Round-up of recent Wiltshire Council area board projects in support of the county's communities

Grants provided by the area boards have funded a range of projects and events designed to support and improve the lives of people living in Wiltshire.

Commenting on the recent area board activity, Cllr Ashley O'Neill, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Communities and Area Boards said: Once again our area boards, with support from our partners, have played pivotal roles 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 we 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 https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/6142/Introduction.

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

Bradford on Avon

Westwood Social Club Disabled Facilities Installation

Bradford on Avon Area Board supported and funded a project to improve and install facilities for disabled users in Westwood Social Club. Completed in December 2023, it included the refurbishment of a storage cupboard to create a fully functioning washroom for disabled users of the club. Ann Windo, whose family set up the club 104 years ago, cut the ribbon to the washroom and because of these facilities her father-in-law and trustee of the club can now visit and be more involved.

Calne

Calne Reconnecting Group

This group provides weekly activities for the over 65s, promoting active ageing and enabling residents to create new friendships and provide mutual support. The group is co-ordinated by Calne's Older People and Carers Champion with funding from the Calne Area Board and Calne Town Council. The sessions provide physically and mentally stimulating activities including theatrical and musical performances.

Chippenham

Chippenham Shed

In January the Chippenham Shed officially opened at North Wiltshire Bowls Club. In 2023 work was undertaken to renovate and modify the shed to accommodate new equipment and a social setting for shed members. Chippenham Area Board provided funding for a new planer thicknesser, a key piece of equipment for re-purposing wooden items. Chippenham Shed provides a space for adults to connect, converse and create, and helps drive forward the Area Board's priority to confront and reduce social isolation and loneliness.

Corsham

Box Hill Lower Common Biodiversity Project

Villagers can expect Box Hill Lower Common to be bursting with flowers, butterflies, farmland birds and other wildlife this Spring and for years to come. The Cotswold Voluntary Wardens, Box Parish Council, Box Hill Common Community Group, Probation Service Community Payback Team and local charity Jamie's Farm have worked together to transform and manage wildflower areas in the parish, planting over 80 fruit trees and bushes. The project started in 2022 with grant funding provided by the Corsham Area Board and the Cotswold Conservation Board. It is closely aligned with the area board's environment and wellbeing priorities and the Box Parish Council Climate Strategy which promotes improvements to biodiversity within the area.

Devizes

Community Carol Evening

In December 2023, Devizes Area Board funded a community carol evening organised by the Wyvern Club for local groups to attend. The event was attended by several diverse groups, most of which were elderly and vulnerable. Those attending the event said that these types of gatherings do make a real difference to their health and well-being.

Salisbury

Cost of Living support

The Salisbury Area Board developed, funded and printed 18,000 cost of living support flyers, working in partnership with Salisbury City Council and a wide range of community groups, charities and organisations to ensure those most in need have access to information regarding financial, food and wellbeing support. The leaflet is available in public spaces across the city and has been hand-delivered by area board councillors and officers in specific areas where there is a known need for additional support.

Southern Wiltshire

Winterslow Youth Club

Community First officers, funded by the Southern Wiltshire Area Board, to lead the Rural Youth Outreach Project helped to re-start the Winterslow Youth Club. The club has a steady and growing attendance, including two young people with additional needs. This is a vital club situated in one of Southern Wiltshire's most rurally remote parishes and offers unique access to youth support and activities, and training for new young leaders.

South West Wiltshire

Festive Fun at the Nadder Centre

In December, over 100 residents travelled to the Nadder Centre for intergenerational festive fun, organised by the South West Wiltshire Area Board. The event was a partnership between Wiltshire Council, Celebrating Age Wiltshire, and St John's Primary School in Tisbury. Salisbury Big Band were the headline act, supported by Tisbury School carollers.

Stonehenge

HWB Christmas Concert event

Festive fun and food were enjoyed at the Christmas concert event held in December at Antrobus House, Amesbury. Organised by the Stonehenge Area Board in partnership with Celebrating Age Wiltshire, over 130 local older residents enjoyed festive melodies and celebrated the holiday season together.

Trowbridge

Beat the Street Trowbridge

Trowbridge Area Board awarded Wiltshire and Swindon Sport funding towards the project costs to run 2023 Beat the Street. 6,415 players took part covering 78,497 miles. Forty-five percent of players were children aged 0-17 years old and out of the adults that registered, 1,143 were inactive prior to the game. Seventy-four teams played including 18 schools and 38 community teams or businesses. This was a significant increase in participation from the previous game.