CFVSF Directory

Providing support in a fully dedicated way for those, children and adults, who are personally affected by another person’s addiction.

Services Provided:

Residential family programme:-
A four day residential programme to help adult family members/carers time and space to reflect on the situation and how life might be improved, spending time with others experiencing similar difficulties. Delivered several times a year in Warminster, Wiltshire.

M-PACT (Moving Parents and Children Together) Programme:-
Providing support to children living with or affected by their parents substance misuse. An 8 week programme; consisting of 2.5 hours per week for up to 8 families at a time, engaging with the whole family where possible.

Professional training is also available.

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We are a charity that supports vulnerable, homeless and marginalised people. We help them transform their lives, providing accommodation and helping them gain the skills, confidence and opportunities to live a fulfilled life.

Services Provided:

• All ages including young people 16-24 – Young Mothers and their babies.
• Homeless, Learning Disabilities, Care Leavers, Mental Health (over 18’s), Drugs and Alcohol (over 18’s), Veterans.
• Leaving Care North – Chippenham & Trowbridge
• Leaving Care South – Salisbury Supported accommodation: Summit, Calne,
• Hope House, Calne,
• The Orchard, Devizes, Eden House,
• Salisbury Mother & Baby – Salisbury Learning Disability – accommodation provided across the county

The Amber Foundation is an independent charity that supports homeless and unemployed young people – providing a temporary, safe place to live. With the space and support that they need to transform their lives.

Services Provided:

Residential home for young single homeless 17-30 years.

We aim to inspire, to challenge and to educate, to show the importance of teamwork, volunteering and to motivate young people to want to work and live healthy, active lives.

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The Army Families Federation (AFF) is the independent voice of Army families and works hard to improve the quality of life for Army families around the world – on any aspect that is affected by the Army lifestyle.

Services Provided:

We also involve volunteers to support our work. We have specialists who cover the following areas :

• Education and Childcare
• Housing
• Employment
• Training and Benefits
• Health and Additional Needs
• Foreign and Commonwealth

Provide a confidential and non-discriminatory support service that responds to the needs of the service community, giving guidance and support to serving personnel and their families.

Services Provided:

Provide learning opportunities, programmes, activities and experiences for both military and civilian personnel and their families.

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Barnardo’s protect and support the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people. We help bring out the best in them – no matter who they are or what they have been through.

Services Provided:

• Wiltshire short breaks – disabled children and young people who are eligible for the local offer.
• Positive activities – any disabled young people, supported by young peer mentors.
• Delivering Child Sexual Exploitation workforce training (West of England)
• CSE Project – Victim Care and Workforce Training.
• Barnardo's Healthy Minds Wiltshire.  Mental health early intervention service for young people aged 5 to 18.
• Fabric of Life 2.  For young people aged 13 plus with SEND exploring identity through fashion.

Beat is the UK’s eating disorder charity. We exist to end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders. We are a champion, guide and friend to anyone affected, giving individuals experiencing an eating disorder and their loved ones a place where they feel listened to, supported and empowered.

Services Provided:

We support those affected by eating disorders. We provide a Helpline for adults and young people, Website, Message boards, Online support groups, Self help and Support groups.

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For adults and children with learning disabilities and/or autism.

Services Provided:

Families and Children’s project – working with up to 5 families at a time over approx. 12 weeks offering and delivering parenting support, advice and strategies to increase resilience and parenting skills within and from the family home. We can also offer a children and family service as an alternative to traditional models of support which often ask young people and their families to fit into services that don’t fit their lives. This is a separate service which sits outside of the project that we have been running.

We work alongside families and children so that they can choose their own staff and design support which fits and flex around the family allowing the young person, their parents and siblings to be families first. This could be commissioned in a variety of ways and be from 4 hrs to 24/7 dependant on the child’s assessed need.

The service will be delivered across 7 days per week 24hrs per day

We deliver joint training for family members, including siblings and grandparents to enable them as a family to have the tools they need to be resilient and less reliant on paid support.

We encourage children to be children first and share all the experiences that their siblings and non-disabled peers would as part of their own childhood experience.

Also provide flexible support for adults and 24/7 support via supported living model to adults in or from their own home. We work with younger adults through transition from the family home and/or college into shared support and accommodation. We support people to maintain their tenancies, budget, find suitable learning, development and employment opportunities as well as engaging with their local community and being a valued citizen.

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From hiring a wheelchair or dealing with loneliness, to adjusting to life in a new country – we’re there when you need us. 

Services Provided:

• First Aid Education adapted to learner needs and ability.
• Mobility Aids Service providing short-term loans of wheelchairs and other equipment

Services for people caring for a relative, friend or neighbour who, due to illness, disability, age, substance misuse or eating disorder, cannot manage on their own.

