We started the Neigbourhood Swap Shop right at the begin of the pandemic, an old revamped light blue bureau in an alleyway leading from Colgrave Road. In its humble beginning our 'Chandos Park Books etc' evolved more and more from a Little Library project into a general Free Shop sharing hub.

Neighbours donated soft toys and games, school uniforms, and adult clothes, and soon our Swap Shop turned into a go-to place for our homeless community who regularly ventured by to pick up fresh clothes. It became a full-time venture to keep it neat and tidy and clean.

Unfortunately our little bureau also suffered a lot of abuse by bored youngsters and after the baby blue bureau disappeared, we finally decided to put the project to a halt: we needed a new, safer location to continue our initiative.

And re-establishing the Swap Shop on the premises of the Chandos Community Centre proved to be a great solution. The place is locked at night and on Sundays, and a tall fence is protecting it from vandals. Still a lot of work is necessary to keep it neat, tidy, clean, but the new position allowed it to grow and expand to cater for all needs of life: books, toys, games, clothes for all ages and sizes, catering, diy... for people from all walks of life.

We even received that many donations, that we decided to organise and hold a Swap Shop event at the Chandos Community Centre. And one event wasn't even enough!

The reception was so successful, the demand for a repeat was phrased, and only one week after the first Spring Swap Shop, we have been stormed by a multitude of people coming, finding, taking clothes, toys, books... Children smiled like it was Christmas and Birthday at the same day!

A Summer Swap Shop may happen...

After the Spring Swap Shops, we have been donating the never-ending stream of donations:

In only 2 weeks we’ve donated:

1 massive bag of toys to the Kids Club at the Community Road Community Centre

1 large bag of toddy clothes to the Children's Clothes Exchange at the Chobham Manor Community Centre

1 large bag new born baby clothes to the Cornerstone Church baby bank

2 large bags of baby clothes, bath, blankets and baby items to the The Lloyd Park Children's Charity

1 van load of baby and children's clothes, baby bath, high chairs, bumbo chairs, toys, games, baby bottles and books to the The Little Village HQ

5 large bags of baby, teenager, adult clothes and coats to St Francis, to support homeless people and Ukrainian refugees

3 buggies and 3 large bags to the The Magpie project

2 large bags of smart clothes go to Suited and Booted, a charity that helps people to dress for success on job interviews 17 packages of eyelashes for the Cancer Hair Care

Almost all was collected and delivered on my bicycle: shelves, clothes rails, clothes hangers, donations of every size to and from the Chandos Community Centre. Thank you everyone who donated!

In Summer we organised another Swap Shop Event at the Chandos Community Centre, and we started off with 13 large black bin bags bursting with donations, and two handful of smaller bags, car seats, high chair, baby baths, small kitchen appliances and toys.

Despite the English summer presented itself as measly and increasingly wet, it wouldn't stop all the mums, dads and kids from finding treasures for themselves. We gratefully received even more donations on the day, and we are delighted to see, that almost everything found a new home. Most important for me was to see how all the children played together, had fun, made friends and took the toys back home.

Only 2 bags have been left, and they will be split between three charities.

We are expanding our network of charities, volunteers and spaces. If you'd like to get involved join our WhatsApp group Newham Sharing Initiative (send us an email to scally_mosh_pit@yahoo.com.

You may say it’s just a drop on a hot stone, but it makes a big difference to some people!

We are happy to receive feedback, donations and give away donations to everyone!

Get in touch if you need something! We make it happen! Scallywag moshpit@yahoo.com!