SCRAPantics
ScrapAntics is a social enterprise that provides a bridge between industry and education through the creative recycling and reuse of industrial waste. Using creative thinking and strong community connections over the last 3 years ScrapAntics has diverted 45 tonnes of industrial waste from landfill and created nearly £100,000 of revenue. The unique aspect of our business is that the 45 tonnes of waste material is our stock. Our business literally makes money, improves lives and addresses climate change with waste. Materials that would otherwise be sent to landfill is the stock we sell in our shop, complete our loose parts play school contracts, maintain our art workshops, and enable our business to run with little overheads.
ScrapAntics recycles Local Industrial and Retail excess, (that would otherwise go to Landfill) in
*. Our shop, rehoming resources to be used in many creative ways by businesses and local individuals
*. As educational resources in workshops with local schools and colleges
*. Working in community centres promoting sustainable behaviour change and community cohesion
ScrapAntics has diverted from Landfill over 50 tonnes of local waste
Our shop is diverse and eclectic and is used for buying art, craft and design materials, props for small theatre productions, display items for small shops and businesses and intriguing bits and pieces for use around the home not to mention we get a lot of musical instruments! Due to the fact that everything is donated we can afford to sell very reasonably. We do require a membership to be bought if spending over £2.per person on a visit.
Loose parts play is the use of everyday materials in child-led free play. It is an inclusive approach to learning and development that is accessible to children at different stages of development, including children with additional support needs. Alongside providing schools with ‘Loose parts’ we run a variety of workshops for all ages that support creative thinking and sustainability, explained briefly below,
- Loose Parts Play – training delivered to Primary Schools on how to facilitate child-led creative play
- Arts Workshops – bespoke creative workshops delivered in Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and Colleges that respond to specific skills gaps among teaching staff to ensure delivery on curricular requirements
- Sustainability and Citizenship Education workshops – training delivered in Secondary Schools and Colleges on key issues in relation to sustainability, public creativity and up-cycling.
- Bespoke workshops are delivered by our Community Artists to increase accessibility to artistic knowledge and skills and inspire creativity
In October 2019 SA procured a second building, which we have refurbished to create six artist studios (which currently accommodate 11 community artists), a community space and the provision of much-needed storage space. Hiring of our community space for parties, gatherings or meetings is open to all. We also deliver life-drawing classes for both adults and youth groups. These are run in 6-week blocks and are facilitated by Siobhan, one of ScrapAntics Directors, a trained artist and sculptor.
We are community led and have a great team of about 15 women and men and are also supported by some fantastic staff that volunteer their time to us and help us fulfil the many ideas. Opening times are Tuesday 10-2,Wednesday 12-4 and Thursdays 12-6pm with every 1st Saturday of the month 10-1pm. Why don’t you pop down and see us sometime. Who knows what you’ll find!