This week marked a very special milestone for The Shewsy: 123 years since Shrewsbury House first opened its doors in Everton.
Our story began in 1903, when Digby Kittermaster founded the Shrewsbury School Mission boys’ club in an old pub building in Everton. It was established at a time when poverty and overcrowding were a daily reality for many local families, with the aim of providing young people with opportunities, friendship, learning and a sense of belonging.
Those early beginnings started a relationship between Everton and Shrewsbury School that has continued for more than a century.
The club moved to Portland Place in 1907 and, over the decades that followed, grew and changed alongside the community around it. It survived two World Wars, the Depression and enormous social change in Everton. Girls were welcomed into the club during the 1960s, and what had begun as a boys’ club increasingly developed into a place for the wider community.
By the 1970s, The Shewsy had outgrown its old home. A major fundraising effort supported the creation of a new purpose-built centre, which was officially opened by Princess Anne in July 1974. That building remains our home today.
Across those 123 years, Everton has changed enormously and so has The Shewsy. Today, we are an inclusive youth and community charity, welcoming young people of every background, culture and belief. But at the heart of what we do is something that generations before us would recognise: giving young people somewhere they can belong, build friendships, discover opportunities and develop the confidence to fulfil their potential.
Thousands of young people have passed through our doors over the years. They have played football, taken part in playschemes, travelled on trips and residentials, learned new skills, made friendships and created memories that have become part of the story of The Shewsy and Everton itself.
One of the most remarkable parts of that story is that the relationship which started it all continues today. Young people from The Shewsy still visit Shrewsbury School, while students from the School continue to spend time with us in Everton. What began more than a century ago has developed into a partnership built on friendship, shared experiences and learning from one another.
Shrewsbury Headmaster and Chair of Trustees at The Shewsy Leo Winkley said:
“The partnership between Shrewsbury and The Shewsy is one of the most special and enduring parts of our School’s story. Founded by Shrewsbury teachers in 1903, for 123 years it has brought generations of Salopians and young people from Everton together through friendship, shared experiences and a commitment to making a positive difference.
“Our recent whole School Sponsored Walk was a wonderful celebration of this partnership, with 840 Salopians, alongside friends from The Shewsy, taking on a 19-mile challenge in the Shropshire Hills. It was a day filled with courage, kindness and a tremendous sense of community, reflecting the spirit of a partnership that continues to mean so much to us all.
“We are immensely proud of our shared history and look forward to many more years of friendship, opportunity and connection.”
Interim CEO Colin Scicluna said:
“To reach 123 years is an incredible milestone and something everyone connected with The Shewsy should be proud of. Generations of young people, families, staff, volunteers and supporters have all played their part in shaping the organisation we are today.
“While we are proud of our history, this anniversary is also about looking forward. Our responsibility now is to build on that legacy and make sure The Shewsy continues to be a place where young people in Everton feel welcome, supported and able to access opportunities for many years to come.”
The anniversary is an opportunity to look back with pride, but it is also a chance to look forward.
The buildings, programmes and generations may change, but our commitment to young people and our community remains. As we celebrate 123 years, our focus is firmly on ensuring The Shewsy continues to be here for young people in Everton for generations to come.
You can discover more about our story, including photographs, memories and archive material from across the decades, on our History page.
