From boxes to insect houses: surplus to repurposed

A Good Thing is an online platform that allows businesses to give things away to their local charities. Less to landfill, more to a good cause! The case study below is an example of the wonderful impact that can be made through these matches.

A series of recent donations by Willsmer Wagg, an A Good Thing subscriber based in Worthing, Sussex, have made a meaningful difference for several local charities. The donation included 157 Rubik’s cubes, 288 black cardboard hamper boxes, some brand-new mailer boxes, and 40 wooden giftboxes, all of which have already been put to practical and creative use.

It is exciting to see previously unwanted items being completely repurposed by the charities that received them. Thanks to this donation, these organisations can stretch their resources further, offer more activities, and make a tangible impact on their communities – all thanks to the support of Willsmer Wagg.

From Worthing to the wider community

Willsmer Wagg is known for its creative merchandise, gift packaging and fulfilment services, but also for the strong values that underpin the way it does business. The firm has recently been awarded the EcoVadis Platinum Medal, which places it in the top 1% of companies globally for sustainability. A Good Thing offers its special thanks to managing director Debbie Willsmer and the whole team for their generosity and ongoing support.

Rubik’s cubes redirected

The 157 Rubik’s cubes became a valuable resource for The Sid Youth CIC, an organisation that provides a safe and engaging environment for young people in the area. The organisation offers various programmes, including school workshops, mentoring and the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) initiative, all aimed at fostering positive development and wellbeing among local young people.

Paul Read from The Sid Youth expressed the difference these puzzles can have:

“The Sid Youth supports young people in Worthing and surrounding areas. We can definitely use these to give out to its young people.”

By incorporating such resources into its programmes, The Sid Youth continues to enhance the support it offers to the community, ensuring that young people have access to opportunities that encourage growth and learning.

Giving boxes a second life

The cardboard giftboxes and mailer boxes became a valuable resource for MSI Reproductive Choices, a leading provider of sexual and reproductive health services in the UK. The donation of these items supports MSI in its ongoing work to provide accessible and equitable healthcare services.

Some of the cardboard giftboxes were matched with Leicestershire-based Sharnford Youth Club, a charity that plays a crucial part in fostering community spirit, supporting youth development, and offering opportunities for social interaction and personal growth.

Laura Thirlby from the charity explained: “We would use some of these to package up and distribute the ex-hotel toiletries we receive for our foodbank. We will be using the giftboxes to help present our raffle prizes better, and the children will be repurposing them in our youth club sessions to create decorated boxes and Christmas Eve boxes.”

On using the platform, Laura said: “I have only used A Good Thing a couple of times but have found it simple and easy to use… we would use A Good Thing again!”

These donated items all mean that Sharnford Youth Club can direct its funds towards providing more events and services for local young people.

The wooden giftboxes were matched with East Preston Men in Sheds, a charity dedicated to relieving loneliness and isolation among older members of the community.

Adrian Miller from the charity explained: “We make items to sell to benefit our charity: these boxes can be used to display the items we make, and also to house some of the tools we use. This was our first experience of using A Good Thing and every aspect of it went smoothly. Collection of the items was easily arranged with the donor. We would definitely use A Good Thing again. The wooden giftboxes will be repurposed to make insect houses (among other things) for our charity sales.”

Surplus into community benefit

These generous donations by Willsmer Wagg meant that a range of previously surplus items, from Rubik’s cubes to cardboard gift and wooden boxes, became a meaningful resource for local charities across Sussex. Organisations like The Sid Youth CIC, MSI Reproductive Choices, Sharnford Youth Club and East Preston Men in Sheds can now use these items to support youth engagement, provide essential services, foster creativity and relieve isolation within their communities.

By using repurposed materials, charities can stretch their resources further, deliver more activities, and create lasting impact for the people they serve.

Contributions like these help organisations to operate more efficiently, but also highlight the power of thoughtful giving to transform surplus into tangible community benefit.