Menu

News

Eyes down… what a fantastic night!

House! What an absolutely brilliant evening we had at SCB’s very first Bingo Night at our new Gateway workshop.

As this was our first test event in the new workshop, we weren’t quite sure how it would go… but judging by the laughter, the atmosphere and the incredible support, we’d definitely call it legs eleven out of ten! 

The biggest full house of thanks has to go to Claire Blunstone and Kareena Cullen, who worked tirelessly to organise the entire event. From gathering prizes and selling tickets to setting everything up and keeping the evening running so smoothly, this really was their event. They put in an enormous amount of work behind the scenes, and we’re incredibly grateful for everything they did.

A thank you also to Vicki from Ground Control Ltd,, who kindly helped to sell raffle tickets, while Ground Control Ltd generously boosted the evening’s fundraising with an additional £500 donation.  

We’re delighted to say that together we raised an amazing £1,633.30! 

Every penny raised will help us continue creating new opportunities and experiences for our trainees, whether that’s through learning, equipment, activities or special events that enrich life at SCB.

After such a successful first event, we’re already looking at what we can do next! We’d love to build on this and bring more fun community events to SCB in the future.

Got an idea? We’d love to hear it! Whether it’s another bingo night, a quiz, race night, games evening or something completely different, pop your suggestions in the comments. If there’s enough interest, we’ll see what we can make happen.

Finally, thank you to everyone who came along, bought tickets, donated prizes, volunteered, laughed, cheered and made the evening such a success. We’d also like to extend a special thank you to our fantastic prize donors: Bentley Motors, Mrs Darlingtons, Crewe Alexandra Football Club, Mornflake, Passage To India, Snugburys Ice Cream, Darts Corner, #LeprinoFoods. Your generosity helped make the evening even more special for everyone involved.

Until next time… keep your eyes down and your dabbers ready!


What an incredible American Theme Day at SCB!

Today has been a fantastic success from start to finish, rounded off in the glorious sunshine with a quick-draw water fight to help everyone cool down! The food was absolutely incredible, thanks to the big burger shaq , who served up an amazing American feast of smash burgers, Southern Fried Chicken bites and delicious skin-on fries. We can’t thank them enough for keeping everyone so well fed. Our trainees also took part in some authentic cowboy training, learning the essential skills of lassoing, horseshoe tossing, line dancing and plenty of other Wild West fun. There were smiles, laughter and great memories made throughout the day. A huge thank you also goes to Lyn, our fantastic line dancing teacher, who had everyone up on their feet and finished the day perfectly. We’d also like to thank Vicki from Ground Control LTD, who kindly used one of her volunteer to come and support our event. Your time and enthusiasm were hugely appreciated. None of this would have been possible without the amazing generosity of our supporters. Every donation, fundraising effort and act of kindness helps us create opportunities like this for the adults we support. Whether you’ve donated through our JustGiving page, supported our recent charity football match, or your organisation has made a charitable donation to SCB, thank you. Your support genuinely makes experiences like today possible. From everyone at SCB – thank you for helping us create another unforgettable day!  



Swim for SCB

A group of our trainees at SCB are taking on an incredible swimming challenge to raise money for the charity!
Together, Ethan, Carson, Neil, Zak, Tom and Sam — along with support from the other SCB members at Crewe Seahorses Swimming Club — are aiming to swim an amazing 1,998 lengths of a 25m pool to mark the year SCB was founded: 1998
The challenge starts this Thursday 18th June and will continue over the coming weeks until they reach their target.
This is a huge effort and we’re incredibly proud of everyone taking part. Special thanks to Debbie Murray, who will be keeping count of the lengths and helping the swimmers stay on track 
Every penny raised will help SCB continue providing meaningful opportunities, activities and support for adults with additional needs 
If you’d like to support them, please donate here:
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/swim-for-scb…
Please like, share and support if you can

One Crewe

Supported Community Business (SCB) has recently been featured by One Crewe following our move into our new workshop premises on Crewe Gates Industrial Estate.

The article highlights SCB’s continued growth, the opportunities the new building will provide for our trainees and the exciting future ahead as we continue developing meaningful opportunities for adults with additional support needs across Crewe and the surrounding areas.

We would like to say a huge thank you to Jan and the team at One Crewe for taking the time to visit us, learn more about SCB and share our story with the wider community.

You can read the full article below:

Read the One Crewe article here

Craig Minshull

It is with sadness that we share the news that our long-time trainee and friend, Craig Minshull, recently passed away following a long period of ill health.

Craig had been part of the SCB community for many years and will be remembered for his humour, character and the important role he played within our workshop environment. He was a familiar face to so many trainees, staff and families and made a lasting impact on the people around him during his time at SCB.

This news will understandably be difficult for many people within the SCB community who knew Craig over the years. Over the coming days, we will take time together to support one another and reflect on the many positive memories Craig brought to SCB.

Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with Craig’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.

Craig will be greatly missed by everyone at SCB.

Farewell to Nigel

In April, we said a fond farewell to a much-loved member of the SCB team as Nigel retired after five years with us.
Nige became a real character within the workshop and was hugely popular with both trainees and staff alike. He brought warmth, humour and personality to every day, helping create the welcoming and supportive atmosphere that SCB is known for.
Over his five years with SCB, Nigel built strong relationships with many of the trainees, who always enjoyed his company, conversations and sense of humour. He was someone who genuinely cared about the people around him and made a positive difference to the lives of many individuals during his time with us.
Whilst we are incredibly happy for Nigel as he begins his retirement, he is already sadly missed around the workshop.
Everyone at SCB would like to thank Nigel for everything he has contributed over the years and wish him and his family a long, happy and well-deserved retirement.
He will always be welcome back at SCB.

