We're delighted to announce two prizes for our Upcycled Mud Kitchen! In the Practical Pre-School Outdoor Toys & Equipment category, the Upcycled Mud Kitchen received a Gold Award and in the Primary Teacher Update Awards, although it received a Silver award, it was still the Overall Winner for that category.
Exclusively designed by Playforce, the Upcycled Mud Kitchen is made from recycled timber and was designed to develop communication, role play and imagination. Schools are also encouraged to use it to develop mathematical literacy through the provision of a ‘mud recipe’ for children to work through, using mud, water, twigs, leaves and any natural materials they can think of to cook up a muddy storm in their playspace. Produced exclusively for Playforce by local Wiltshire business, Wiltshire Wood Recycling, all of the kitchen equipment is upcycled, making it even more special as no two sets are ever exactly the same.
Playforce’s partnership with Wiltshire Wood Recycling, on this product, demonstrates the playground and outdoor space provider’s commitment to sustainable production methods, as well as wider social responsibility. The wood used to build each unique Mud Kitchen is diverted from landfill, as well as being collected from construction, joiner and other businesses at a fee below that of conventional skip hire. As part of the National Community Wood Recycling Project, Wiltshire Wood Recycling is an award winning ‘not for profit’ Community Interest Company, formed in early 2006 to offer environmental and social benefits to the community of Wiltshire.
Playforce’s Upcycled Mud Kitchens are special, however, not just because of their sustainable production but because of the wider community impact they have. Wiltshire Wood Recycling was chosen for this exclusive project because of its commitment to offering volunteer and work placements for individuals who are finding it hard to enter or re-enter the job market. These include the long-term unemployed, those in rehabilitation or other ‘socially marginalised’ groups.
Mark Wood, Managing Director for Play at Playforce’s parent company, TCL Group says:
“Minimising negative environmental and social impact doesn’t stop with our own activities. We take our environmental and social responsibility really seriously. We work hard to source sustainable or recyclable materials, and refuse to stop looking for new and better ways to improve our energy efficiency, water usage, waste disposal and emissions to air. Importantly, we’re always on the look out for more responsible ways to put our products into production. Working with Wiltshire Wood Recycling not only meets our objectives on an environmental level but helps us to contribute to making a significant, measurable impact on the local community.”
He went on: “We believe our Upcycled Mud Kitchens present a strong message to children about the importance of recycling and getting the very best from natural resources. When schools share the story of who built them it also helps children to understand the importance of supporting local community enterprises, as well as marginalised groups within society. It can help them to learn that we all have something to contribute if we take the opportunities presented.”
We won two prizes. In the Practical Pre-School Outdoor Toys & Equipment category, the Upcycled Mud Kitchen received a Gold Award and in the Primary Teacher Update Awards, although it received a Silver award, it was still the Overall Winner for that category.
For more information please see www.playforce.co.uk and http://www.playforce.co.uk/upcycled-mud-kitchen