The idea of a community shop that would provide low cost clothing and other items in the West End Crewe of was the brainchild of Mrs Gina Smith a resident of the West End of Crewe. Gina approached our present managing director, with the idea, this was built on and market research was carried out with over 4,500 people in the area, it proved to be a very popular idea. Business plans were drawn up, contact was made with other bodies.

Victoria High School was asked if they could come up with a name for this new venture, they named the new company “Castaways”. At the time, Gina was unemployed and referred to an employment service programme.

The West End Project helped with support, the then new West Enders shop gave Gina space for one clothes rail to try out the idea, and it took off.

Due to the success of the clothes rail in the West Enders shop, we had to move to larger premises at 131 West St, our home for the next few years,
Castaways Community Limited was incorporated on the 12th January 1995, a social enterprise not for profit.

We have found that people find it much more comfortable to bring a problem or ask for help in the shop as we are not labelled as an “advice shop” with the associated stigma, the people that we help and support are very proud and do not like to be associated with needing help, and have over a long time built up the trust and respect of the members of the local community.

During this time, we have had help from so many people both volunteers and the very kind people who donate goods to the shop that have helped us to be so successful.

The “shop” has many different faces on one hand you can pick a real bargain at our 50p sales, our normal prices are really great too much lower than you can find in other shops.

The purpose of the shop was and still is to help and support people from the West End of Crewe and any one that needs help. Selling second hand quality clothing and other items, this supports the shop and from our surpluses, we have supported may other groups and originations with our area, with items like garden furniture, toys, security lights, bedding, clothes both adults and children’s and many other items.

We have helped people to sort out all sorts of problems from contacting Embassies, the Courts, money problems and bailiffs.

Some of the things the “shop” has done to help local people are, helping people with utility’s bills that they cannot understand or arranging payment plans on their behalf, helping to arrange re-homing for people, helping to move people and pay removal costs, help with legal advice from local solicitors, a barrister, and the Derbyshire Building Society around financial issues.

Supplying food and clothes to families escaping domestic violence, giving food and presents at Christmas time, supporting NSPCC Rainbow House and the local elderly people’s homes with donations of goods, Underwood West School with computer equipment, book’s and pens etc. Given support to Children on educational visits both in this country and in Europe. 

We are in close contact with social services, the woman’s refuge, NSPCC, local schools, local crèches, RSPCA, Cheshire Police, Cheshire County Council (Link Programme, Supported Employment), Action line at Radio Stoke and other agencies.
Worked to help Leighton Hospital’s Baby unit, Diabetic unit and the Mighty Magnet Appeal and a charity auction, supported missionary work in Zimbabwe and education projects in other areas on the African continent and in East Europe with the support of Crewe Magistrates Court.