Volunteers’ Week 2015 2 DEVELOP—Volunteer Centre Wiltshire
Trowbridge Museum:
“Here at Trowbridge Museum we literally could not function without the sterling work of our fantastic volunteers.” Here at Trowbridge Museum we literally could not function without the sterling work of our fantastic volunteers. They work front of house every day that we are open- greeting visitors with a friendly smile, informing them of all the wonderful heritage that Trowbridge has to offer and in many cases acting as impromptu tour guides and ‘mouse hunters!’.
Our education team welcome schools almost every week of the year, dress up in a myriad of costumes, learn to use countless props and leave children enthralled and excited at ‘what they learned at the museum today!’. Then there is our collections team- not in public view but absolutely vital in continuing to conserve, catalogue, and safely store the museum’s collection so that it remains in safe keeping for the community for years to come.
All the staff at Trowbridge Museum would like to say a huge thank you to all those that volunteer with us and make up the fantastic team that we have here. With your support we will continue to go from strength to strength!
Wonderful medieval feast prepared by
staff and volunteers for our ‘Game of Bar-
ons’ exhibition opening.
All our Father Christmases are volunteers!
Education volunteer’s day out together -
this year to The American Museum.
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Volunteers’ Week 2015 DEVELOP—Volunteer Centre Wiltshire
Crosspoint:
“We could not do this with our team of volunteers – all who give of their time and skill and effort to ensure that we keep our doors open to the public.”
Crosspoint (Westbury) is a drop in centre
for the community providing a wide range
of support for those in need. We could
not do this without our team of volunteers
– all who give of their time and skill and
effort to ensure that we keep our doors
open to the public. We have over forty
volunteers who work on a rota basis and
their work is rich and varied.
We have trained counsellors who give free
counselling to people with personal
problems. Crosspoint also has skilled debt
advice volunteers who help clients to
budget and to find their way out of debt.
Drivers collect food for the Foodbank and
drop off food boxes to be distributed from
Crosspoint, and all this is administered by
the volunteers working in the office and
supervising operations.
Our sessions are busy and see the
volunteers on duty helping clients with
phone calls, with the computers and
internet and making copious cups of tea
and coffee! Crosspoint also has trained
volunteers offering a free and dedicated
job search consultancy service from our
premises.
Our volunteers are so motivated and give of
themselves so selflessly that we wish to
thank them during Volunteer Week, for all
that they do. They are reliable and
hardworking, and avail themselves of all the
training opportunities that come along in
order that they might better help our
clients.
Even our committee is made up entirely of
volunteers who give of what spare time they
have to ensure that Crosspoint runs
smoothly.
So thank you Crosspoint volunteers – you
are making a big difference!
Crosspoint Westbury recently celebrated
its third birthday!
Volunteers’ Week 2015 4 DEVELOP—Volunteer Centre Wiltshire
Wiltshire Council has made a commitment to help adults across Wiltshire get confident with the basics of computers and the web. It doesn't matter whether that's a laptop, desktop, tablet or smart phone - we want to make sure that everyone who wants to take that step into the digital age can access the support they need to do so—for FREE. This is delivered by Wiltshire online volunteer digital champions who give bespoke one to one support on the learners own device, where and when it is convenient for them.
We would like to make reference to our oldest learner Norah, who is now 101. For Norah’s 100th Birthday her family bought her a laptop and she came to Wiltshire Online asking for help. The volunteer coordinator matched Norah with volunteer digital champion David, who has been working with Norah through sickness and health over the past year.
David volunteers with Wiltshire Online but also made a pledge to fit in volunteering as part of Wiltshire’s Big Pledge campaign in 2014.
Wiltshire Online: “Norah proves that you are never too old to learn.”
Nora, on her 101st birthday.
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Volunteers’ Week 2015 DEVELOP—Volunteer Centre Wiltshire
We find that computers and the internet become a lot more interesting for learners when the learner starts to see personal benefits, so we always look for the ‘hook’. In Nora’s case it was shopping for dresses, and when she found out that she could shop online and have them delivered she was excited, only to find that when she registered with her favourite website she couldn’t actually buy anything as their date of birth field only had 2 characters for the year, and Nora looked like she too young to shop! This didn’t stop David, her volunteer from helping, he contacted the company and explained Norah’s situation and they quickly changed the field to allow for the full date of birth instead. Now Nora is able to shop online all by herself. Norah proves that you are never too old to learn.