Services Provided:

• Emotional Support
• Information & Signposting
• Breaks
• Complementary therapies
• Counselling
• Regular newsletter
• Social outings and activities
• Befriending
• Regular Support Groups
• Education/Training opportunities
• Carer involvement and consultation.

Youth Action Wiltshire is the national award winning ‘Youth Arm’ of Community First. We have been working with Wiltshire’s young people for 70 years. Our success has been built upon developing innovative, effective and exciting services and through the expertise of our friendly and dedicated team.

We provide services for young people aged 5-25 years including young carers, young people facing challenges in their lives and young people who are NEET.

Services Provided:

• Wiltshire Young Carers Service: Keeping young carers safe in their caring roles and equipping them for the future.
• Project Inspire: Supporting young people who are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) to overcome barriers and progress.
• Splash: Providing positive activity programmes and one to one support for young people facing ‘challenges in their lives’, to increase confidence, self-esteem and skills.
• Youth Led Volunteering including National Citizenship Service:
• Youth Club Support: Supporting the development of new youth clubs and working with youth and young leaders to ensure Wiltshire’s voluntary youth clubs are safe, interesting places to be.

Crimestoppers is an independent charity which allows people to report crime or pass on information about crime anonymously.

Services Provided:

Crimestoppers operates a freephone telephone number to report crime on: 0800 555 111 or use the non-traceable online form at Crimestoppers. Callers are not required to give their name or any personal information.

The line is open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.

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Doorway is a charity drop-in centre for those who are homeless, sofa surfing or who have complex issues that might affect their ability to acquire and / or sustain a tenancy

Services Provided:

We provide a friendly, safe place for adults who are homeless or who have complex issues, such as debt, mental health problems, substance use or poor life skills which are likely to affect their ability to acquire or sustain a tenancy.

Doorway provides guests with the everyday basics i.e. freshly cooked food, laundry and shower facilities, sleeping bags, food parcels, befriending by trained staff and support to access specialist services.

In addition, we offer activities such as music; creative writing; art workshops; indoor football and IT training which aim to build self-esteem and teach new skills as a first step to moving into work and sustaining a tenancy.

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We provide compassionate care and support for people in our community with a life-limiting illness. Dorothy House focuses on quality of life, so patients can live well and die well.

We give care and support to patients and their families in Bath and north east Somerset and parts of Wiltshire and Somerset, whenever they need it; at home, in the hospice, or at one of our outreach centres. We respect the uniqueness of each patient and their family, and empower them to choose the type of care they receive.

Services Provided:

Dorothy House provides social work and therapeutic services to the families (adults and children) of patients under the care of Dorothy House, including:

• Advice, support and information for parents (telephone and face-to-face)
• A monthly group for bereaved teenagers
• Outdoor activity days for bereaved children and their surviving parent/carer
• Creative arts
• Individual support for children & young people who need it including

Elizabeth House Social Centre is a charity providing services for children and adults with learning disabilities and mental health issues.

Services Provided:

• Children’s short breaks
• Blue Skies for 16+ with Learning disabilities
• Kingfishers for 16+ with Mental Health
• Evening Social club for 16+

Family Counselling Trust (FCT) is a registered mental health charity providing key early intervention counselling support to children, young people (up to age 18) and their families.

Services Provided:

We provide low cost counselling and therapy services to children under 18 who have emotional and behavioural difficulties and their families

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Help Empowerment and Local Support (HEALS) is about helping people to help themselves. At HEALS of Malmesbury we work with individuals and families on a one to one, free and confidential basis at our drop-in Centre. We offer services fo families, single parents, those in poverty or those in need, because of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage, the unemployed, those who are homeless, those who’ve suffered domestic violence, Foodbank agent.

Services Provided:

HEALS of Malmesbury works to the following programmes:

• Helping Hands
• WILLS FRIENDS
• CLASS
• Communitybiz
• SAVE (Stand Against Violence and Empower) programme.

We provide part grant payments/items (in certain circumstances and where possible) in addition we offer support, CV writing, employment searches, information, advocacy, advice and access to essential services.

We also run community projects, trips, activities and events. Our office provides a safe and accessible, central place that ensures that those in the greatest need have access to someone who can support them through the challenges and crisis they are facing. We include individuals we’ve helped and supported in our work and fundraising. 

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We are the independent champion for people who use health and social care services in Wiltshire. We’re here to make sure that those running services put people at the heart of care.

Our sole purpose is to understand the needs, experiences and concerns of people who use health and social care services and to speak out on their behalf.

Services Provided:

For all health and social care service users. We promote the voice of the consumer in the development of health and social care strategies (children and adults); provide and promote effective signposting and information systems; promote, monitor and inspect the quality of services commissioned to meet health and social care needs; tell the Wiltshire story. We do this by talking and listening to people about their experiences of using health and social care services.

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Help for Heroes believes that those who put their lives on the line for us, deserve a second chance at life. We provide lifetime support for the Armed Forces Community and their families.

