Therapy Horses at Care Show. SWINDON–based The Care Show, taking place in January, announces therapy horses as their mascots for their 2026 event.
The Care Show Swindon is one of the South West’s premier health and social care expo events. Care industry professionals, suppliers, and service providers gather to share their insights and expertise. The show brings information and knowledge to businesses and members of the public.
2025 Debut
The Care Show debuted in 2025. It achieved immediate success by welcoming a large attendance from both service providers and the public from across the region. Co-owners, Hannah Edwards and Kevin Griffiths are now welcoming the Care Show for its second event, in the new year.
They have also now revealed their collaboration with Happy Hooves Equine Ltd as therapy horses become their 2026 mascot.
‘We’re thrilled to announce Happy Hooves Equine Ltd as our mascots for The Care Show,’ said Hannah Edwards. ‘Knowing the power of therapy animals, we reached out to Laura who runs the company. With this collaboration, we’re able to showcase the brilliant use of different animals as therapy friends for people in hospitals and care homes.’
Therapy Horses at Care Show Hannah Edwards, a small horse, Kevin Griffiths and a representative from Happy Hooves Equine Ltd
On the hoof
Happy Hooves Equine Ltd, led by Laura Stewart, are a Wiltshire based equine assisted therapy and support business. They provide gentle therapy horses, providing specialist therapeutic visits to:
care homes
schools
nurseries, and special educational needs (SEN) settings.
‘Everyone the horses meet leave with a big smile on their face. We haven’t been a mascot before. But my horses love the limelight and can definitely rise to the challenge,’ said Laura. ‘Every day I see the uplifting power of equine therapy and the impact it has on senior people’s lives. I can’t wait to share this with The Care Show and all their attendees.’
Their horses attending The Care Show 2026 are trained to provide comfort, confidence, and companionship. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet two of the three British miniature horses and learn about specialised animal therapy.
‘We were very excited when Laura said yes to working with us. And we know our venue is very keen to welcome them too!’ commented Hannah. ‘This is going to be a unique and interesting experience for those at The Care Show. And we can’t wait to roll out our red carpet for our special mascots.’
The care show
The Care Show Swindon takes place on Thursday 29th January 2026 at The DoubleTree by Hilton. To book your attendance, visit: https://www.thecareshow.co.uk/
Laura started the company after working in the senior living sector for a decade. Her experience led her to see that people can lose their interactions with animals and beloved pets because of their setting.
Supermarine Road South Marston, SN3. Why am I writing about a road? It’s a good and fair question. Well, having this year, at long last (long story) got Swindon in 50 More Buildings finished and out into the wild, I’d had every intention of stopping there. But it wasn’t to be. Earlier this year I got an email from Amberley Books saying they were starting a new series XXXX in 25 Streets and would I be interested in writing Swindon in 25 Streets? Cutting short a long story, my project for 2026 is to write that very thing. Hence my interest in streets and roads!
Coming back from somewhere with someone (can’t now recall who or what) I noticed we were on Supermarine Road. And the thought occurred that it could be a candidate for the new project. But of course it can’t. As with Swindon in 50 Buildings the publisher’s brief prevents me foraying into the wider borough. And Supermarine Road lies in the wider borough. But, not wanting to waste the idea, here I am.
So why this road?
Answering that brings me back to the remit of the forthcoming-much-later-this-year book. So the streets I’m selecting don’t necessarily have to be interesting in and of themselves. Though some of them will be for sure. No, I’m selecting some streets based on their connections – why they’re so named for instance. Thus I’ll include Fleming Way for, amongst other things, its very name, given for Harold Fleming the footballer.
Statue of Harold Fleming the Swindon footballer at Swindon town football club.
And it’s for connections that I figured Supermarine Road South Marston merited attention. Now I daresay many of you are well aware of the whole Supermarine Spitfire thing. But it’s only in relatively recent times (2014) that I’ve come to that party. I mean, I was aware of the Supermarine sport’s club etc, etc – but had no idea why they were so called. So here we are.
In simple terms then, the historical significance of this highway is that it once housed a Vickers-Armstrong shadow factory. Between 1941 and 1944/5 it produced WWII Spitfire and Seafire aircraft.
