Picnic on the pitch is a winner as families enjoy fun in the sun

Dozens of families from Westbury and Warminster enjoyed fun and games as local football clubs opened their facilities this August. 

Community-spirited Warminster Town Football Club and Westbury United Football Club joined forces with local organisations including Wiltshire Council, health and police partners to host free events from 11am to 2pm every week during August. Across the four sessions a total of 226 children from 102 families joined in the fun.

The events were organised as part of a multi-agency initiative with professionals on hand to offer advice and support.

Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Children's Services said: "I joined one of the events and it was a joy seeing so many families spending time together, playing games and also having professionals on hand to talk to and discuss any issues. 

"These fun events are part of a wider pilot which is taking place in Westbury and Warminster to help families access information, advice and support as early and easily as possible. I want to thank our community-spirited local football clubs for providing their venues and support to make these events happen. It shows how important community is for everyone's wellbeing."

Wiltshire Council, health partner Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board and Wiltshire Police are involved with a wide range of other organisations in the pilot called All Together. The partners work together under a Families and Children's Transformation (FACT) banner. The project is also working closely with Wessex Community Action to provide families with online information via the Wiltshire Together website and will be a precursor to the Family Hubs model which will start in April 2024 as agreed by Wiltshire Council leaders in June.