Round-up of recent Wiltshire Council area board projects to support communities

Wiltshire Council's 18 area boards regularly fund projects and events designed to support and improve the lives of people living in Wiltshire.

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Communities and Area Boards said: Once again our area boards, with support from our partners, have played a pivotal role in a range of programmes and projects that are supporting people of all ages throughout the county.

The work of the area boards plays a key role in helping the council achieve its Business Plan priorities to support Wiltshire to be a place where people stay active and live well together.

It's particularly pleasing to get feedback on how successful a project has been following support from the area board, and hearing about the lasting impact it will have.

Area boards bring local decision-making into the heart of the community. There are 18 area boards across Wiltshire, with each one holding devolved budgets to facilitate community action at a local level. They work alongside other organisations on local priorities in the community. These groups can include town and parish councils, voluntary and community groups, youth organisations, sports clubs and local charities.

More information about the area boards can be found at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/6142/Introduction.

Here is a round-up of some of the projects:

Calne

Priestly250 anniversary events

Calne Area Board supported a series of events and activities to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the discovery of oxygen by Dr Joseph Priestley at a laboratory in Bowood House. The Preistley250 community group with the help of the area board, Calne Town Council and other funders, organised a packed programme for all ages to enjoy including OXYGENFEST, a mobile science show, guided walks and a Heritage Centre exhibition and display of the local schools' art and writing competition.

Chippenham

Youth Projects

Chippenham Area Board awarded more than £10,000 to local youth projects, including residential camps for disadvantaged young people, safe spaces and youth work through the Rise Trust, and a storytelling project to amplify youth voices and support young people to contribute positively in the local community.

Malmesbury

Eco Networking event

Malmesbury Area Board hosted an Eco Networking event attended by local environmental groups including Sustainable Sherston which has been testing water quality at eight sites on the Sherston Avon and Luckington Brook since summer 2023. Testing looks for the presence of chemicals, but monitoring also includes the presence of wildlife both in the water and on the banks. These results are fed into wider monitoring by Bristol Avon River Trust.

Fruitful Malmesbury

Fruitful Malmesbury has taken over land within the town to be maintained as a community orchard and growing space. They received a grant from Malmesbury Area Board towards a new onsite office and storage space.

Marlborough

Health & Wellbeing Day

The Marlborough Health and Wellbeing Group held a Health & Wellbeing Day in St Peter's Church, Marlborough. Twenty eight groups from the local area and further afield within Wiltshire that support health attended the event, including Marlborough Tennis and Rugby Club which showed off walking sports for players and indeed former players who might no longer be up to the speed of the "full" sport. Gentler exercise was demonstrated by Fruci Fit and Age UK ran one of their chair-based Fitness and Friendship sessions. Kennet & Avon Medical Practice and Wiltshire Council's Health Improvement Coach also took part. Community support was highlighted by Marlborough Area Poverty Action Group, Pewsey-based Positive Community Action and the local foodbank. The simple health benefits of singing were highlighted thanks to Marlborough Community Choir, who opened the event with a performance.

Melksham

Melksham skate event

Melksham Area Board funded a skate jam run by ATB events in conjunction with 4youth. Around 75 young people turned out to compete and learn new skills. Providing positive activities for the young people of Melksham is a key priority for the area board.

Royal Wotton Bassett and Cricklade

Bassett and Cricklade Youth Festivals

Leisure centres in Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade have hosted youth festivals. At Cricklade, around 250 people attended and tried out badminton, gymnastics, football and rugby. The local army cadets detachment had their Nerf shooting range which proved very popular, as did ATB Skate outside on the skatepark running demonstrations and tuition sessions. Cricklade Band performed with a mix of well-known tunes. The leisure centre provided a free swimming session to young people and were able to offer junior gym taster sessions, thanks to a recent area board grant helping to train their staff.

At Lime Kiln Leisure Centre the Bassett's Youth Festival offered sports and activities including volleyball, basketball, taekwondo and other martial arts. Lyneham's Air Cadet Squadron demonstrated their flight simulator and showed off their parade ground skills. Youth services were represented by youth workers from RISE Trust, the Army Welfare Service and The Piggery who all work with young people. The day at Lime Kiln was rounded off with a performance from Cantantini's singers.

With hopes to create a new skatepark for the town, the Town Council brought in King Ramps with their 10 metre long half pipe and pro skaters and scooters to show off their skills and give lessons. This focus on skateboarding was used to gather views and ideas about a new skatepark, where it might be and what it might look like.

Salisbury

YOU network

As part of the Salisbury youth provision forum, a new YOU network of organisations and groups has been established, connecting all the safe spaces, people and places available for young people in and around the city. The YOU Network will engage people and organisations who run local youth clubs, activities, events and youth work projects for young people ages 11 to 19, and up to 25 for people with SEND. The engagement and partnerships team has supported the creation of the network through the Youth Provision Forum Steering group, led by the Salisbury City Council Community Development Team.

Southern Wiltshire

Old Sarum & Longhedge Community Pantry marks its first anniversary

With funding from local partners including the Southern Wiltshire Area Board, Abri Housing Association and Laverstock & Ford Parish Council, this new pantry is going from strength to strength, now serving around 600 residents with much-needed food support, a warm space and Chatty Café amongst its developing offer.

More than 40 families access the pantry each week, made possible by the growing volunteer team of helpers who ensure those who need it get the help they deserve.

South West Wiltshire

A Day At the Lakes Health & Wellbeing Event

This event brought together around 50 isolated and lonely older people, many of whom are struggling with a range of frailties including dementia to enjoy a day at the Langford Lakes Nature Reserve where craft activities and musical entertainment was funded and facilitated by the area board in partnership with the local church, lunch club and Celebrating Age Programme.

Warminster

Warminster Environment Watch Day

Warminster Area Board funded the Warminster Environment Watch Day when local community groups and organisations came together to provide information and activities on the environment to local residents. Around 50 participants attended, both young and old, doing activities such as making clay animals and learning about recycling. The event highlighted the local environment, how to enjoy it and how to get involved.

Westbury

Pollinator Corridor project

The Westbury Area Board supported and funded a Pollinator Corridor project in Edington, Dilton Marsh, Bratton, Heywood, Hawkeridge and Westbury town centre. The successful project has enhanced the villages and encourages bees, butterflies and other pollinators, which are a pivotal part of the local ecosystem. The areas have improved the biodiversity throughout the community area and the corridor allows pollinators to move from one space to another. Local residents have volunteered and supported the project, which has helped to reduce social isolation within communities and keeping residents in these groups physically and mentally active.