We deliver activities & projects for commercial & community events,
and are building a Plastic Playground in Liverpool ⚡

Our commercial income and all ko-fi contributions go to supporting our work and covering costs like insurance and rent.

Plastic Tactics is a Community Interest Company run by local people.We are motivated by making, and enabling people to make the most of plastic.Get to know us through our history & values, and by saying hi!
We adapt to budgets of all sizes, from universities to community groups.And actively collaborate with
🤝 like-minded organisations

From ambitious activities to interesting talks, if you think we could bring something fresh to your team, festival or any other event - please get in touch for a quote today.We like phone calls but if you can't reach us right away or prefer to write, use our email or the form below.

What happens in practice?This is a casual session and you can come for as little or as long as you like, any time between 2pm and 5pm.On arrival, you will be asked to write the name you would like to be called, and your pronouns, on a nametag, and asked to choose a lanyard colour based on whether you consent to photography - more info below.You can work alone or with others, on an existing or new project - but mostly we tend to just experiment! A common answer to questions on the day is "I don't know, try it out!".
Plastic Playgroup participants have made a huge range of items from recycled plastic, from jewellery to lamps.How much does it cost?The sessions are made available on a pay-as-you-feel basis, with no expectation of a financial contribution.If you would like to pay us and help fund our work, we suggest the equivalent of one hour's wage. For the median full-time salary in Liverpool of £27k this is approximately £11 in take-home pay.But it is entirely your choice - higher or lower (or zero) is fine.
You can pay in person with card or cash, or online via the Plastic Playgroup Ko-fi pageWhen is the next one?The sessions are run most 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month, between 2pm and 5pm, and I'm afraid we don't update this regularly enough to give a specific date here. But please check our social media channels for confirmation it's definitely going ahead - we will put out a special message in the rare event it's cancelled or relocated.To be reminded just ahead of each playgroup, via WhatsApp, click on this link and join the group to consent to marketing messages about the playgroup:Note that other people in the WhatsApp group will be able to see your phone number and profile picture.If we forget to post a reminder, that doesn't mean the event is cancelled!We will always send messages on via whatsapp, twitter, instagram and facebook if the event isn't going ahead, as well as directly messaging anyone who has let us know they plan on coming.Cancellations are rare. If an event is cancelled announcements will be made via the WhatsApp group, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook - as well as directly with anyone who let us know they planned on coming.What kind of stuff has been made at the playgroup?Loads! We'll be adding images to this bit in time, but in the meantime search for hashtag #PlasticPlaygroup on Instagram or Twitter.Playgroup... is it for kids?Kids of all ages! We encourage free-play and creativity and have explored plastic with 1 year olds and 75 year olds.Under 18s are very welcome, but must be supervised at all times by a parent or guardian.Where is it and how do I get there?The usual venue is DoES Liverpool (1st Floor of The Tapestry, 68-74 Kempston Street, Liverpool, L3 8HL).To gain access to the building, you can either press the intercom button by the door (labelled DoES Liverpool) to call upstairs so someone can buzz you in, or contact us directly on our mobile (+44 7857 904 804) and a facilitator will come down to welcome you.
Travel GuidanceBy foot
• If you're walking, you probably know the area fairly well! Kempston St is off London Road near the Lidl.
By bicycle:
• There are three end-wheel bike racks inside the Tapestry building, not suitable for adapted cycles, trikes or cargo bikes.
• There are three adult-size sheffield cycle hoops on the pavement nearby. If you park up outside, securely locking your bike and removing any lights or tools is highly recommended.
By bus
• Bus stops 350 metres from the venue are on the following routes: 8, 8E, 9, 10Q, 10AQ, 10B, 12, 13, 14, 14A, 14B, 14X, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 61, 76, 78, 79C
By train
• Liverpool Lime Street is 0.4 miles away (around 10 mins walk) and Liverpool Central is 0.6 miles away (around 15 mins walk)
By car
• On Sundays there are usually plenty of on-street car parking spaces close to the venue, including blue badge spaces.
