Para-Badminton Player Show Speaker. The revitalised care show taking place in January 2026, in Swindon Wiltshire, has announced Para-badminton player David Follett as their guest speaker.
The Care Show Swindon is the South West’s Premier Health & Social Care Expo. It’s where care industry professionals, suppliers, and service providers gather to share their insights and expertise. This all-day event brings information and knowledge to businesses and members of the public.
2025 debut
The Care Show debuted as an event in 2025 and saw massive attendance. With co-owners, Hannah Edwards and Kevin Griffiths at the helm, The Care Show comes back for its second event in the new year.
When we announced we would be back for a second year, we wanted to make sure we came back with a bang,’ said Hannah Edwards, co-owner of The Care Show. ‘We’re very excited to have David join us at The Care Show Swindon. His story is inspiring and we’re looking forward to him sharing his story on how he became a Paralympian.’
David Follet
David Follett is para-badminton player for England. In his category, David ranks number 16 in the world and number 1 in England. He’s been playing para-badminton for ten years. Further, he’s competed in three world championships:
Guatemala 2011
Dortmund 2013
Stoke Mandeville 2015.
He’s competed in a range of national and international competitions and continues to play for his country.
Para-Badminton Player Care Show Speaker – David Follet
In April 2007, David suffered a road traffic accident leaving him with a spinal cord injury and paralysis from the chest down. After intensive rehabilitation at Salisbury Spinal Unit, David returned home to Exeter and kickstarted his para-badminton career.
‘Life after injury has taught me resilience, adaptability, and above all, the importance of mindset. I’m genuinely excited to attend The Care Show. Not only to share my experiences, but also to connect with others who understand the value of care, support, and community.’
This is the first time David will be a guest speaker for The Care Show. He’ll talk about his journey, from the accident that changed his life to rehabilitation and living with a spinal cord injury to his achievements in badminton and beyond.
‘I’ve been speaking at events for over fifteen years, and in that time, I’ve learned that sharing lived experience can make a real difference. I hope people listening at The Care Show will gain a deeper understanding of spinal cord injuries and the realities of navigating life afterwards,’ continued David. ‘If even one person leaves feeling a little more hopeful or motivated, then I’ll consider it a success.’
I’m an open person and I welcome any questions, whether during my session or afterwards. Conversations like these are what bring us together and help us all learn from one another.’
The Care Show Swindon takes place on Thursday 29th January 2026 at The DoubleTree by Hilton.
Christmas Gifts for Ukraine Children. As Christmas decorations appear across Swindon, the Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership (SHAP) plans to bring some festive joy to children in the worst-hit areas of Ukraine.
SHAP are collecting new or nearly-new toys, games, craft kits, crayons, stationery, and wrapping paper. They’ll then ensure the donations get gift-wrapped and given to orphanages and communities. There, SHAP’s local contacts ensure they’ll get the warmest of receptions.
Swindon may not be able to stop the war. But together we can help to brighten a Ukrainian child’s Christmas.
Christmas Gifts for Ukraine Children
Donation points
The Community Centre @ Christ Church, Cricklade Street, Old Town, Swindon SN1 3HB
The Ellendune Community Centre, Barrett Way, Wroughton SN4 9LW
Christmas wrapping
From the end of October, SHAP are holding wrapping events open to anyone on the first three Saturdays of the November to help with wrapping the gifts. So if you’re a cut-above with a pair of scissors and a roll of Sellotape I’m sure they’d be delighted to hear from you.
About SHAP
The Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership (SHAP) is a non-governmental organization (NGO). It formed in the days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Their board comprises British and Ukrainian nationals and with a dedicated team of volunteers. The organization remains determined to support Ukraine and Ukrainians to the best of their ability.
Volunteers undertake all this work – SHAP don’t pay wages or salaries to anyone.
At LAST! I’ve managed to bring to fruition my Swindon in 50 More Buildings project – begun on the blog before the pandemic. This is much to my huge relief I have to say – so I’m now greatly excited to be getting it launched!
This sequel to Swindon in 50 Buildings fills in lots of gaps. I had to leave out of the original book a good number or railway-related buildings – so I’ve addressed that. And this time of course, I’ve included The Oasis and the Motorola buildings. I wanted to get both of those into the first book but had difficult choices to make – so it feels good to have got them covered now. Then I also couldn’t go into the wider borough so I’ve made the effort to do that and included buildings in Wroughton and Highworth.
The back cover of Swindon in 50 More Buildings by Angela Atkinson
Free Festive Activities in Town Gardens. Following four years of the Enchanted Gardens Light Trail in the Town Gardens, South Swindon Parish Council has decided to deliver something different for 2025. Thus the focus, this year, is on developing a free-to-access series of activities in the Town Gardens.
The events will take place on:
The weekends of 13th and 14th December
And also the 20th and 21st December 2025
Taking place between 12pm and 4pm the events will feature a range of activities including:
Special character visits
Children’s crafts
Music on the iconic Town Gardens Bandstand and much more.
Free Festive Activities in Town Gardens
Celebrating diversity
To celebrate Swindon’s diversity, SSPC is working alongside organisations such as the Swindon Hindu Centre and Rhythmix Goa. But they’ll announce more soon about who’ll be entertaining visitors on 13th and 14th December.
Young performers from Apollo Performing Arts and Revolution Performing Arts will fill the weekend before Christmas with festive joy. They’ll take to the stage on Saturday afternoon. Further, a series of brass and silver bands will entertain crowds between 12pm and 4pm on Sunday.
Plans in the making and a chance to have your say
There are still many more exciting plans in the making for these dates. So make sure you mark your calendars and follow South Swindon Parish Council on Facebook and Instagram. That way you’ll be the first to hear further details over the next few weeks.
The events team are now focusing on developing new, community-led plans for South Swindon’s offering in 2026. Thus SSPC is seeking responses from both past visitors to the Enchanted Gardens Light Trail and those who’ve never attended.
The Parish Council is keen to make sure that its programme of events reflect the communities it represents. And that they tailor it to suit the needs of its residents.
Cllr John Firmin, Vice-Chair of South Swindon Parish Council’s Leisure, Environment and Amenities Committee and Chair of the Events Working Party said:
‘I look forward to the great range of community groups we have in Swindon having the chance to perform in Town Gardens during December. Look out for more information on our other activities and offerings in the Town Gardens this Christmas. Announcements will come over the next few weeks.
So this little post is to flag up a rather lovely initiative: chat ‘n’ chew sessions for veterans in the Fika coffee shop on Havelock Square in Swindon town centre. I think this is just so … nice.
Martin, the proprietor of Fika is himself a veteran. And he’s created this lovely veterans’ corner in the coffee shop.
A cosy space where great coffee, fine wine, and meaningful moments come together. Inspired by the Swedish tradition of “fika”—a cherished coffee break shared with friends. It’s a place where people can slow down, savour quality drinks, and enjoy good company.
I can’t think of anywhere better for the veterans to get together for their pow-wow. It’s more than handy too that Fika is fully accessible. It’s straight in off the street, is all on one level and has an accessible toilet.
Further, and of equal importance IMHO, the coffee is great and Martin often has some rather delicious Swedish cinnamon buns. I’m rather too fond of them TBH!
