Swindon community projects receive £105,000 boost from social value funding
Initiatives aim to improve youth opportunities and enhance community spaces
A range of community initiatives in Swindon are set for a significant financial boost as Swindon Borough Council applies social value weighting in its purchasing policies. Through a contract with Travis Perkins, £105,000 will be allocated to six projects across the area, focusing on youth opportunities, community wellbeing, and environmental enhancements.
The funding supports the Council’s commitment to creating a better, fairer, and greener Swindon and includes projects such as a woodland heritage initiative, a new café offering employment and training for young people, and a youth club for children under the care of the Council.
The initiatives include training and support activities targeting anti-social behaviour, with Young Swindon and Wiltshire collaborating on projects such as a mural and a café at the Central Hub that will provide barista and catering training for young people.
A new youth club is set to open at The Base youth centre in Park North, catering specifically to children cared for by the Council and running weekly sessions.
Funding will also be allocated to a woodland heritage project at Lydiard Park, supported by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and the Great Western Community Forest, as well as to the creation of a community kitchen at the historic Cricketers building in the Railway Village for use by schools and local groups.
Additionally, Swindon’s communities will engage with the Museum & Art Swindon’s art collection through wellbeing workshops, school visits, and exhibitions, while bike repair kits will be bought and installed across 20 locations at community hubs and libraries. Some locations will also host bike maintenance workshops.
Travis Perkins, which provides building materials and other services for Council departments, has previously funded new benches and shelters at Moredon Sporting Hub. Jason Smith, Travis Perkins Managed Services Account Manager, spoke to their commitment:
“At the heart of every partnership is our goal to build better, fairer, and greener communities. These projects reflect our dedication to serving the community and ensuring that our social value efforts have a real positive impact.”
Councillor Emma Bushell, Deputy Leader of Swindon Borough Council, praised the funding’s potential for bolstering local initiatives:
“This is exactly what social value is all about. These projects will give young people positive opportunities, improve wellbeing, support greener spaces and enhance facilities that residents use every day.”
The collaboration between Swindon Borough Council and Travis Perkins Managed Services promises to leave a lasting legacy in the local community, fostering safe spaces for growth, learning, and belonging.