Post war it became a manufacturing site for such jets as Scimitar and also Concorde components. Then later it housed the Honda plant.
The wartime production – 1941-1944/5
Due to the bombing of the main Southampton facility in 1940 the Supermarine company moved to a shadow site in South Marston. The factory made over 100 Mark 21 Spitfires and around 50 Seafires for the Royal Navy.
They tested the aircraft on a runway close by. In later years that became the Honda test track.
Post-war and industry
In 1945, Vickers-Armstrong took over the airfield and factory and became the Supermarine Division. In that form, they continued to make and repair planes into the 1950s. The site made Attacker and Scimitar jets – with the last aircraft being completed in 1961. They later they made Concorde components.
Then, as mentioned above, the site found itself sold to Honda UK in the 1980s.
Model spitfire and signage at South MarstonIs this still in situ? Does anyone know?
Well, aside from planes and cars we have sport! The period after the war saw the establishment of the Vickers Sports and Social Club for the benefit of the staff. The club secured its long-term home on Supermarine Road in 1988. Find out more about their history here: https://www.supermarinesportsclub.co.uk/club-history
Not forgetting of course, the Swindon Supermarine FC. This club formed in 1992 following a merger of Supermarine FC and Swindon Athletic FC.
CHRISTMAS GOT MORE COLOURFUL as CHILDREN’S ART CLUB CELEBRATES WINTER IN STYLE.
A SWINDON-BASED art club is celebrating a packed winter programme. It comprises artistic and creative opportunities for local children to thrive.
Artist and mum, Rachel Bray founded the Let’s Create Art Club in 2020. The club environment allows children to explore painting, drawing, sculpture and design in a safe, fun, and pressure-free environment. It takes place in after-school sessions, Saturday morning art clubs and holiday art camps. Children aged from four to twelve are eligible.
CHRISTMAS GOT MORE COLOURFUL – Rachel Bray with group working
Winter 2025
Winter 2025 has been no different. Their fully-booked Christmas art camp, held on the 22nd and 23rd December, welcomed many children at Tregoze Primary School in West Swindon.
Running Art Camp is one of my favourite things to do at Let’s Create. As an artist and mum, I know first-hand how powerful and important creativity can be for a child. It raises their confidence, resilience and well-being,’ said Rachel Bray.
Rachel, born and raised in Swindon, started the club after seeing how easy it was to sideline art in busy family life. That and the fact that sports clubs dominate the after school club industry.
Art camp at Christmas is extra special because we can channel all the joy and excitement that the children arrive with into their artwork, festive creations and arty games! It’s a chance for them to make something meaningful with their hands. And parents get to have heartfelt, handmade keepsakes to treasure.’
The two-day camp consisted of Christmassy art activities, games, and outdoor play. And free creative time for children to explore artistic avenues during the Christmas period.
Families went home with several keepsakes and pictures to honour the festive season and welcome in the new year.
What art club offers
‘Art camp gives children the time, space and support to express themselves. And explore ideas without any pressure on the outcome and make new friends,’ commented Rachel. ‘I’m privileged to be able to help children have fun with art and to create great childhood memories. Just like I experienced growing up.’
Let’s Create Art Club is a member of the Institute of Children’s Activity Providers (ICAP). Thus parents get assurance that the club meets high standards for safety, inclusion and engagement. They celebrated being finalists at the ICAP Awards 2025, in their ‘Rising Star – Outstanding achievement in Growth and Visions for the Future’ category.
Let’s Create Art Club have opened their books for the new year. To secure a place at one of their 13 afterschool clubs in Term 3, visit: https://www.letscreateartclub.co.uk/bookings.
Group of youngsters busy at the Let’s Create Art ClubThree girls working at the Let’s create art club in Swindon
Accountants make a Santa Splash. Entrepreneur and partner at accountancy firm PPS took a freezing swim to raise money for a veterans’ charity this Christmas.
Sally Holland, Partner at Swindon based PPS Chartered Accountants, participated in an icy winter swim. Her aim being to raise funds for military charity, Combat Stress, as one of her last charitable acts of 2025.
The ‘Santa Splash’ event took place at Bowmoor Sailing Club. The Lechlade Lions organized it to raise funds for Combat Stress’s fundraising effort called Healing Military Minds.
