Business Awards.

Scrapstore is perfectly positioned to benefit from fresh opportunities as the circular economy gains momentum. Our message of helping people to understand the environmental impact of waste and encouraging re-use is our DNA and society is finally catching up with us after 35 years. Today, more than ever, it has never been more important to consider our impact on the planet, and Scrapstore is ready to grab the evolving opportunity for growth without risk to the formula that is working well today.