Services Provided

Whether returning from duty or transitioning to civilian life, residents and day visitors at Tedworth House Recovery Centre can take part in activities and life skills courses to help them get back out doing what they enjoy most. The Centre aims to inspire those who have been wounded, injured or become sick while serving our country and enable them to lead active, independent and fulfilling lives.

The Centre has been specially designed to offer the very best recovery atmosphere. It offers 46 single en-suite bedrooms and four family suites. A creative kitchen, presentation room, two lounges, and an adaptive gym with specialist equipment also form part of the Centre. The Hope on the Horizon Garden provides a space to relax and take stock.

The facility also houses a revolutionary Help for Heroes Support Hub which will gives Servicemen, women and Veterans access to specialist Service charities and agencies in a single location, ensuring that they are easily able to access the support they need.

The relaxed atmosphere promotes general wellbeing, and residents are encouraged to undertake their own recovery programme under the guidance of specialist staff. It may involve educational courses, work placements, medical appointments or sporting activities. These activities are designed to improve personal independence, raise morale, and develop camaraderie with others who have been injured or become sick.

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We are an organisation based in Wiltshire providing practical support to families, individuals (male and female), young people and children who have experienced  domestic violence and their associated issue.

Our organisation aims to reduce their suffering and promote their health and wellbeing by helping them sustain independence and take back control of their lives.

Services Provided:

We provide services for victims of domestic violence:

• We provide emergency items e.g. Clothes, nappies or any items a family may need as soon as they leave a domestic violence relationship.
• While in the refuge we can provide a buddy service along with any support that is required.
• Once the victim is out of the refuge we help to provide furniture and household items to get the victim on their feet with a view to helping them to gain independence and to help them gain confidence in themselves.
• We are able to continue the buddy service and to help form fill to make sure all benefit entitlements are met.
• We run a Christmas shoe box appeal to help all families in refuge with a Christmas box at Christmas.
• We also signpost to other agencies that can help with any support that we are not able to offer.

Home-Start Kennet (also known locally as HSK) is one of a network of 340 local Home-Starts in the UK. We are a voluntary organisation that offers friendship, support and practical help to parents with young children in their own homes.

Services Provided:

HSK provides a unique model of in the home support, to local vulnerable families who have at least one child under 5. Volunteers, who all have parenting experience, are safely recruited and professionally trained (40 hr course with optional accreditation) and supported to work with families under stress which have at least one child under 5.

The volunteers visit families at home and provide focussed family support. The service is preventative and aims, through early intervention and promoting family resilience, to stop difficulties escalating into crisis or even breakdown.

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Home-Start South Wiltshire is a charitable company limited by guarantee. Overseen by our local volunteer trustees and committee members our aim is to give children under 5 the best possible start in life by helping parents to manage daily life through strengthening relationships and widening their links within their local community.

Home-Start South Wiltshire works with parent volunteers to provide a community-based model of support for families with young children, tailored to the family’s needs. The Home-Start model offers one-to-one support and friendship to other parents through volunteer home visiting, family and specialist groups and social activities.

Services Provided:

Volunteers, who all have parenting experience, are safely recruited and professionally trained (40 hr course with optional accreditation) and supported to work with families under stress which have at least one child under 5.

The volunteers visit families at home and provide focussed family support. The service is preventative and aims, through early intervention and promoting family resilience, to stop difficulties escalating into crisis or even breakdown.

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Jamie’s Farm acts as a catalyst for change, enabling disadvantaged young people to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. We do this through a unique residential experience and rigorous follow-up programme, combining farming, family and therapy.

Services Provided:

For vulnerable children with behavioural/self-esteem/engagement with school issues. Residential farm visits with emphasis on family, farming and therapy.

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Julia’s House provides support to children with a life limiting or life-threatening condition and their families. This support is currently in the community.

Services Provided:

Hospice services include: 

• Home visits including regular respite care
• Emergency care during a crisis
• Family events
• Support and activities for siblings
• Therapies including complementary therapy and specialist play
• End of life care

Julian House is the leading provider of services to single homeless men and women in Bath & North East Somerset.

Services Provided:

Julian House operates more than 20 different projects, accommodation sites and social enterprises in Bath, Bristol and Wiltshire. These include: a range of homeless services, support for those suffering domestic violence, addiction recovery, individuals with learning difficulties, work experience and training.

Projects such as the Meaningful Occupation Programmes and our social enterprises are targeted at preventing people becoming homeless by engaging them in meaningful activities, training and preparation for employment. Not just changing lives – often saving lives.

The charity also helps to coordinate a rough sleeper reporting helpline in B&NES, Wiltshire, Swindon, Somerset and North Somerset. This allows members of the public to alert local services about anyone they see in a vulnerable situation outside.

