Hull Play Resource Centre, better known as The Hull ScrapStore was set up in 1988 and is run by a small team of core staff and dedicated volunteers. As well as providing scrap in the store, which is run for the benefit of members, who work with children and young people, we facilitate a large number of creative art and play workshops in local Schools, community groups and at open events.

The ScrapStore’s aim is to provide and promote creative art and play for children and young people

The objectives of ScrapStore are to:

  • Redistribute waste and surplus materials from local businesses to children and young people.
  • Develop training for adults and workshops for children.
  • Network and develop partnerships with other organisations.
  • Provide an equipment loan service and an arts materials shop.
  • Provide information regarding creative art and play.
  • Develop volunteering opportunities.

The Hull ScrapStore began life in 1988 as a summer play scheme initiative. Funding enabled the ScrapStore to become a year round provision providing children and young people with affordable art and play materials. The ‘scrap’ is collected from business and industry in the area, and for a small membership fee, any group that works with children or young people can come to the store and take away the scrap that they need. ScrapStore provides resources for member groups throughout Hull, East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. In 2010 we have 400 member groups. Member groups include, Schools, families, freelance artists, play workers, Youth Centres and many more.

Scrapstore moved to it’s current site on Dairycoates Avenue in 2000. The main store is full of materials such as paper, card, sticky-back plastic, tubes, fabric, plastic bottles and many more weird and wonderful things to spark the imagination. This is supplemented by the art shop where art and craft materials such as paint, brushes, clay, scissors and glue can be purchased at low cost with the aim of helping members to make the most of the ‘scrap’.

Scrapstore has facilitated creative art and play workshops for 15 years now working with thousands of children, young people and adults on a variety of projects and one off sessions. This work continues to develop with a team of 12 free lance artists now working with Scrapstore to facilitate and develop the work that we do.

In 2007 our first Play Ranger project was funded by Gateway (regeneration in the NASA area of Hull). Play Rangers work in the community at sites where children would normally play – in Parks and on the street. In 2010 we have 2 Play Ranger projects currently operating in the West of Hull at 14 different sites. Funding for current projects is provided by Gateway and Children in Need.

Since the project began hundreds of tonnes of locally produce ‘scrap’ materials have been turned into works of art by thousands of members of the community and thousands of children, young people and adults have had the opportunity to engage in creative art and play activities that stimulate and encourage creative thought and expression.

ScrapStore is a charity and as such has to raise all its own funds to survive. Over the years we have received funding from many different sources. We are currently working hard to raise our self generated income as other sources are becoming more scarce and there are many organisations chasing the same money – all with worthwhile causes.