Swindon Hub Celebrates Volunteers. Swindon Hub, the town centre’s welcoming, accessible space run by the community, for the community, is marking Volunteers’ Week (2nd–8th June). They’re celebrating the incredible efforts of its 30+ strong volunteer team.
Now in its 41st year, Volunteers’ Week is a UK-wide campaign. It recognises the powerful impact volunteers have across the country. All while encouraging more people to get involved in their communities.
Swindon Hub
Set up in 2021 and run exclusively by volunteers for its first two years, Swindon Hub has grown into a vibrant, inclusive space that’s powered by passion. From its café and bookshop to creative workshops and community support events, the dedication of volunteers shapes every corner of the Hub.
Now operating with one full time staff member and recruiting for a second, the Hub continues to put heavy reliance on its volunteers. They cover two shifts a day, five days a week. Shift leads, event organisers, baristas, IT helpers to bookshop managers. Every role plays a vital part in making Swindon Hub the community cornerstone it’s become.
For long-time volunteer and trustee Jol Rose, the spirit of the Hub lies in connection:
‘Swindon Hub is run by the community, for the community. Our team of volunteers, myself included, love coming here and connecting. We help people feel better connected – and that’s at the heart of why we do it.’
Jaclyn Randle, who is celebrating a year of volunteering, said the Hub offers her a sense of belonging:
‘I step through the doors and it feels like a second home. I have MS and ADHD, and the space here is so inclusive. I’ve never felt like I didn’t fit in. My favourite part? The kids’ play area. I love seeing them having fun, and I even like tidying up after them!’
For many volunteers, giving back has become more than a mere something to do. It’s become a way of life.
Kelly Moss, a key organiser behind the popular Tea & Chat sessions, said:
‘Even when I’m not on shift, I’m here. It’s inclusive, it’s welcoming, and every session caters for different abilities and needs. I’ve helped train other volunteers and supported events, sometimes while I’m having my lunch!’
For Zoe Grimwood, who joined after finishing a 34-year career, the impact is clear:
‘We had a woman come in one night after fleeing an abusive situation. She didn’t even know we existed until she needed us. We gave her a safe place to sit, listened, made her a cup of tea. She came back the next day to say she was safe. That meant everything. More rewarding than any paid job I’ve had.’
Younger volunteers like Freya Miles are also discovering how meaningful community work can be.
I started volunteering after my mum brought me along when I was unemployed. It’s helped my social skills and given me purpose. I help run the IT support sessions and I love it. It feels amazing to be helpful – but I’ve realised it’s actually more effective l than I thought. What we’re doing matters.’
On the lookout
Swindon Hub is always looking for new volunteers to join its growing team. Whether it’s lending a hand behind the café counter, helping to organise events, or offering a warm welcome to visitors. All volunteers receive a supportive onboarding process. That includes:
first aid training
safeguarding awareness
and basic communication skills training to help them feel confident and prepared in their role.
Swindon Recruiters Support Children’s Charity. The team at recruitment company Cotswolds Talent Solutions are putting their best feet forward. They’re stepping out to raise funds for a charity that cares for sick children.
Based in Swindon, Cotswolds Talent Solutions has picked Jessie May, the children’s hospice at home charity, to support throughout the year.
On Thursday June 12, the recruiters will set off on a 36-mile walk. They’ll go from Cotswold Talent Solutions’ office in Cheney Manor to Jessie May’s Bristol headquarters.
Starting at 7pm, they’ll walk through the night. The team hope to arrive at their destination around midday on Friday June 13.
Swindon Recruiters Support Children’s Charity – the Cotswold Talent Solutions team – l-r: Laurie Kyle, Louis Cunningham, Aaron Loftus-Baker and Leanne Greenaway.
Cotswold Talent Solutions
Cotswold Talent Solutions specialises in recruiting permanent and temporary staff for the following sectors:
Industrial
Driving
Hospitality and events
It’s run by directors Mike Eardley and Aaron Loftus-Baker.
‘This is the first charity event we’ve done, so we thought we’d start with a real challenge,’ Aaron said.
Choosing Jessie May to support as our first charity partner of the year was an easy decision. We wanted to help a local organisation, and Jessie May covers the Swindon area. The majority of our team are parents. So we also liked the idea of fundraising for a charity that helps children. And Jessie May does such amazing work supporting families through what is such a difficult time.’
Taking part alongside Mike, Aaron and the team will be Laurie Kyle. Laura runs creative agency Giddy Octopus and looks after Cotswold Talent Solutions’ marketing.
Laurie said: ‘Cotswold Talent Solutions were my first client when I set up my business. So I wanted to join in this walk as a way of saying thank you, and helping a fantastic charity at the same time. Plus, I wanted to do something to challenge myself this year and I am looking forward to it.’
Although this will be their first fundraising event, Cotswold Talent Solutions have already started supporting Jessie May. Recently, they funded the purchase of several journals, used by bereaved parents at a journalling workshop.
Emma Carter, Head of Fundraising and Communications at Jessie May, said: ‘We’re so grateful for the support from Cotswold Talent Solutions and Giddy Octopus for taking on such a significant challenge to raise awareness and vital funds for our work.
The funds raised through this challenge will go straigt to helping us continue providing specialist nursing care to children with life-limiting conditions. And, of course, their families. We’re proud to support them every step of the way and can’t wait to cheer them on throughout their journey!’
Jessie May
Jessie May runs a specialist nursing support service delivered to children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions in their own homes. This means their families can have respite from caring. And siblings can have some quality time with their mum or dad, while the ill child has safe access to activities they can enjoy with a nurse they know and trust. All while having all the care they need.