By taxi
• There are no dedicated drop off spaces but most taxi drivers will stop in the relatively quiet road next to the venue.
There is detailed information on the DoES Liverpool Accessibility page, link at the bottom of this page.How accessible is the venue and the event?• The venue is wheelchair accessible via a lift.
• There are two toilets at the venue, including an accessible toilet which also has a baby changing station. There are some sanitary products in each toilet.
• Emergency exits are not accessible - one is the fire escape and one is the main stairs - but there is an emergency stair chair and trained people to help evacuate in an emergency.
• Facilitators do not speak sign language, but are happy to communicate via writing or instant messaging if non-verbal communication is preferable.
• We are working towards remote access using a wheeliepad telepresence robot, so you can roam around speaking to people from home, but at this time it is in-person only. We will broadcast from the space on social media and you can interact with us there during the session.What Covid-19 precautions are in place?• Facilitators will be more than happy to wear a mask on request, unless someone needs to see our faces for lip reading or mental health reasons, where will will use visors instead. Single-use surgical masks will be provided but are not mandatory.
• DoES Liverpool asks that all visitors wash their hands at the start of their visit and wash their hands regularly.
• Windows will be open on both sides of the building to enable ventilation.
• We will not be formally directing people to social distance but ask participants to respect personal space.Who runs it and how safe will it be for me?• The facilitators for this event are white british, and the event organiser is a cishet man.
• Facilitators have individual interests in social justice issues and are educating ourselves on the intersection of race, gender, sexuality, disability, class, religion and other factors.
• We aim to be sensitive to macro and micro-aggressions and facilitators or event participants that exhibit harmful behaviour will be asked clearly to stop and explained why their behaviour was harmful, and given an opportunity to apologise where appropriate. If they do not stop, they will be asked to leave immediately.
• In the event of a serious incident, information about the grievance procedure at DoES Liverpool is on their website and a copy is on a poster in the accessible toilet. Note that Jackie and Adrian are close to Plastic Tactics and so other individuals will be more independent.What is the consent process for photos and videos?• All facilitators are likely to take photographs as part of the event, for internal record-keeping and external marketing purposes. Your Choice of lanyard colour will let our team know team during and after the event what you have or have not consented to:
• RED (or no lanyard): I do not want photographs or video taken of me. If any are taken by accident, crop me out of or delete the photo/video.
• ORANGE: I enthusiastically consent to having photo and videos taken, but I do not want my face visible if the photo/video is made public.
• GREEN: I enthusiastically consent to having photos and videos taken of me and used for any purpose, including promoting the next event.Will there be refreshments, food or drink?• Teas and coffee can be made for free
• Tap water and glasses available
• There may be some snacks if someone has brought something - feel free to bring something for yourself or to share. If sharing be mindful of dietary preferences and allergies.I have sensitivity to sounds and smells, what is it like in the space?• It depends on how many people come (and how loud they speak), but assume it is similar to the noise in a small cafe
• We don't use loud machinery but the heat presses do beep frequently.
• There are some fumes from the melting plastic. These are safe according to our research, and are not strong smells.
• The other smells will come from individuals. Facilitators do not wear strong deodorants/perfumes. We can't control the scents of visitors.More Information from DoES Liverpool• Accessibility: https://github.com/DoESLiverpool/somebody-should/wiki/Accessibility
• Safe Spaces Policy: https://github.com/DoESLiverpool/somebody-should/wiki/DoES-Liverpool-Safe-Spaces-Policy
• Safeguarding Policy: https://github.com/DoESLiverpool/somebody-should/wiki/DoES-Liverpool-Safeguarding-Policy
• Grievance Procedure: https://github.com/DoESLiverpool/somebody-should/wiki/Grievance-Procedure
• Lift Access: https://github.com/DoESLiverpool/somebody-should/wiki/Lift-Access,-Usage-and-Maintenance
• Location: https://github.com/DoESLiverpool/somebody-should/wiki/Location
• Parking: https://github.com/DoESLiverpool/somebody-should/wiki/Parking