At the Bike Workshop in Trowbridge we offer a 6 week Build a Bike course that gives a rewarding, hands-on introduction to bicycle maintenance. On completion of the course, participants will have completely dismantled and rebuilt their own bike from scratch. This bike is then theirs to keep, thereby removing a barrier to employment or training and promoting overall health and well-being. The course is also AQA accredited and participants are awarded a range of certificates which recognise their achievements.

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With the help of trained volunteers we service the community of Wiltshire by collecting, refurbishing and selling quality furniture and white goods at a discounted price for low income households, and regular prices to the general public.

Services Provided:

• Provide affordable white goods and furniture for sale.
• Collect white goods & furniture for sale/repair.
• Volunteering services in a range of activities including warehouse & storage, customer service and van crew.
• 2 tier pricing lower prices for those on means tested benefits, stock available to general public too.

SENDIAS service for Wiltshire. We offer free, independent and neutral information on Special Educational Needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and can give guidance to help young people with SEND and their parents/carers to make appropriate and informed choices relating to education, health and social care. 

Services Provided:

Our experienced team, based in Trowbridge, provides this individual support in a number of ways:

• We can discuss your views and concerns and support you to express them in writing. We can also facilitate meetings with school or the Local Authority.
• We can help you to understand your rights in terms of SEND legislation.
• We can assist you with forms, letter writing, and looking through reports and other paperwork in relation to your child’s education. 
• We can support you around My Support Plans, My Plans (Education Health and Care Plans), and Annual Reviews. We can also advise around personal budgets and home schooling.
• We can support you around the Appeals process and around mediation or tribunal.
• We can facilitate meetings with Education Officers to try and resolve issues before mediation and tribunal.
• We can signpost you to other services and organisations including the Wiltshire Parent Carer Council (WPCC) who may be able to support you, and talk to you about the Local Offer. We work closely with the WPCC to ensure parents and young people are given the opportunity to share their collective experiences to positively impact on decisions about local SEND services.
• We can support you if your child is being excluded and has a Special Educational Need and/or disability.

XenZone is a provider of online mental health services for children, young people and adults. Kooth, from XenZone, is an online counselling and emotional well-being platform for children and young people, accessible through mobile, tablet and desktop and free at the point of use. 

Services Provided:

Kooth is an online service for young people aged 11-25 and provides an anonymous and confidential service using a mix of counselling, support and advice on a drop in, out of hours and structured sessions.

The website itself contains:

• Peer support forums
• Self help tools
• Online instant messaging with a qualified and experienced Kooth counsellor
• Articles relevant to young people

The Kooth website can be accessed 365 days a year with online counselling available between 12-10pm Monday to Friday and 6-10pm Saturday and Sunday.

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We are a hands-on, all-inclusive care farm, based near Trowbridge, Wiltshire. We provide a fun, stimulating farming experience for children and adults of all ages and abilities.

Services Provided:

We offer the following services:

• Placements for clients with learning difficulties, and accredited courses in animal care
• Horticulture Work experience for college/school students
• Riding lessons via our Larkrise Riding for the Disabled Group; and carriage driving
• Farm Club every other Saturday morning for children of all abilities, from 5 – 16 years
• Guided educational farm visits for school groups
• Sensory farm visits for care home residents.

Motiv8 is a substance misuse service for young people aged 11-18 in Wiltshire. The service is provided by Developing Health & Independence (DHI).

We provide advice, guidance and one-to-one sessions for young people who are having problems with drugs and/or alcohol. The service is free and confidential, and we aim to provide a flexible and non-judgemental space for young people to be open about the problems they are facing.

Services Provided:

Motiv8 sees young people in and around Wiltshire, in their communities and at schools, colleges and home visits. Services include:

• Brief interventions
• Individual sessions
• Outreach
• Groups
• Harm reduction information and advice
• Signposting to other services
• Workshops and training for professionals
• Workshops and training for young people

The National Autistic Society (NAS) is here to transform lives, change attitudes and create a society that works for autistic people.

We are the South Wiltshire Branch of the National Autistic Society – a group of volunteers sharing information and support with families and/or individuals who live with autism.

Services Provided:

Support group for families and/or individuals living with autism in South Wiltshire.

The group meets on the first Monday (usually) of each month at the Community Space, Tesco, The Bourne Centre, Southampton Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 2NY, 7.30pm – 9.00pm.

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NSPCC works directly with children and families in  service centres across the UK and Channel Islands and gives support to thousands of adults and young people in need through the NSPCC helpline and Childline.

Services Provided:

NSPCC operates a service centre in Tidworth which provides the following:

• Positive Pathways
• Pregnancy in Mind

Positive Pathways: offers children and young people help and support to deal with problems affecting their life, happiness or well-being. The service helps to improve the young person’s confidence, skills and strengths, so they’re better prepared to cope with any future problems. It can help address a range of problems which could be affecting their life.

