Pass The Party: Making Celebrations More Accessible with Community Support
- Party Kit Network
- 23 minutes ago
- 4 min read
A reusable party kit is a simple concept: a box of reusable tableware that can be borrowed, used for a celebration, and then returned to be used again. This not only reduces waste and keeps materials in circulation for longer but also connects communities.
Parties are moments of joy, an opportunity to bring people together to create happy memories, especially for children. But for some families, the cost of hosting a party can be a barrier. To help ensure more children can celebrate their special day, Party Kit Network member Ruth Watson has launched ‘Pass The Party,’ a sponsorship programme that brings her community together to support families who might otherwise struggle to afford a party.
What is the ‘Pass The Party’ Scheme?
Ruth runs Ecologico, a mobile eco shop based in Teesside. Alongside this, Ruth also runs Eco Connect North East CIC which supports a number of community initiatives including clothing swish events and a party kit.
‘Pass The Party’ is a community-driven initiative designed to ‘pay it forward.’ Members of Ruth’s community donate funds to cover the cost of party kit hires for families who could benefit from a free hire. They might be individuals who love the party kit concept but have older or grown-up children or local businesses.
Ruth works closely with local primary schools and family hubs to identify families who would benefit, helping to give more children a special birthday occasion. Donations cover not just the kit hire but also reusable decorations, virtual invitations, and eco-friendly party favours.
Ruth says, "I love this scheme because it helps to reinforce the community spirit behind the party kit concept. It spreads joy and happiness - because every child deserves a party!"
The Benefits of ‘Pass The Party’
The scheme offers multiple benefits for everyone involved:
For families: Parties can be expensive, but Ruth provides everything needed including tableware, decorations, invitations, playlists, and party favours. She also connects families with an affordable local community centre, ensuring a safe and welcoming space for celebrations. This removes stress for parents and ensures every child feels special on their birthday.
For supporters: Those who donate feel the joy of giving back, knowing they’re making a tangible difference. For local businesses, supporting the scheme can contribute to their ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals and offer an opportunity for positive local PR.
For the local community: Businesses and individuals offering party services have a new way to get involved and support families in need.
For Ruth as a party kit organiser: Running the scheme strengthens ties between local businesses and families while operating under an ethical, social enterprise model. Plus, it helps divert even more waste from landfill.
How to Set Up Your Own ‘Pass The Party’ Scheme
If you run a party kit and want to start a similar initiative in your community, here are some tips to get you started:
Create an easy way for people to donate.
This could be an online payment link or a simple email contact for details.
Clearly explain how the scheme works and what impact donations will have - e.g. how many parties a donation can support and the amount of waste avoided.
Partner with local schools and family hubs.
Connect with potential partners to explain the scheme and ask for their help in identifying families who would benefit.
Let them take the lead on selecting families, trusting them to use their judgement and discretion.
Treat recipients like any other paying customer - no questions about circumstances, just a warm and welcoming service.
Spread the word.
Tell everyone! Tell past hirers of your party kit, local businesses, and networking groups.
Promote the scheme on LinkedIn, community Facebook groups and via local media.
Keep track of donations and redemptions.
Maintain a record of donations received and inform partner schools or hubs of the number of funded hires available.
Provide them with a unique code for families to redeem their free hire.
Consider how to handle a damages deposit.
Decide whether to build this into the donation model or request a refundable deposit from families, if you feel that’s appropriate.
Encourage local businesses to promote the scheme.
Ask supporting businesses to share information about both the party kit service and the ‘Pass The Party’ scheme with their staff, clients, and customers. The more people that know about it the better!
You could suggest that they organise a staff fundraiser to support the scheme.
Show appreciation to supporters.
Always send thank you emails to those who donate to the scheme.
Consider giving shout-outs to local businesses who support you via social media. (Please be careful never share details which could identify the recipient of a funded hire.)
You could also create a certificate of appreciation for businesses to display, recognising their contribution and impact.
Community Impact and Longevity
Ruth is what we’d call a ‘community gatekeeper.’ Her strong local connections, built through running a social enterprise and other community projects, have made it easier for her to gather support for her ‘Pass The Party’ scheme. However, this model can work in many communities - it may just take time to build relationships before seeking donations.
By launching a ‘Pass The Party’ scheme, party kit organisers can help make celebrations more inclusive while reinforcing community spirit and sustainability. Every child deserves a party, and with the right support, more families can experience the joy of a stress-free, eco-friendly celebration.
Follow Ruth on Instagram @ecologico_uk
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