How it all started

In 1989 the Community Council of Shropshire and local people from Oswestry obtained funding to set up a project to assist people by befriending, shopping, collecting pensions and prescriptions, transport to health appointments, and emergency help.

Helpmates began in a small office in Beatrice Street with 2 part-time project workers and a few volunteers.

1989   Helpmates began
1992    Oswestry Community Transport Initiative was set up and Dial-a-Ride Service began.
1993    The Volunteer Bureau was started, as an information resource on volunteering opportunities in the area and to provide support for all voluntary organisations.
1995    Helpmates moved into premises in Queen’s Buildings, Oswald Road.
1996    Helpmates became an independant charity and Oswestry Care Information was established, now part of a countywide project.
2000   The Shopmobility Service started.
2001    Building work began on the refurbishment of the old Queen’s Hotel.
2002    Helpmates changed its name to Oswestry Community Action and moved into Qube.

Built upon an ethos of accessibility to services for all and aiming to improve the quality of life for the local community, Oswestry Community Action has continued to establish itself as valuable community resource offering Community Transport, Volunteering, Information and training and Arts and health activities.