Pregnancy in Mind: supports parents during pregnancy. It aims to help parents manage any difficulties they’re facing, such as anxiety or depression. It uses a range of activities including mindfulness, active relaxation and peer support.

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Open Blue Trust uses a converted double-decker bus as a mobile community centre to deliver opportunities to isolated communities in North Wiltshire. The Open Blue Trust is a faith based registered charity committed to helping those who need it most and working in partnership with local communities.

Services Provided:

For children, young families and older people who live in isolated communities including army families, travellers.

• 1 Pot cookery course (Malmesbury)
• Residents Cafe, (Corsham Rd estate Lacock),
• Afterschool club (Thingley traveller site),
• Parent/toddler group, afterschool club (Hullavington, army families),
• Youth drop-in (Calne).

We provide practical and emotional support to families who have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness.

Services Provided:

• Family support: 24/7 support, around the country from diagnosis and beyond
• Sibling support: Support for brothers and sisters of very seriously ill children
• Home support: Providing emotional and practical support to families
• Hospital support: Attending hospital appointments
• Bereavement support: Face-to-face and over the phone

Real Horse Link is a Community Interest Company delivering TheHorseCourse, a horse assisted intervention, in Wiltshire and Swindon. Facilitators are trained and approved by TheHorseCourse, a registered charity based in Dorset.

TheHorseCourse is aimed at those who are suffering social exclusion due to poor emotional or thinking skills. This might manifest as offending, isolation, reliance on mental health or social services, drug and alcohol use, disengagement from school, training and work, or a host of other difficulties.

Services Provided:

Our flagship course is The ReStart over five consecutive days, 2 hours per day:

We do very little talking – the course is action-based, designed to interrupt participants’ usual thinking and emotional responses, whilst responsive to their pace and needs. Participants get one-to-one support from expert facilitators to learn and rehearse the eight skills shown on the THC Star. Positive habits are rewarded with success in an urgent context with clear feedback from unbiased, sensitive and expressive horses.

70%* of all participants improve across four outcomes:

1. Relationships with peers, family and professionals
2. Problem behaviours
3. Engagement with school, training or work
4. Identity, self-belief and hope

*Based on referrer follow-up two months post intervention

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Relate provides services for couples, families, parents and children as individuals or in groups.

Services Provided:

• Relationship Counselling as a couple or as an individual
• Family Counselling
• Children’s Counselling – in school and out of school
• Young People’s Counselling – in school and out of school
• Sex Therapy
• Military Veterans
• Supervised Child Contact Centre
• Counselling skills for non-counsellors
• Continuing Professional Development for counsellors and other professionals
• Peer mentoring training for schools.

Salisbury Child Contact Centre is a Supported Contact Centre whose aims are to provide a safe, neutral and comfortable place for children to see their non-resident parents or family. Supported Child Contact Centres are suitable for families when no significant risk to the child or those around the child has been identified.

We maintain a stance of impartiality when working with parents and other family members, and we maintain a strict code of confidentiality at all times

Services Provided:

The service is provided for young children of separated parents. The centre provides a safe neutral place for children to have contact with their non-resident parent. The Salisbury Child Contact Centre is open twice a month. On the first Saturday & the third Saturday of every month. The times of opening are 11am until 1pm.

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• For women and children
• Residential accommodation for families fleeing Domestic Violence
• Support and outreach project
• Key worker sessions/Advice
• Money Matters Courses
• Freedom Group.

The Services Cotswold Centre (SCC) is a tri-service facility managed by Headquarters Army Welfare Service (AWS) and funded by Headquarters Regional Command (HQ RC) on behalf of the MOD. It provides short term transit accommodation for service personnel and entitled family members.

The SCC accommodation comprises of 41 self contained chalet style homes and 19 single storey semi-detached units of various sizes. The SCC is located in Neston near Corsham, Wiltshire in the United Kingdom.

Services Provided:

• Services for serving services personnel and their families
• Provide Lypiatt School, Army Welfare Service and Children’s Centre
• Work with local providers such as Barnardo’s, Relate and Health Visitors.

Splitz Support Service is a registered charity delivering support services to adults and young people experiencing the trauma of domestic abuse and sexual violence. Splitz delivers services across south-west England.

Services Provided:

For men, women and teenagers.

• Paloma: outreach service for victims of domestic abuse, Making Changes: Group workshops for women who have experienced domestic abuse.
• Turnaround Programme: voluntary group for male perpetrators of domestic abuse. Women’s Safety Service: helps the ex-partner of male perpetrators to develop a safety plan and monitors the impact of the programme on the family.
• SplitzKidz/KidzPace: A support service for young people between 11 and 16 years of age who have witnessed domestic abuse.
• TeenzTalk: School programme for year groups 10 and 11 on respectful relationships. Community 4: delivers a housing related floating support service in Wiltshire.
• Buddy Scheme: mentoring and befriending service.

