Bank staff help out Swindon mental health charity

By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk

A team from NatWest came to Swindon’s Phoenix Enterprises and worked alongside clients.

Based in Swindon’s Elgin Industrial Estate, Phoenix Enterprises helps around 100 vulnerable adults in Swindon each year.

Through working in their warehouse, people gain self-esteem, confidence and skills, with many going on to secure paid work.

NatWest have a policy of encouraging their staff to volunteer and get involved in the local community, and sent 28 staff to help out.

Phoenix Enterprises CEO Clare McDougall said: “Phoenix Enterprises is all about helping people with mental health issues and learning disabilities.

“They are referred to us by the council, by GPs or by word of mouth.

“Everyone here is facing additional challenges in their life, with most coming from disadvantaged financial backgrounds.

“In spite of their challenges, these are some of the hardest working people you will ever come across.”

The volunteering session, involving assembling packaging, was arranged by Kelly Roberts, deputy manager at the bank’s Swindon branch.

She said: “We were all so impressed by the people who benefit from Phoenix’s services. They all want to work, they want to feel included in society and contribute, just like everybody else.”

More vital supplies sent from Swindon to embattled Ukraine

Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership continues to send crucial aid to Ukraine as the Russian invasion and occupation enters its second year.

In one of the latest missions, volunteers Natalya and Kelly, pictured, safely delivered a vanload of supplies and the van itself to a Ukrainian charity.

The long journey included overnight stops in Germany and Poland.

Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership chair Mike Bowden said: “ It is humbling to witness the incredible commitment and courage shown by Kelly and Natalya.

“They set the standard for the rest of us to follow. We will not match them but will do our very best to ensure the tragedy of so many Ukrainians stays in the public eye and that much needed aid continues to pour into their devastated country.“

In a remarkable coincidence, while the two volunteers were in Kiev, which has a population of 3m, their van was spotted by a local woman, Victoria, who had come to the Swindon area as a refugee last year and been helped by

Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership.

Victoria was able to return to her homeland, where she lives with her husband, after the Swindon organisation helped her son, Denys, to secure a university place.

Shortly after she returned, her apartment had its windows blown out by a Russian missile strike.

Local am-dram group looking for performers and crew members

Wroughton’s WADAMS have announced they currently have a range of opportunities for local adults and juniors who have an interest in the performing arts. People may be familiar with the group’s annual pantomimes and plays.

The group meets every Wednesday (between 6.30pm and 7.30pm for juniors, and 7.30pm onwards for adults) at the Ellendune centre.

More info can be found at www.wadamsdrama.org.uk or by emailing secretary@ wadamsdrama.org.uk

Special social and emotional literacy

programme is launched at Red Oaks

Red Oaks Primary School has partnered with The Happy Confident Company to pilot a social and emotional literacy programme.

The programme will be used as a UK case study for best in-class mental health and wellbeing programmes.

The launch event was held on 9 February, and featured a keynote speech by best-selling author, coach, and founder of the Happy Confident Company, Nadim Saad.

Local parents had the opportunity to hear Nadim explain the programme and provide advice and strategies for the home.

They were also able to hear from the school’s mental health team and mental health ambassadors.

Locals encouraged to try something new and make friends with Swindon u3a

By Jessica Durston jessica@positive-media.co.uk

Swindon people are being invited to learn, laugh and live with Swindon u3a, and try their hand at a new skill.

Formed over 40 years ago there are now over 1,000 u3as in the UK with over 430,000 members.

It is a non-religious and non-political organisation run entirely by volunteers and financed by members’ subscriptions. Each u3a operates independently under the umbrella of The Third Age Trust.

Like all other u3a groups in the country, Swindon’s u3a promotes lifelong learning, friendship, fellowship and fun. There are no age limits to becoming a member. Originally, the u3a was designed for people who had reached the stage in their life when they had more free time to enjoy themselves. Without the pressure of work or exams or bringing up a family, individuals are said to be able to relax in the company of like-minded people who want to take part in different activities together.

Swindon has a particularly active u3a. There are over 130 interest groups which meet all over the town and the surrounding area. They cover a vast range of activities which aim to keep the mind and body active. There are also monthly meetings with guest speakers, and opportunities to go on day trips, holidays and outings. This includes trips to the cinema and the theatre.

A person’s annual membership fee entitles them to join as many groups as they wish, and to take part in all the other communal activities.

The current membership fee is £35 a year and is due to reduce in the 2023-24 session.

To find out more about u3a, people can visit: www. swindonu3a.org.uk or www. facebook.com/u3aSwindon

People can also call the Swindon u3a office on 01793 614629 between 10am and noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, for more information.

How your council tax is spent in Swindon – and it might not be how you’d expect

Eighty per cent of the council’s budget is prioritised on essential social care services to support adults and children in Swindon –that’s the key message from Swindon Borough Council as council tax bills are issued.

The remaining 20 per cent funds day-to-day services, such as waste and recycling, potholes and libraries.

High costs of social care and increased demand for these services mean that 80 per cent of the Council’s annual budget is used to fund social care services. For instance, £27.8m will have been spent in 2022/23 to provide residential or nursing care placements for 567 people in Swindon.

Meanwhile, £11.8m is projected to be spent on residential placements for approximately 42 children with complex needs.

This year’s council tax booklet, which will be delivered alongside bills in March, shares some stories from residents who receive social care services to explain the sort of support they receive and how it has helped them.

Separate to the day-today fund, the council also receives additional funding from the Government which it has either successfully bid for or been allocated. This money can only be spent on the purpose it has been granted, and is often provided on a one-off basis or must be spent within a set time period.

To find out more about how your council tax is used in Swindon, look out for the booklet or visit www. swindon.gov.uk/annualreport