Robert Dickinson started Croydon ParkBox in 2024 following a summer of carrying half a tonne of toys and books to the park with his son to play with. Set within the context of almost 1 million UK children not having a single book at home, only 25% of children playing outside regularly the cost-of-living crisis, he wanted to find a way for others to enjoy what Robert and his son did. Play, read, bond in public parks.

Croydon ParkBox is setting up mini-libraries with books, toys and sports equipment in Croydon's parks. They're completely free for everyone to use - children help themselves. To help fund the boxes we run paid for sessions to help adults and children bond over books and outside play through forest school style sessions and book readings.

In collaboration with The Shackleton Foundation Robert is launching a pilot scheme in Croydon to trial public ParkBoxes to test the sustainability, reach underserved young people with high quality resources and inspire a love of books and play.