Springboard North Wilts Opportunity Group is a pre-school for children with special needs. All the children attending Springboard have some speech language or communication difficulty which impacts massively on their ability to access the mainstream world. Other children have a range of complex health needs, life limiting conditions or developmental delay, all of which need specialised intensive adult support to manage their physical difficulties, sensory impairment and complex medical needs.

Services Provided:

Services for Children aged 0-5 with SEN or disabilities and their families. We are an opportunity group that provides services as a district specialist centre.

Pre-school sessions M, W, TH, F, Assessment sessions Monday pm, Stay and Play sessions Tuesday am, Multi agency meetings, Saturdads, Playdates.

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Through the delivery of support and intervention services, and by speaking up on behalf of those who need us most, we give vulnerable children and families the chance for a better future.

Services Provided:

Children’s centres: 0 to 11, with focus on under 5s.

For families with children 0-11: One to one family support, children’s play sessions and fun activities, help with financial issues, benefits and debt advice, networks of support within the local community, support with accessing other services and agencies, adult learning opportunities, help and information on returning to work.

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Stepping Stones is a District Specialist Centre for pre-school children under 5 with disabilities and difficulties.

Services Provided:

• Specialist therapy and support
• Physiotherapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech and Language
• Sensory room
• Outreach support

Founded in 1999, Swan Advocacy is an independent advocacy charity working across the South West of England. We deliver high-quality, independent advocacy services supporting a diverse range of vulnerable people in our communities.

Services Provided:

Swan provides a free, independent advocacy service for vulnerable adults who, because of illness, disability or age may experience difficulty speaking up. We are commissioned by Wiltshire Council and NHS to provide the majority of services but also have projects funded by other sources.

We assign advocates who: support individuals at meetings/reviews/ appeals/appointments/help write letters/make calls/prepare appeals helping individuals make informed choices about their life.

Generic service provides advocacy support to adults who are in receipt of, or disputing access to, secondary health/social care services or in receipt of DLA. Swan’s Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy Service supports people that lack the capacity to make decisions. This service is for individuals under Mental Health Act 1983.

Two pilot projects, the Forces Project provides support to service personnel/veterans /service families. Early Intervention Dementia Project, aimed at supporting during the early stages of dementia and to remain working with the individual throughout their life.

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To anyone who needs emotional support – whatever you’re going through we’re here to help 24 hours a day – in confidence without judging. 

Services Provided:

Confidential emotional support via:

• Telephone (Freephone 116 123)
• Face-to-Face at our office in Swindon

We are active in the community and regularly visit the Jobcentre, Erlestoke Prison and local events. Our volunteers are also available to deliver presentations about our work and emotional health to schools, workplaces, clubs and organisations.

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Anybody Can Cook! improves lives by kindling a passion for cooking, infusing memories of food and preparation that are both positive and fun. Multi-award winning ABC Cook! engages individuals, promotes health, reduces isolation and builds communities through the sharing of food coupled with the development of cooking skills.

Services Provided:

For local people, families, community groups, schools, pre-schools, children’s centres, charities, public sector organisations including Public Health, Wiltshire council, Somerset Skills and Learning, Housing associations amongst others. We provide bespoke practical cookery courses or sessions encompassing preparation and cooking of simple, nutritious and cheap meals.

Tailored training and practical support can be offered around menu planning, catering for those with allergies, food safety management, use of cooking as an effective learning tool within the EYFS. Chartered Institute of Environmental Health accredited level 2 Awards in Food Safety and Healthier Foods and Special Diets. All courses are fully inclusive and can be adapted to meet different needs and family learning features in many.

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We are a national charity that works with the country’s most vulnerable children and young people. We listen. We support. We act. Because no child should feel alone.

Services Provided:

We provide support to children and young people facing difficult issues, and to parents and carers dealing with the challenges of family life. These include:

• Services for young carers
• Child sexual exploitation and child sexual abuse services
• Drop in service
• Young people drug and alcohol service
• Counselling
• Independent visitors
• Missing services
• Advocacy services
• Mental health and emotional well-being services
• Family support services
• Training and consultancy services

The curly hair project is a social enterprise which aims to help people with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their loved ones. All our work is based on personal, real life examples and experience. I deliver workshops, training and webinars in Wiltshire and across the South West.

Services Provided:

The services and products we provide are:

• Books and eBooks
• Podcasts and videos
• Counselling with an ASD-experienced counsellor
• Training for individuals and families
• Training for professionals
• Posters
• Blog
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We are the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS). Our work is dedicated to breaking down barriers for deaf children and their families.

Services Provided:

• 2 Family Officers for South West provide direct support to deaf children’s families
• National helpline (0808 800 8880)
• Assistance for SEN appeals
• Family events.

The Repair Academy is a social enterprise start up dedicated to reducing waste, providing skills and training for young people and offering affordable goods to low-income households.

