A Lancaster arts and community centre is launching 'Give and Take Days' where people can bring unwanted items to help reduce waste in the city.
The first Lancaster Give and Take Day takes place at the Gregson Centre on August 12 from 10am to 1pm with more to follow over coming months.
Instead of throwing unwanted household items away, people from across Lancaster are invited to take them to the Gregson, either in advance at the centre’s collection point or on the day.
The items will then be offered to anyone who would like them for free or for a donation to the centre.
“As the saying goes: ’one person’s waste is another person’s treasure’ and we’re hoping that this initiative will help reduce waste in our community,” said Charles Tyrer, chief executive officer of the Gregson.
Among items already donated are kitchenware, rugs, sewing boxes and clothes.
Future Give and Take Days will run on October 21, January 27 and April 13 and could become a permanent fixture in the Gregson (pictured below) which continues to develop since the charity took over running the building directly.
The Give and Take Days are ideal for people with items they no longer need, or if children have grown out of their clothes or outgrown their toys, or if you want an excuse to finally get round to that clear-out.
The Gregson is looking for:
- Kitchenware & utensils
- Cutlery, crockery
- Pictures
- Ornaments, trinkets & treasures
- Jewellery, scarves, bags
- Clothing in good condition
- Toys, games and puzzles
- Books & vinyl
They can't take:
- Electrical items
- Second-hand bedding
- Things that are broken or incomplete
- DVDs
- Food
All items are free to take.
The Give and Take Days are part of the Gregson's aim to be more environmentally conscious.
Recently, a permanent Plant Swap has been launched in the centre’s 'Yarden' which has seen a concrete area transformed into a bright and colourful community space by volunteers using donated plants and upcycled objects.
Both the Give and Take Days and Plant Swap will help to begin conversations with the community in Lancaster about what more could be done locally to address the climate crisis.
The Gregson’s business plan already makes a commitment to reducing the centre’s carbon footprint and an environmental action plan is in the pipeline now the charity is becoming more established.
One of the Gregson's sub groups is the environmental and ecology project, The Friends of Miss Whalley’s Field, and the centre is a food collection point for The Plot run by Food Futures.
The Gregson also wants to consult with the community about further environmentally conscious activities which could be delivered there in future.
Lancaster Give and Take Days will be led by volunteers in the main hall of the Gregson and are funded by Food Futures Closing Loops – Pots of Possibility Fund thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund.
For more information about Lancaster Give and Take Days, ring the Gregson on 01524 84959 or see here.
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