A Big Step Forward – Our New Accessibility Lift is Now Open

Today marked a special milestone at Supported Community Business (SCB), as Michael took the very first ride on our brand new accessibility lift.

While it may seem like a simple addition, this lift represents something much bigger for the people we support. It ensures that our entire workshop is fully accessible, allowing everyone to move freely between floors and take part in all areas of activity.

Opening Up Opportunities

The introduction of the lift means that no part of SCB is out of reach.

Whether it’s accessing different workspaces, learning environments, or social areas, individuals can now fully engage in everything we offer — removing barriers and creating greater independence.

It’s a significant step in making sure our new workshop truly works for everyone.

Thank You to Our Supporters

This project has only been possible thanks to the generosity, encouragement and support of so many people.

From those who made donations, to those who helped raise awareness or supported fundraising efforts — every contribution has played a part in making this happen.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who supported this journey.

A Moment That Matters

Seeing Michael take that first ride was a proud moment for everyone involved. It was a simple act, but one that represents progress, inclusion, and opportunity.

This lift is more than just a piece of equipment — it’s a symbol of what can be achieved when people come together with a shared purpose.

 

A Day Service with Purpose – Now at Our New Workshop

Supported Community Business (SCB) continues to welcome new service users to our growing community, now based in our new, purpose-built workshop in Crewe.

This new space has been designed to provide a modern, safe and engaging environment, giving individuals more room, better facilities, and greater opportunities to learn, develop and take part in meaningful activity.

What is SCB?

SCB is a day service for adults with additional support needs, built around structure, purpose and opportunity.

Each day is supported by an experienced staff team who work alongside individuals to build confidence, independence and practical skills at a pace that suits them.

Rather than offering a traditional day service model, SCB focuses on creating a real working environment, where people can feel part of something purposeful and rewarding.

Opportunities and Activities

At SCB, individuals have the opportunity to:

  • Take part in practical, work-based activities
  • Develop independence and everyday life skills
  • Learn woodwork and hands-on skills
  • Work towards recognised qualifications through our ASDAN learning programme

For some, SCB acts as a stepping stone towards future employment.
For others, it provides a meaningful and structured place to attend, build friendships, and enjoy being part of a supportive community.

Funding and Access

SCB is a chargeable service (£58 per day as of March 2026).

In many cases, funding may be available through:

  • Local authority support via a social worker
  • Direct Payments, where these are already in place

Anyone interested in attending is encouraged to speak with their social worker to explore the options available to them.

Visiting SCB

The best way to understand what SCB offers is to visit in person.

We welcome enquiries from individuals, families, carers and professionals who would like to find out more or arrange a visit to the workshop.

Call: 01270 255319
Email : [email protected]
Or contact us via our social media channels

A Growing Community

As awareness of SCB continues to grow, places can become limited at times. We always encourage early enquiries so that we can discuss availability and support options.

If you, or someone you support, are looking for a day service that offers more than the traditional model, SCB could be the right fit.

Together we grow

 

Developing With Purpose

A new year often brings fresh focus. This year, it brings a new home for SCB.

The new building gives us something we’ve never truly had before — space to grow.

Natural light fills the workshop. There is room to expand our woodwork programme. Dedicated areas are being created for skills development, commercial contracts and supported learning. It already feels different. It feels forward-looking, and already we are working hard and loving it!

Work on the building is still ongoing. Improvements and adaptations continue behind the scenes as we shape the space around the needs of the people who use it. This isn’t just about occupying a larger unit — it’s about building an environment that enables confidence, independence and more opportunity.

Access for All – The Lift Campaign

There is one crucial piece still missing.

To ensure full accessibility across the building, we need to install a lift. True inclusion means removing physical barriers — not working around them.

That’s why Trustee Adam is taking on the Manchester Marathon this April — double the distance he has ever run — to raise funds for the lift.

This is to ensure that everyone, regardless of mobility, can fully use and enjoy our new space.

If you would like to support Adam’s marathon effort and help us to make Gateway fully accessible for all, you can donate via our JustGiving page justgiving.com/campaign/adamslift26 

Every contribution brings us closer to a building that works for everyone.

A Gateway to the Future

As we begin this year, we do so with bigger plans, stronger foundations and a clear goal: to continue creating meaningful work opportunities in a supportive, inclusive environment.

The doors are open. Welcome to Gateway.

Cheers to 28 years!

For 28 years, our old workshop was more than just a building. It was the place where friendships were formed, skills were learned, confidence was built, and thousands of projects were carefully crafted by the people we support.

After weeks of moving everything from our old premises to the new one — packing tools, shifting benches, carefully transporting materials and memories — the final day arrived.

We walked round there, together, one last time. One by one, everyone collected their mugs from the kitchen shelves — some faded, some chipped, all full of history. Names written on the bottom. Tea stains from countless break times. 

There were smiles. A few quiet moments. Plenty of jokes.

Before locking up, we gathered together for one last brew. Mugs raised high, we cheered to 28 years — to the hard work, the growth, the friendships, and the belief that everyone deserves meaningful opportunities.

Then we stepped outside and locked up for the last time.

The walk to our new workshop wasn’t just about moving buildings. It was about carrying everything we’ve built — the confidence, the teamwork, the sense of belonging — into a new chapter. As we walked together, memories were shared, excitement bubbled, and plans for what comes next filled the conversation.

The old workshop gave us all some special memories.

Goodbye Quakers Coppice, Hello Gateway. A new chapter begins- CHEERS!

Load More

Accessibility by WAH