The Shackleton Foundation is delighted to announced our latest Shackleton Leader - Robert Dickinson.

Robert has received a Shackleton grant to pilot a scheme of public ParkBoxes to test the sustainability of the boxes and reach underserved young people with high quality resources to inspire a love of books and play.

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 paid for sessions will be run to help adults and children bond over books and play through forest school style sessions and book readings.