David is one of over 100 volunteers for Wiltshire Online, and between them they have helped over 1300 learners in Wiltshire with one to one support. Sessions can be in individuals own homes, in public places with Wifi, at Wiltshire Libraries, at our computer clubs which are aided in two areas by 6th form student volunteers, in coffee shops, lunch clubs and at Job Centre Plus where we help get job seekers get on line too.
Digital champions offer free basic computer support, however, the service they actually provide is far more than that. The volunteer gives
learners who are frightened of the internet, confidence, and this can open up a whole new exciting world of opportunities, including health benefits in combatting social isolation by introducing social media, saving money as prices can be compared instantly online, expanding knowledge with information at a touch of a button, improving travel and leisure options, enriching hobbies and so much more. Our learners are so grateful to receive this free one to one help from volunteers and appreciate that the help is because the volunteer wants to be there and not because they are paid to help, which enriches the learning experience for both the learner and the volunteer.
Wiltshire online in on twitter #wiltshireonline
Facebook: Wiltshire online
Website: Www.wiltshireonline.org
David, Digital Champion for
Wiltshire Online
Volunteers’ Week 2015 6 DEVELOP—Volunteer Centre Wiltshire
Guide Dogs:
“Alan is truly the backbone of the Swindon Guide Dogs Group and an inspiration to all.”
Every hour, another person in the UK goes blind. When someone loses their sight, we’re here to make sure they don’t lose their freedom as well.
Our Support Groups in the community are our ambassadors. They fundraise and raise awareness of the services we can provide and they are all volunteers.
Alan Fletcher who is the Branch Chair of Swindon Guide Dogs is a guide dog owner who through volunteering has led the way in helping others with a visual impairment.
Alan says, ‘Becoming blind when I was 57 years old it made me realise how vulnerable you become and in some cases quite helpless and that is one of the reasons I applied to have a guide dog as I realised I could not change what happened to me but there are aids to help me get on with my life.’
‘When I got my first guide dog, Joy, she changed my life and I thought I could
help people like me to lead a normal a life as possible.’
Alan became Chairman of Swindon Guide Dogs Group in 2008, taking it from strength to strength and since then they have raised over £350,000 for Guide Dogs!
He adds ‘I lead a group of volunteers that fundraise and do talks to raise the awareness of our charity locally. I communicate with local MPs, organisations, businesses and newspapers and community magazines about events, collections and national issues in Guide Dogs.’
Alan is truly the backbone of the Swindon Guide Dogs Group and an inspiration to all. Helping Alan along the way is his wife Shirley and his new guide dog Nutmeg.
We have lots of roles in the community which all work towards helping provide services to people who are blind or partially sighted.
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Volunteers’ Week 2015 DEVELOP—Volunteer Centre Wiltshire
Puppy walking is a crucial volunteering role which prepares guide dog puppies for their working life by familiarising them with different environments including the home, towns and public transport.
Volunteer Puppy Walkers provide the full-time care and education of a puppy from six weeks of age until they are between 12 and 14 months old.
Jacqui a Puppy Walker says, ‘My love of dogs combined with the opportunity to help someone else could not have made this more perfect. It is a very rewarding and fulfilling thing to do.’
The My Guide service trains volunteers to use basic sighted guiding techniques to help people with sight loss get out of their homes and to do things they enjoy.
These volunteers assist people with sight loss, regularly guiding them to local shops, community events or to take part in a specific interest or hobby.
Katie a My Guide volunteer explains: ‘Volunteering gives me a sense of achievement. My Guide volunteering is free from pressure and is very flexible. It’s also fun!’
Alan and Nutmeg.
Volunteers’ Week 2015 8 DEVELOP—Volunteer Centre Wiltshire
The Youth Adventure Trust would like to take this opportunity to say a massive THANK YOU to each and every one of our amazing volunteers!
Put simply the programme we offer would not be possible without their dedication and enthusiasm.
Our volunteers offer a wide range of skills and experiences and we really value the diversity they bring to our programme. They are ideal role models for our young people and they invest a great deal of energy and time into ensuring that the young people have a positive, meaningful and enjoyable experience with us.
