Community charity again helps turn homes into works of art

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

Eastcott Community Organisation scheduled its fifth Window Wanderland event for Friday to Sunday, February 24 to 26.

As with previous Window Wanderlands, residents were urged to sign up to create a magical walking trail to light up the streets in the area.

Free workshops for participants were held at Eastcott Community Centre, which is run by the community organisation, a volunteer charity.

The sessions were possible thanks to support using public money from the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Co-chair Lauren Wallis said: “It’s a miserable time of year and we all need something to lift our spirits.

“Window Wanderland brings a lot of pleasure: it’s lovely to view the windows and to see so many people out and about on the walking trail. Last year was a great success so we’re delighted to be running the event again.

“It’s a great way of bringing the community together, particularly in times like these, and everybody in Eastcott is welcome to take part. Although the core area tends to be in the Old Town part of Eastcott, the ward includes Drove Road and the areas around Queen’s Park and Commercial Road.

“It would be lovely to see people in streets that haven’t taken part in the past signing up. Let’s spread the light!”

The community centre was set to be open on the evening of Saturday, 25 February to give residents a chance to pick up maps of the window locations and enjoy a hot drink.

On Sunday, 5 March, the charity will hold its next Repair Cafe at the community centre from 2pm to 5pm.

Repair Cafes are an international movement in which people are encouraged to bring items for repair by volunteers rather than getting rid of them unnecessarily.

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