Services Provided:

The Repair Academy aims to create a social, economic and environmental value by transforming unwanted household products into desirable goods, support people in need by helping them gain skills for employment and life and to change public opinion to make used and repaired items more attractive.

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We manage three Children’s Centres across Chippenham along with Calne, Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade. We provide Children’s Centre services for the Corsham, Purton and Malmesbury areas. The Children’s Centres provide services for families with at least one child under the age of five.

Services Provided:

We provide universal services:

• Children’s Centre services
• After School Club
• Holiday Club
• Youth mentoring (primary and secondary level)
• Family Visiting Service
• Youth Clubs
• Operation of off-site Contact Centre for supervised contact.

We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That’s why we provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis. We are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

Services Provided:

For families and individuals in crisis around Wiltshire. Foodbank centre at Salisbury St Paul’s Church, Fisherton Street, SP2 7QW hosts a cafe which provides hot meals and emergency food parcels to people presenting a foodbank voucher.

We also signpost to other services. Food boxes providing 3-days of food may be delivered to clients who live rurally or are house-bound when referral agency contacts foodbank directly (subject to van availability – voluntary run service). Partner agencies may hold food boxes in rural locations (contact Foodbank Manager for more details).

We also offer Cooking on a budget courses and Holiday Clubs.

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Tony Griffin is a retired Wiltshire Police Officer of 31 years’ experience. He spent 20 years investigating child abuse and neglect then managed the Child Abuse Investigation Team in Salisbury for 5 years. He is also qualified to teach adults and went on to lead, develop and deliver the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Children Training Programme for Wiltshire Safeguarding Children Board. (WSCB)

Services Provided:

Tony has now launched his own independent training programme for all early years, school and voluntary workers in Wiltshire. He can provide CPD accredited courses. One-day courses: Foundation Level Child Protection, Advanced level Child Protection and a Child Sexual Exploitation course.

He can also provide a half-day Sexualised Behaviours Course and a half day awareness raising course

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Victim Support is an independent charity that offers support to anyone impacted by crime whether or not the crime has been reported and regardless of when it happened.

Services Provided:

We provide telephone or face-to-face support, information on the victim’s case and the legal proceedings, relevant signposting to other support agencies, help with compensation and we also help with securing the victim’s home.

Under the age of 18 years we can provide support through the victim’s parents/guardians.

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Waste Not Want Not (WNWN) is a registered charity serving the local community. With a workforce of predominately volunteers we collect, free of charge, donations of furniture and household items that remain in good condition. We then offer these at low cost, to people on tight budgets, so they can create comfortable homes to feel proud of.

Services Provided:

For anyone whose household income is below £25,000, students and all the over 60s. WNWN provides:

• Affordable Furniture and household goods
• Volunteer and work experience opportunities
• Free collection service for unwanted household items

Wessex Community Action aims to enhance your local community and support voluntary activity across Wiltshire and the surroundings areas.

Services Provided:

For Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sectors:

• Transport Service with accessible minibuses up to 17 seats
• Training Courses
• Payroll Service
• Book-keeping services
• Back office printing, copying and administrative services available.

Also provide: Salisbury Child Contact Centre, Redworth Club (for adults with disabilities).

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A shared membership scheme with The British Dyslexia Association. For anyone wanting information about dyslexia – parents, students, teaching staff, school governors, employees and employers.

Services Provided:

We run a free helpline with impartial advice to support those seeking information about dyslexia – re support in schools, getting an assessment, assistance in the workplace:

Wiltshire admin/helpline: 01249 655489
National BDA helpline: 0333 405 4567

The WDA and BDA campaign and lobby for change and improvement.

Members may join the organisation for just £7 per year to receive regular magazines and newsletters including notice of any events we are organising.

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Wiltshire CIL is run by disabled people and exists to support disabled people achieve Independent Living. This involves breaking down the barriers to disabled people having more choice and control in their lives and getting the assistance they need.

Services Provided:

• Professional support and payroll services for direct payment users and self-funders in Wiltshire who pay for care at home, including an online PA Register
• MakeSomeoneWelcome: a campaign aiming to get disabled and older people into the heart of our vibrant communities.
• Peer support / Co-production
• Information and events for disabled and older people on relevant topics.
• Campaigning, participation and consultation locally and nationally on independent living issues; workshops and meetings
• Quarterly newsletter.

The WPCC provides a specialist consultation and participation service that enables parents and carers to voice their opinions about the services and support that their families receive

Services Provided:

• Support with benefits
• Money & grants
• Childcare
• Equipment
• Health & wellbeing
• Leisure & breaks
• Moving to adult life
• Schools & learning
• Special educational needs
• Social care services
• Rights and legal matters
• General support

Wiltshire Portage is an independent organisation and a registered charity, providing a free home visiting service to over 100 families in the towns and villages across Wiltshire.