Aiden, who completed the Youth Adventure Trust programme last year, says:
“The youth adventure programme has been and always will be one of the most thrilling experiences that I will never forget. I Hope the new Year 7’s enjoy the journey through the programme as much as I did. Thank you to Rob, Tessa and all the volunteers who helped out. P.S Can I come back
and volunteer when I'm older please?!”
Youth Adventure Trust :
“Put simply the programme we offer would not be possible without their dedication and enthusiasm.”
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Volunteers’ Week 2015 DEVELOP—Volunteer Centre Wiltshire
We would like to say a massive thank you to all the volunteers that support Wiltshire Library Service in a variety of different ways. Our Community Library Volunteers help us to keep our smallest libraries open and extend the opening hours at other libraries across the county. We have over 300 of these volunteers who regularly give up their time to ensure that their communities have good access to their local library.
At the new Springfield Community Campus library volunteers have also helped us to provide increased opening hours for our customers. Over the last year all these volunteers gave up 18526 hours to support Wiltshire libraries.
We have 123 amazing Home Service volunteers who deliver books to people who are unable to leave their homes to visit the library. 207 people were able to continue to have regular access to books over the last year because of these volunteers. Our Home Service clients and volunteers enjoy getting to know each other and this regular social contact can be very important for many of our clients.
Altogether we have 760 volunteers who get involved with Wiltshire Libraries. As well as the wonderful volunteers above, we also have people of all ages who help us to deliver the Summer Reading Challenge to primary aged children in all our libraries over the summer holidays. Other volunteers are involved in regular story and rhyme times for pre-school children. We are very lucky to have the support of so many committed and energetic volunteers and we very much appreciate all they do for us.
Wiltshire Libraries Service:
“We are very lucky to have the support of so many committed and energetic volunteers and we very much appreciate all they do for us.”
Volunteers’ Week 2015 10 DEVELOP—Volunteer Centre Wiltshire
Home-Start Kennet:
“You’re all skilled, committed and lovely people and we thank you so much!”
What we do:
Home-Start Kennet is part of a national
network of 340 local Home-Starts. We
are a voluntary organisation and our
professionally trained and supported
volunteers offer friendship, support
and practical help to parents with
young children, in their own homes.
Our Volunteers:
Forty local people, of all ages and
backgrounds, have supported 85
families with 180 children in the past
year. They visit weekly, for about six
months, and work alongside their
families to help with a wide range of
issues that parents tell us are
preventing them from being able to
give their children the best start in life.
Our families are full of praise for
“their” volunteer and appreciate the
regular visits and friendly support that
is offered.
Hear from our volunteers:
“I’ve been with 3 families all very
different….the support I receive from
organisers and admin is total ... it’s
been such a privilege to help my
families pick themselves up .. ..as a
volunteer I can form a relationship
that bypasses an intervention by any
statutory agency and form a bond
that really makes a difference.”
“Boosted my confidence in
interacting with children. As a
grandma, I love watching the kids
develop and enjoy relieving mum’s
workload.”
“HS is my way of giving something
back now my children have left
home.”
“Looking forward to a career working
with families – hopefully Home-
Start.”
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Volunteers’ Week 2015 DEVELOP—Volunteer Centre Wiltshire
Hear from our Families
“I have had a lovely experience. The
having twins’ thing has been an
intense first year. With my Home-
Start volunteer on a Friday I have felt
less overwhelmed and less isolated,
and gained lots of reassurance from
the support she provided.”
“Extremely helpful team of people
who had helped me to turn my life
around. I feel more confident and
get out more, have more friends
with children and take part in local
groups. Couldn’t have done it
without them”.
How we prepare and support our
volunteers:
Prep course – 7 weekly sessions that
give practical information and teach
volunteers how to do things “the
Home-Start way”
The prep course can be CERTA
accredited for people who want to
move into family support on a
professional basis or who want the
certificate for its own sake!
Lots of peer group meetings when
volunteers can talk among
themselves about their experiences
and learn from each other
Extra specialised sessions each year
– recently about mental health
issues, safeguarding and learning
through play
A professional organiser who makes
all the arrangements and keeps in
close touch while a volunteer is
working with a family
A whole team approach so that all
staff can support a volunteer who
rings the office.