Accountants make a Santa Splash – Kirk Holland and Sally Holland alongside other participants at the Santa Splash.
Combat Stress
Combat Stress is the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health. They support former service people dealing with issues around:
trauma
anxiety
depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Sally and her husband, Kirk, participated on behalf of PSS Chartered Accountants with other professionals from the business networking group, Business Connect.
‘I found out about the Santa Splash in November and had to get involved,’ said Sally. ‘I’m an active person so thought I’d end the year with a challenge and all for a great cause.’
Braving a below zero swim isn’t the only charitable endeavour Sally has led in 2025. In June, Sally took part in a 50km ultramarathon to raise over £1,000 for Wiltshire Treehouse.
I’ve completed multiple charity events this year and I’ve raised money for a variety of local charities. I do it because I want to support my community and to prove to myself that I can do anything I set my mind to,’ continued Sally.
‘Our work to raise funds for local charities is something we’re always excited and committed to,’ commented Sally.
‘As PPS, we’ve held many events this year. We hope this is only the beginning of raising funds for a multitude of charities across our local area. To reflect on this year is fantastic, but I can’t wait to look to the future and how much support we can provide in 2026.’
PPS Chartered Accountants, based in Swindon, works with individuals and businesses across Wiltshire and beyond. They provide expert advice in accountancy, tax and business planning. The firm is committed to supporting the local community alongside offering practical, tailored financial guidance to help clients achieve their goals. For more information visit: https://www.ppsacc.co.uk/
Mindset Coach 2025 Reflections. As the year comes to an end, Swindon mindset coach John Lewis is taking stock of the personal and professional challenges he’s helped people face through 2025. He works with a wide range of clients – from people trying to feel more confident in their day-to-day lives to international athletes preparing for high-pressure competitions. Despite the variety, the same themes kept coming up across this year.
John said many people arrived feeling stuck, unsure of their direction or battling long periods of low confidence. Others wanted help breaking old habits, dealing with stress or feeling more in control at work. He also spent a lot of time supporting people through:
team issues
relationship strain …
… and the nerves that come with stepping into public-facing roles.
‘I’ve seen that people are far more open to working on their mindset now,’ John said. ‘Coaching isn’t seen as a last resort anymore. It’s something people choose because they want to feel better and move forward. I still meet old clients in the supermarket who tell me they’re using the same tools we worked on years ago. It’s great to hear that.’
Mindset Coach 2025 Reflections – John Lewis
Standout breakthroughs
Some of the breakthroughs from the past year have stood out to John. One client, terrified of public speaking, delivered a panel talk at Amazon in front of 200 people. Another client, an international athlete, became a world champion after learning how to recover fast from mistakes and stay focused in the moment.
John, who lives in Highworth, has also supported businesses this year with workplace wellbeing and team performance. One company, OneBot, said his coaching had made a noticeable difference to its team.
‘John’s life coaching sessions have made a noticeable difference for our employees,’ said Rachael Male, operations manager at OneBot.
‘His supportive and practical approach has helped team members improve confidence, manage stress and communicate better. We’ve seen positive changes in both personal wellbeing and workplace performance. And John soon became a valued part of our benefits package. Our employees so appreciate having access to his guidance.’
John also brought back his Mistermind event this year, which he ran to coincide with International Men’s Day. He created it as a male-only space because many men struggle to speak with openess about stress, confidence and the pressure they carry. One attendee described the day as “truly outstanding”. They said they left feeling inspired and ready to make positive changes on both personal and professional levels.
Looking forward
Looking towards 2026, John said people should keep things simple. ‘Have big goals, but start small,’ he said. ‘The tiny improvements you make each day matter more than the dramatic changes people put pressure on themselves to achieve. Learn from what goes wrong, keep doing what goes right and give things time. Nothing worth having happens overnight.’
He also wants people to make their wellbeing a priority as the new year begins. “Be kinder to yourself,” he said. “Take breaks when you need them. Distance yourself from the noise and the comparison. Look after yourself well. Choose with care who you listen to and give yourself space to grow. Those are the things that will make the biggest difference in 2026.’
John will continue working with individuals, teams and athletes into the new year. He’ll help them build confidence, approach stress in a different way and work on the areas that matter most to them.