The children who use the service have a wide range of needs and Portage Home Visitors use a variety of developmental checklists and journals to help identify a child’s strengths and goals for future learning.

Together with parents, Portage Home Visitors observe, play and then design individual bespoke education programmes aimed at helping the child to develop skills. This carefully structure but flexible system helps parents become even better teachers for their child. 

Wiltshire Portage is registered with the National Portage Association. 

Services Provided:

Wiltshire Portage provides Educational Home Visits for children with disabilities and difficulties from birth to school entry, as well as offering support to the family. The visits are an hour to an hour and a half, usually weekly although fortnightly or monthly visits may be offered.

The Portage sessions are play based; a discussion and partnership approach are key. Wiltshire Portage looks at the child’s strengths and needs, then an individual plan is agreed to help each child learn new skills in a small achievable step-by-step approach, with lots of opportunities for repetition and practice.

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Wiltshire Scrapstore is an award winning environmental and community charity situated on the outskirts of Lacock. We collect resources that would otherwise go to landfill and redistribute them for creative activities and projects of all kinds, from arts and crafts to DIY.

Services Provided:

For children, families, young people, adults, community groups, schools, and the general public.

Warehouse of resources for members of the public to access: Craft shop, Creative Birthday Parties, under 5’s Make and Play sessions, Children’s Art club (Runs Saturdays and holidays), Adult craft sessions, Workshops in the community, Workshops in schools.

We also have a café which is open to everyone, offering light lunches, cakes, hot and cold drinks and confectionary.

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Wiltshire Sight, formally known as Wiltshire Blind Association, was set up in 1919 to support Blind and Partially-Sighted people. In 2018, Wiltshire Sight joined forces with Vision West of England to expand provision of services to a much wider area, including Bristol, Bath and South Gloucestershire.

Services Provided:

For visually impaired children and their families:

• Information, advice and guidance on issues relating to sight loss
• Family events
• Support for carers

The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is one of the UK’s leading environmental charities, which recognizes that the conservation of wildlife and preservation of the planet are inextricably linked, and works to promote a sustainable future for wildlife and people. 

Services Provided:

We can provide work experience placements in a variety of environmental projects such as conservation skills, wood craft skills, waste management, refurbishment and recycling, and office admin. We provide provision for those suffering from mental illness, drug and alcohol abuse, ex-offenders, those with behavioural problems, learning difficulties and the long term unemployed. We believe in the biophilia hypothesis which shows that working in the outdoor environment has beneficial effects on health and wellbeing. This can improve individual’s confidence, social and practical skills giving them an advantage in looking for work. Current services: Wellbeing, Youth Wellbeing, Waste Education, Refurbishment & Recycling, Family Events, Conservation Work, Work Experience Placements, Wildlife Watch Groups, Local Supporter Groups.

Lakeside Care Farm- Lakeside offers children, young people and adults with specific needs the opportunity for meaningful education and work-based experience in nature conservation, farming and horticulture, as well as Forest School activities.

At Lakeside our experienced staff work with individuals and small groups. This includes, for example, children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), adult special needs groups and families.

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Founded in 1991, Wiltshire Service Users’ Network was the first User led organisation in Wiltshire and one of the pioneering organisations in the country. It was formed by people who use health and social services, to promote user involvement and support people to have a voice.

Services Provided:

• Holding meetings on issues of concern
• Organise & facilitate consultations & forums to give our views
• Taking part in the training of social workers
• Participating in meetings as part of the joint planning of services locally
• Independent monitoring of Help to Live at Home Scheme
• Wiltshire Independent Travel Service (see below)
• Membership of the Network is free.

Wiltshire Independent Travel Service (WITS), provides initial travel support to individuals who would like to travel independently on public transport for work, to meet friends, for college or training. A travel supporter will accompany the person on their journey until they become confident. We can work on skills like planning a journey, road safety, telling the time, using money or a bus pass and help to build confidence. The only cost to the individual are any bus or train fares although where possible we will assist people to apply for disabled person passes.

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The Youth Adventure Programme is a series of adventure camps and day activities which take place over 3 years, from Year 7 to Year 9. Each day or camp will have different activities so you’ll get to try lots of different things, from caving, canoeing and climbing to archery, sailing and circus skills. The camps are completely free of charge and you won’t need any special kit or equipment to take part. The activities are designed to be fun and also help you to challenge yourself and learn about working in a team.

Services Provided:

Our Youth Adventure Programme is an outdoor youth development course that provides vulnerable young people between 11 and 16 years old a chance to try new things and challenge themselves. The programme enables them to experience success, learn to go beyond their own expectations and grow in confidence.

The Youth Adventure Programme is a series of residential adventure camps and day activities over two years, where young people have the chance to take part in a range of activities, work in a team, experience group living and challenge themselves in a new environment. The programme is provided completely free of charge to all the young people who take part.

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