A recycle and reuse charity shop in Reepham has reopened to the public with a new patron – six months after lockdown started in March.
Some of the volunteers, staff and trustees, together with new patron, the Bishop of Norwich, Rt Rev’d Graham Usher, at the reopening of Scrapbox. Photos: Andrew Whitehead
Based at the Collers Way Industrial Estate, Scrapbox reopened its doors on Wednesday 9 September, offering repurposed materials to crafters, organisations and charities that use recycled resources.
This followed an enormous amount of work by staff, trustees and volunteers in recent weeks to make the shop “Covid-safe”.
This included the introduction of a new door and a one-way system around the shop, as well as limits on the numbers allowed in the shop at any time.
The reopening of Scrapbox, which took place on Monday 7 September, also saw the charity reveal its new patron to the public: the Bishop of Norwich, Rt Rev’d Graham Usher.
Bishop Graham, who is known for his background in ecology as well as his enthusiasm for environmental causes, accepted the trustees’ invitation to take on a formal role with the charity.
Scrapbox manager Tula Chenery said: “We’re really excited that we’re now in a position to reopen, having been closed for six months and knowing how desperate our members have become for resources.
“The Scrapbox shopping experience may be a little different for a while, but we’ve still got a fantastic range of reclaimed resources as usual in our revamped shop.”
The reopening of the charity brings with it a call for new volunteers and staff are particularly looking for people to help on Thursdays to prepare stock for the shop.
The new opening hours for Scrapbox will be Wednesdays 2–5 pm, Thursdays 2– 5 pm and Saturdays 11 am – 2 pm.
No donations of materials will be accepted during September.
Anyone who can spare three hours, either weekly or occasionally, to be part of Scrapbox should contact Tula Chenery on 01603 873128 or by email.
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