A big thank you to all our volunteers
The Board of Trustees and
Management of Home-Start Kennet
want our home visiting volunteers to
know how much we appreciate all that
they do – for their families and for our
organisation. Home-Start is a
volunteer-delivered service – without
our volunteers we would not exist.
You’re all skilled, committed and lovely
people and we thank you so much!
PS – we welcome new volunteers and
new trustees, especially from the
Tidworth, West Wilts and Devizes
areas. Do visit our website
(www.homestartkennet.co.uk or our
Facebook page)
Volunteers’ Week 2015 12 DEVELOP—Volunteer Centre Wiltshire
Every year the Alzheimer’s Society local groups to nominate volunteers and staff for a People Award and this year Emma nominated Ken Dungate for an award in the Trusted Colleague category – they had over 300 nominations for 6 categories in total so I was over the moon that he was shortlisted to the final 6 in his category and invited to the ceremony at St James’ Palace in April.
The winners were announced by Society ambassador Angela Rippon and they were presented with their awards by HRH Princess Alexandra and Ken won his category!
Ken has been volunteering for the Society for over two years and has given up his time to come to Singing for the Brain, Memory Cafés, our Day Care Centre, a cookery course and any other events he is asked to help with. Ken's friendly, professional, open and honest approach ensures he builds trust with people affected by dementia, employees and fellow volunteers with ease. He always treats people with dementia with dignity and respect and helps build strong relationships across all the
services he volunteers at.
Basically Ken is in his 80s but readily gives up his time to help out twice a week wherever he is needed as well as volunteering at St Thomas’ church in Salisbury – he is always cheerful, professional and an absolute pleasure to have around – plus he makes the best mug of tea!
He took one of his daughters to the awards and they had a lovely time – we were all extremely proud of him but it is no less than he deserves for all he does for the Society – he is one of an extraordinary team of volunteers that we have in South Wiltshire and I could not manage without each and every one of them, so sincere thanks to you all.
Alzheimer's Society :
“Ken’s he is always cheerful, professional and an absolute pleasure to have around – plus he makes the best mug of tea!”
Ken receiving his award from HRH Princess
Alexandra.
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Volunteers’ Week 2015 DEVELOP—Volunteer Centre Wiltshire
Calne Town Council CCTV Volunteers: Over the past year volunteers have given a total of 2617 hours of their time!
Calne Town Council CCTV are proud to
be one of a small minority of CTTV
Control Rooms staffed entirely by
Volunteer CCTV Operators.
Calne CCTV seeks to deter and reduce
the fear of crime, enhancing
community safety and assisting the
local Police Constabulary it its
enforcement and regulatory functions
within the town. With the support of
a CTTV Manager employed by Calne
Town Council, a committed team of
25 volunteers provide round the clock
surveillance of 11 cameras located
around the town.
Over the past year volunteers have
given a total of 2617 hours of their
time, with a typical shift of three to
four hours.
Hear from a Calne CCTV volunteer:
“After taking early retirement, I soon
found that I needed to find something
to ‘get me out of the house’ and a
chance conversation with a friend led
me to apply to the Council as a
volunteer CCTV operator. After several
hours training on both the equipment
itself and the necessary legislation, I
‘entered service’ along with an
experienced operator and as my
experience grew I then chose my own
shifts and operating partners.I found
that volunteering in this way gave me
not only an insight into the efforts to
protect the community but made me
a part of it.”
For any enquiries regarding Calne
CCTV or to find out more about
becoming a Volunteer CCTV Operator
please contact Gerry Mooney, Calne
Town Council CCTV Manager, at
[email protected] or 01249
814000.
Volunteers’ Week 2015 14 DEVELOP—Volunteer Centre Wiltshire
Methodist Homes for the Aged (MHA)
is a leading, non profit making,
national charity providing services for
older people. The Fairways is a new
retirement village located in
Chippenham, with the Care Home
element of the Village consisting of a
60 places - 30 for people living with
Dementia and 30 residential care.
