Charities

Swindon Foodbank provides emergency food parcels to people in crisis or emergency need. Our food boxes provide meals for 3 days however, some people are prudent enough to make their boxes last 5 days and so this figure increases with their ability to make the contents go further. I am often left feeling humbled by the stories that our beneficiaries relay to us about what has brought them to the Foodbank. Many are marginalised and disadvantaged by poverty, working and only “just about managing” or there has been a sudden change in their circumstances. Often the crisis is due to welfare benefit delays which includes the working tax benefit, bereavement, changing jobs or exceptional situations such as moving to a new home where a deposit and rent in advance is required and difficult choices have to be made about what to spend their money on; in winter the choice is often between food or fuel. One of our boxes helps people in these times of crises. We are lucky to have over 50 volunteers who donate over 10,000 valuable hours each year and help at the warehouse, driving the vans and at our 7 distribution centres which are open 11 times a week. Last year (Jan-Dec 2016) we were able to assist 2,879 adults and 1,740 children through the distribution of over 46 tonnes of food which was generously donated by local people, schools, churches and businesses. These donations gave the equivalent of 131,428 meals to those in need. Our overall contribution to social welfare not only includes the provision of food to sustain children at school, families to eat nutritionally and extend their budget but also to gain access to listening and support, money guidance and signposting to legal advice by our staff and volunteers at the distribution centres.

Swings & Smiles is a place to play for children with special needs and their families. It offers a unique environment where the whole family feels supported and where they can spend quality time together. Our services include play sessions, sibling support and outreach. Swings & Smiles provides activities for children and young people aged 0-19 years old with a wide range of disabilities and special needs to be able to enjoy playing together without the pressures often experienced in wider community settings. We support the whole family including parents, carers, the child with special needs, brothers, sisters and grandparents. Our support is hugely varied and depends on the needs of the family, we will tailor support to individual need. Swings & Smiles also welcomes adults with disabilities who may benefit from this type of environment and visits from community groups and respite providers. We offer a variety of different sessions, for more information please visit our website.

A tree and forestry charity aiming to advance sustainable forest management. Sylva runs various projects under three programs covering science, education and science.

Education Loans: Sympathy offers interest-free loans to students for their studies and short courses, they are not required to pay them back. It is up to the student whether they choose to assist another person in obtaining an education or repay Sympathy to assist another person in obtaining an education in the future. Donation to Deserving Candidate: When parents need to pay for their children, sympathy receives cases in which we ask them to complete the application. We go to their homes, take some photos, and then email the images to our donors. We ask donors whether they are willing to aid that student and then pay their fees after attaching the application form, their fee voucher, images of their homes, and the student’s test results. We collaborate with the school on the progress of the student every six months. If they require tuition, we also cover it; if they are excelling academically, we also shift their schools so they can receive the best advice and guidance.

Tamba (Twins and Multiple Births Association) is a national charity that provides high quality information and mutual support networks for families of twins, triplets and more, highlighting their unique needs to all involved in their care.

We empower the poorest communities in Tanzania on a village-level. We are all volunteers and pair local Tanzanian representatives with UK-based project officers to support rural development and transform lives through various projects in our key priorities of access to water, girls' education and income generation to enable people to lift themselves out of extreme poverty.