They say one man's trash is another man's treasure, and a quick peek around Dorset Scrapstore epitomises the phrase.

Tucked away in a corner of social enterprise hub The Factory in Alder Hills, the charity is an art and crafter's heaven.

"Sending a kid in there, their eyes light up," says marketing manager Sarah Selby.

And I can quite believe it. All manner of boxes, tubs and containers are stacked to the rafters with ribbon, plastic cups and cutlery, cardboard tubes, off-cuts of carpet and even odd jigsaw puzzle pieces.

On another wall, rolls upon rolls of multicoloured foam, acetate and fabric are piled high, while a collection of mannequins stand in a corner, next to a tub of leather scraps, and shelves of unused egg boxes.

The aim of the project, explains Sarah, is two-fold - to cut the amount of waste going to landfill, and also to provide a valuable resource to parents, schools, students and arts and craft enthusiasts, who each pay a small yearly membership and can then fill a small bag for £4, or a black bin liner for £7.

A team of dedicated volunteers appeal to local businesses for their unwanted items, then go and collect them free of charge to stock the shelves.

Money from the sale of materials is combined with grant funding and ploughed back into the charity's operating costs, such as shop rent, salaries of its three part-time employees and running the collection van.

There are Scrapstores throughout the country, but the Dorset branch first opened in 1999 at Kingston Maurward College, before moving to Puddletown where it operated until April of last year.

A second branch was opened in Poole in November 2010, relocating to Boscombe in October 2012, before it returned to Alder Hills last April.

"We are quite small," says Sarah, "but we want it to be built up gradually so we are not over-run.

"It's for pre-schools, schools, individuals, people at home who want to do arts and crafts with their kids. It's really good for improving their imaginative play.

"Also, there are people who are into different types of arts and crafts, whether it's card making, or knitting, or anything. There are a lot of people creating businesses now, trying to set themselves up."

The charity relies heavily on donations and is appealing for any local businesses who have waste to clear to contact them.

"Are you paying to have your waste removed?" says Sarah.

"It could be anyone - a plumber with tubing, guttering. Any sort of material to stop it going to landfill that can be used again for children's play or arts and crafts.

"A lot of people don't realise that it is usable."

For those who are inspired by the wealth of craft materials and the thought of recycling or upcycling, but need a bit of a helping hand, the Scrapstore runs monthly workshops on different topics and even has its own Pinterest page, bursting with ideas.

"We are raising awareness for people to use less waste," says Sarah.

"Someone will have a use for it. Things can be recycled and a charity can benefit from them."

To celebrate its first birthday, Dorset Scrapstore is hosting a birthday party from 1.30pm to 3.30pm on Saturday, April 1, when teams are invited to have a go at making something from waste materials.

The event will be opened and judged by the Poole Town Crier.

Free membership is being offered for individuals and groups with the purchase of a large scrap bag until Friday, March 31, with schools in Dorset being offered annual membership for £15 until the same date.

A long-term offer also runs for students, who can receive three bin bags, plus membership for £15.

To find out more about any of the special offers, the birthday event, how you can help and the Scrapstore opening hours, visit dorsetscrapstore.org.uk