New Chair for Swindon Charity. Swindon’s Big Breakfast Plus, provider of cooked breakfasts for homeless and hungry people in the town, has a new chair of trustees. James Puttick, who first joined the charity as a volunteer, has taken over the reins from long-standing chair Charlotte Mannion.
Charlotte, who oversaw the reopening of Big Breakfast Plus following the pandemic, has been instrumental in developing the charity. It’s now open seven days a week at the Pilgrim Centre, and often caters for more than 100 guests a day.
James said: ‘I began volunteering after Covid, when the charity reopened. I saw a Facebook post from a friend of mine, who was also volunteering. I’ve lived in Swindon all my life and wanted to be more involved in the local community. On that first day, we had five volunteers and three guests, because word hadn’t got around that we were up and running again.’
ames, from Swindon, who works in business development for a financial services organisation, soon stepped up to become a trustee and has now taken on the role of chair.
New Chair for Swindon Charity – Charlotte Mannion and James Puttick
‘Charlotte didn’t want to carry on indefinitely, so we did some succession planning. We’ve now appointed a full-time charity manager, to take over much of the work Charlotte was doing. And I can focus on the trustee role. Plus, we have appointed two new trustees.
Charlotte, who will stay on as a trustee, added: ‘I have every confidence in James and the board of trustees, who are now in a strong place. There are exciting things to come for Big Breakfast Plus, whose services the community needs now more than ever.’
PR Expert at London Expo. Public relations expert, journalist and sought-after presenter Fiona Scott is taking to the stage next month. She’ll be delivering a keynote speech at the London Expo.
Fiona, Managing Director of Swindon-based Scott Media, will talk about:
the art of storytelling in PR
and her entrepreneurial journey …
… at the London Expo in Windsor on Thursday, June 12.
PR Expert at London Expo -Fiona Scott of Scott Media
Event organisers
The Great British Expos are the event organisers. They’re a leading business networking and educational opportunity for small business owners and entrepreneurs.
The Great British Expos are the event organisers. They’re a leading business networking and educational opportunity for small business owners and entrepreneurs.
Fiona, who runs her own platform for speakers – Scott Media Speakers – is passionate about inspiring SME owners to make PR central to their marketing activity.
‘It’s a privilege, getting asked to present at the London Expo’ said Fiona. ‘I’m looking forward to the opportunity to share my journey as a business owner. Along with how I’ve used PR in my business and how we deploy storytelling to enhance the profile and reputation of our Scott Media clients.’
Fiona has written a book on her experiences as a business owner. Entitled the Hard Yards, it details her journey in the first ten years of running her own business. Her second – Tales of a Backwater Journalist – is coming at the end of the year.
I’ve been in journalism now for over 38 years. A lot has happened, a lot has changed, and I’ve enjoyed getting some of my stories into print. And print, is where I started off in newspapers!’
Fiona’s presentation, called ‘The Art of Storytelling: The Entrepreneurial Journey’, will be at 10.15am.
Not only but also
Also presenting at the London Expo will be Swindon-based Rob Curtis. Rob is a digital marketer and founder of The Pursuit Agency and a member of Scott Media Speakers platform. His presentation will be on ‘Scaling for Success’.
Buckhurst Sport’s Pavilion Renovated. With great pleasure, South Swindon Parish Council announces he successful completion of the Buckhurst sports pavilion renovation . This renovation forms part of the Buckhust field improvement plan.
Buckhurst Sport’s Pavilion Renovated – waving the golden scissors aloft are Heidi Alexander MP and Paul Wainwrigt with Deputy Mayor Neil Hopkins
The work
The former changing rooms have undergone remodelling. They now better suit the requirements of junior sports and community needs.
Modernisation of the facilities has seen the introduction of a kitchen area and social space. Together, they’ll provide junior football club, Swindon Robins FC, with a brand-new clubhouse. South Swindon parish council are also using part of the building as an extra depot for council services staff. The building boasts brand new solar panels which it’s hoped will provide enough energy for the building.
Swindon Borough Council and South Swindon Parish Council between them have funded the renovation at a total cost of £180,000. Of that, £82,000 came from the Oakfield Community Fund and Swindon Borough Council and the rest from South Swindon Parish Council.
This is one of many projects South Swindon Parish Council has undertaken as part of the ambitious Buckhurst Field Improvement Plan. It follows the official opening of the Buckhurst Skatepark completed in May 2025.
Buckhurst Youth Fest was the first youth festival organised by South Swindon Parish Council on Buckhurst field, featuring arts, creativity and sport activities aimed at young people.
What they said
Paul Wainwright, Chair of Swindon Robins FC said:
‘We’re delighted to have this partnership with South Swindon Parish Council, and I’m so looking forward to a new chapter for Robins FC. We’re proud to be in Walcot. And we hope Walcot will be proud of the Robins. We look forward to making a difference in the community as much as we can.’
Cllr Neil Hopkins, Chair of South Swindon Parish Council said:
‘We’re proud to be investing in more facilities for young people. Robins FC is a fantastic club, who aim to work closely with the local community. The neighbours have been very positive. And we hope that the new pavilion, along with the various other Buckhurst Field improvements, will create even more opportunities for local children and families to get involved in football and sport.’
And Cllr Emma Bushnell, deputy leader of the Council posited:
‘The sports pavilion is a great example of partnership working between Swindon Borough Council and South Swindon Parish Council. The pavilion is looking amazing. And I’m glad that the Robins now have a home at Buckhurst. It’s great to hear about their plans to further engage with the local community.’
For more information about the Parish Council and their initiatives, please visit www.southswindon-pc.gov.uk
