In early 2026 we ran a series of creative workshops for Exeter-based community workshop leaders, teachers, tutors, activists and educators. Sharing the value of using repurposed and recycled materials to use in developmental, community and learning sessions, with creative approaches and ways of working with our scrap.
All the Books in the World with artist Megan Dowsett [@norrisandtheflamingo]
Delve into the papers available at the scrapstore and explore fun, simple ways to transform them into books for different purposes. We’ll think about expressive books as a creative medium: how to make individual and group books that share a message, explore a theme or celebrate a project. And we’ll think about waste-free books: how to turn all the spare paper at home, work and the scrapstore into notebooks, project books and sketchbooks using simple techniques that children aged KS2 + could easily learn.
Storytelling Through Scrap is a joyful, hands-on workshop led by Dion Saunders – a friendly, experienced creative facilitator who loves making imagination feel easy and accessible [@thearthopper_events]. She will guide you through turning colourful scrap and reclaimed materials into quirky characters, tiny worlds, and playful story props or costume, using simple prompts that spark ideas fast. There’s no pressure, no need to be good at “art”, just curiosity, laughter, and lots of creative freedom.
Sets and Displays with local prop and display maker Lizi Bennett [@bennettlizi] is an introductory workshop to the basics of 3D prop modelling, building scenery and creating standalone displays using materials from the Exeter Scrapstore. Perfect for learning techniques for working with cardboard and other recycled materials whilst gaining inspiration for themed classroom or community displays, modelling projects, practical demonstrations and more.
This project was funded with the support of the Creative Arc Programme, an initiative funded by the University of Exeter, Exeter City Council and the UK government through the Shared Prosperity Fund.