All at The Fairways greatly cherish our
volunteers, their proven contributions
to the lives of our residents is
immeasurable. We depend greatly on
the generosity and goodwill of our
Volunteers, who give those extra and
special things – their energy,
kindness, skills and most of all, time,
which let’s face it is usually in short
supply. They help run art clubs, sing-
alongs, gardening clubs, activities,
fund raising, befriending and much
more. They make our residents smile,
laugh, feel good about themselves
and keep them informed and valued.
They help keep them fit, healthy and
better able to cope with loss and
frailty.
For all of the above and so much
more, on behalf of all our Residents
and Staff, we would like to say a
massive thank you to all our
wonderful Volunteer’s.
Hear from a few of our lovely
Volunteers:
Helen: “Becoming a Volunteer at The
Fairways is one of the highlights of my
life. At the ripe old age of …?!!! I have
privilege of using the gifts and skills I
have been given – getting alongside
people … supporting, praying with,
sharing, giving comfort, listening,
understanding, doing “crafty” things
together, having fun – and sometimes
even being “naughty”! I usually end
up feeling that I have received far
more than I have been able to give.
Being a Volunteer is highly
recommended”
MHA - The Fairways Retirement Village: “They make our residents smile, laugh, feel good about themselves and keep them informed and valued.”
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Volunteers’ Week 2015 DEVELOP—Volunteer Centre Wiltshire
Heather: “I know that the residents
look forward to our little chats, it
breaks up their days. They really
appreciate the one on one
experience. I spread a bit of
happiness and really enjoy it when
they laugh. They have my full
attention and I will treat them with
both dignity and respect. It is so
rewarding and easy to do. You get
so comfortable just chatting to the
residents, it maybe something
normal to you but the residents can
get so much pleasure. Just a couple
of hours can make such a huge
difference; it is a pleasure not a
chore. Go on spread a bit of
happiness”.
Susannah: “It is very rewarding to
see residents responding to various
activities even if they can only
respond in a limited way.
Sometimes there is the unexpected
joy of witnessing someone able to
retrieve a memory from long ago –
sometimes this helps staff and other
volunteers learn a little bit more of
their history and use this in a
positive way. No two days are alike
and this makes life more interesting
– this was always something I found
rewarding as a teacher of young
children and I feel privileged to have
those experiences now”.
Volunteers’ Week 2015 16 DEVELOP—Volunteer Centre Wiltshire
Healthwatch Wiltshire (HWW) is the local consumer champion for health and social care. We provide information and signposting, and gather Wiltshire peoples’ experiences of their health and social care, to identify areas of good practice or concern.
Our volunteers are our ‘ears on the ground’ – people out in their communities gathering local intelligence about what services are and are not working. They engage with special interest groups, run promotional stands at a variety of events and attend public meetings such as Area Boards to monitor what is happening within their communities. Our volunteers gather information from children and young people, working age adults and older adults, to suit their interests as well as our priority areas.
Specialist volunteers who have undergone extra training have been invaluable in participating alongside staff on visits to care homes and hospitals, gathering the experiences of residents, patients and carers.
Volunteer directors (board members)
provide the leadership for HWW. The Board agree the strategic direction for us based on what people tell us is important to them. This year we have been focusing on dementia, hospital and community care in general under the Better Care Fund plans for integration, the quality of services more widely, information provision and NHS complaints.
Lucie Woodruff, Volunteer and Engagement Officer, said “I would like to say a huge thank you to all our amazing volunteers who have given their time, by helping to promote us at an event by manning one of our promotional stands, attended their local area board meeting to represent HWW, spent time talking to patients at one of our many hospital or care home visits, carried out a telephone interview, filled out a survey, passed our information to family or friends who might be interested or shared their vast knowledge and experience at a focus group. Without their commitment and time we would not be able to maintain the reach we currently have across Wiltshire. Volunteers – I salute you!!”
Healthwatch Wiltshire “Without their commitment and time we would not be able to maintain the reach we currently have across Wiltshire.”
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Volunteers’ Week 2015 DEVELOP—Volunteer Centre Wiltshire
June, a specialist volunteer said “Having retired from working with Health and Social Care and within the Voluntary sector I felt I may still have something to give to the community – volunteering using my experience and knowledge. When a friend pointed out that there was going to be a “Healthwatch Wiltshire” being set up and perhaps I would be interested, I immediately looked online for information.
