Thousands of hours pledged by Swindon volunteers in 2024
The Borough Council is praising them for their work
The vital help that volunteers offer all over the borough of Swindon is being marked and celebrated by the council this week.
In 2024, 300 volunteers have given up their time to support residents who have registered with the council’s Live Well Swindon team.
One of the voluntary organisations the council works closely with is the Harbour Project, a charity that provides support and assistance to refugees and asylum seekers alongside a community cafe and English classes.
The council’s cabinet member for communities and partnerships Councillor Jim Grant visited the Harbour Project to meet some of the volunteers and tour the offices at Broadgreen Community Centre.
He said: “We know how important the work of volunteers right across Swindon is in helping to keep our local communities happy and healthy.
“The council works closely with local voluntary organisations and it was brilliant to see the great work the volunteers at the Harbour Project are doing to help refugees and asylum seekers in our town.
“We’re proud to shine a light on and celebrate the work of Swindon’s volunteers. Doing so will hopefully inspire more residents to think about what they can do and the different ways they can support residents in their community.
Amanda has been a volunteer with The Harbour Project for more than two years. She said: “I love being part of a friendly team at Harbour, supporting our visitors in various ways, while they rebuild their lives. It feels like a big family where people look out for each other and help them through the challenges they face, giving a sense of hope. I have met some incredible people who show such resilience and determination to build a better future.”
The chief executive of the project Tom Bain added: “We rely on amazing volunteers, acting as appropriate adults, offering translation, or helping in our Advice Centre.
“We could not do the work we do without the energy, enthusiasm and dedication of our volunteers.”
Another volunteer is Roger who works in the events team at Swindon Carers Centre supporting activities attended by adult and older carers such as Carers Cuppas and Walk & Talk events.
Roger said: “I’m a people person and making sure that carers are safe and happy comes naturally to me. Some carers just want to talk and have a laugh. I’m a good listener, a good talker and enjoy a good laugh so my role is perfect.
“My links with Swindon Carers Centre go back a few years to when I was a registered carer for my late wife, Jenny. Being a carer was my most fulfilling role and Swindon Carers Centre was a godsend.
“Attending their events, meeting and chatting with other carers in similar circumstances meant I went from being a relatively lonely, isolated person to being surrounded by friendly people in the same circumstances as myself.
“After my period of bereaved care came to an end, I asked if I could become a volunteer and I’ve been doing so since 2022.
“As a volunteer, I work with lovely and very hard-working people. It’s very rewarding to be part of the team helping carers to enjoy themselves while they have time away from their caring role.”
Volunteer with Julia’s House Children’s Hospice, Dawn has been instrumental in helping to get the hospice set up. She said: “I think it was 2015 while I was on holiday I came across a Julia’s House charity shop, went in and got talking to a lady who asked where we were from. I said Swindon, to which she replied, ‘That’s where we’re looking to build another hospice as you don’t have one in Wiltshire.’ I couldn’t believe we didn’t have a children’s hospice and it was either Bristol or Oxford that families would have to go to… and that was that!
“I started fundraising and getting the word around and, being self-employed, all my clients have pitched in over the years. I’ve helped at community events at Lydiard Park, Christ Church and the Swindogs and I’ve enjoyed it all. People are so kind and generous at times. It makes it all worthwhile.”
Other volunteering opportunities co-ordinated by the borough council include Swindon Circles and Telephone Befrienders who provide companionship to isolated residents, knitters who produce blankets and draft excluders which are donated to homeless people or those in need and pet fosterers who look after animals in the care of residents when they’re in hospital.
So far this year, these volunteers have given up 21,900 hours of their time.
Cllr Grant added: “If residents can spare anything from an hour to multiple hours a week, they can email the Live Well team at volunteer@swindon.gov.uk or search any of the organisations spotlighted for more information on how to get involved in helping us build a fairer Swindon.”