Forum Topic

Suggestions for recycling toys & fabric?

Post Christmas, we find ourselves with a bag of good quality children's toys & accessories, and the wee step-daughter (in a moment of can't-believe-it-finally-went-in selflessness) would very much like them to go to poorly children, or those without toys.Does anyone have any suggestions?  I have been burned by freecycle in recent months and although I take her old clothes to charity shops, I'd rather donate directly to somewhere I know the toys will be enjoyed as much as they have in our house. Same goes for fabric too, as I try to clear out the last 10 years of my obsessive cheap yardage collection.  Any suggestions for local sewing groups/theatre wardrobes/craft societies that might like (amongst other things) 6 yards of crushed blue velvet that I know (now) that I will never use?

Cas Baker ● 5727d8 Comments

Any hospital with a childrens ward would, i'm sure welcome the toys. I always used to take mine to Great Ormond Street after seeing how damaged and well used their ones were.Sarah Baulch at Revampt may possibly be interested in your fabric. She can be found here:www.revampit.co.uk.She is a local lady who makes goods from recycled materials.Hope this helps.

Ellie Rose ● 5727d

Or try streetbank.com - always keen on free stuff and very local

Sara Nathan ● 5727d

I'm sure Acton Homeless Concern (1 Berrymead Gardens) would welcome toys and clothes.

Kim Bobsin ● 5726d

What was the issue with Freecycle?  I was thinking of contacting them to clear some stuff out but won't if there's anything dodgy.

Anne Brown ● 5726d

Maybe one of the nursery schools (Maples, Derwentwater) might like your fabric - they are always using it to drape in the 'home corner' to create imaginative new scenarios (doctors waiting room, woodland glade etc!!)for the children. Also, I have taken old books to the doctors surgery to put in the childrens' waiting area.

Rosie Blair ● 5726d

In my experience, it's not so much that its dodgy but you get swamped and can't keep up and can't see the no-hopers from the realy interested and it just all piles up and is exhausting and not worth it.

Sara Nathan ● 5726d

There is Fara kids in Ealing that collects and sells baby/kids stuff only. (between cafe rouge and W5 cafe)In South Acton Children Centre (which also houses a nursery) there is a toy library which always welcomes good quality second-hand toys and there is also a container for donation of all good quality toys/clothes etc etc. Nursery (for children from 6 months - 5 years - 6 different rooms!) would also love the fabric!Hope that helps,Giving is wonderful!

Monika Barry ● 5726d

Thank you everyone for such helpful suggestions, lots of things for me to investigate over the weekend!My issues with freecycle have been exactly as Sara said in her post; lots and lots of emails from people requesting things, but then not following up, not turning up or generally vanishing from cyberspace entirely when I try to contact them!  I've had some great experiences in the past, but the most recent collection of items I put on there led to all sorts of wasted time & frustration, so I'd rather leave it for the moment!

Cas Baker ● 5726d