I attended a meeting in Devizes where I unexpectedly met up with people I’d worked with in the past, listened to how Healthwatch Wiltshire was talking about their aim to give residents and local communities the opportunity to have a strong voice and to challenge and influence health and social care services. It sounded just up my street so happily signed up to become a volunteer!
I have now been involved for a year and really enjoy the excellent training that is provided, the warm and friendly staff, the opportunity to meet other volunteers and listen to Wiltshire residents about their experiences of what works well and what needs to significantly improve!”
We have over 40 active volunteers, and would welcome applications from anyone else interested in making peoples’ voices heard about health and social care. We have volunteers acting in a variety of roles, and have a range of opportunities available to suit you, including openings for new directors.
www.healthwatchwiltshire.co.uk
Twitter: @HWWilts
01225 434218
June representing Healthwatch Wiltshire with a promotional stall .
Volunteers’ Week 2015 18 DEVELOP—Volunteer Centre Wiltshire
Victim Support is the independent charity for victims and witnesses of crime in England and Wales. Last year, Victim Support offered more than one million victims of crime support.
The charity has 1,050 staff and 3,000 volunteers and celebrated its 40th anniversary during 2014. We rely highly on volunteers to deliver our service.
Victim Support Wiltshire currently has 20 volunteers covering the county and we are actively recruiting to have a total of 40 volunteers.
The volunteers visit the victims in their home and provide emotional support in the form of a listening ear, building resilience and validating the victim’s feelings. If there is a need volunteers can act as advocates and liaise with different agencies on behalf of the victim.
Volunteers can have a big impact on victims moving forward from the effects of crime, here is how Victim Support helped a victim of childhood abuse.
“I never really had a childhood, only an experience of fear and shame. The memories and the after-effects – from depression to fear of relationships – have haunted me throughout my life.
“I heard about Victim Support from my brother. My specialist Victim Support worker looked into different support and educational services for me. The experience was all positive.
Talking through my issues and their causes with my Victim Support worker has given me the understanding of the impact of the sexual violence on my life which I needed to be able to move on.”
Volunteers Comments:
“Helping people to get their lives back
on track after being a victim of crime is
an important role and gives me
tremendous satisfaction.”
“I am proud to volunteer for Victim
Support and would encourage anyone
interested in making a difference while
learning new skills to consider
volunteering for Victim Support.”
Victim Support: “Volunteers can have a big impact on victims moving forward from the effects of crime”
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Volunteers’ Week 2015 DEVELOP—Volunteer Centre Wiltshire
Splitz would like to take this
opportunity to thank all our amazing
volunteers who have contributed so
far in 2015 to helping victims of
domestic abuse – without you a lot
more families and individuals would
still be struggling.”
The Buddy Scheme is a mentoring and
befriending service which currently
has 19 trained volunteer mentors (or
buddies) who, each support between
one and three service users at any
one time. We are always looking for
new volunteers and are especially
interested if you live in the North or
the South of the county.
Hear from our volunteers:
Michelle: “I received support from
Splitz in 2003-2004 and again in 2007.
Having always wished to give
something back to the charity I joined
the team as a Buddy in April 2014.
Today I would describe myself as a
confident single mum of four. Part of
my own recovery from past hurts is to
continue helping others through tough
times. There's nothing more
rewarding than giving someone hope
for the future, which is what Splitz
gave to me in a dark time of my life."
Jenny: “I chose to volunteer with Splitz
Support after learning of the high
prevalence and severe impact of
domestic abuse as part of my course
at University. I found the training
given by Splitz Support before starting
as a Buddy was very useful. It
provided me with an insight into the
experience of domestic abuse as well
as the confidence to feel I could help
someone who was having a difficult
time.”
Sarah, service user:
“The Buddy Scheme is a great service
for both the service user and buddy; it
creates confidence on both sides.”
Splitz Support Service : “(…) without you a lot more families and individuals would still be struggling.””
Registered Charity No. 1096008 Volunteer Centre Wiltshire is run by DEVELOP
Contact us
Tel: 0845 521 6224
Email: [email protected]
www.volunteercentrewilts.org.uk
Textphone: 0845 094 2113
This information can be available in
alternative formats, please contacts us.
Volunteer Centre Wiltshire, 3-4 New Road,
Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 1EJ
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