Council thanks local heroes during Volunteers’ Week
Volunteers across Swindon have been recognised at a special celebration event held as part of Volunteers’ Week (1–7 June).
Published: Thursday, 5th June 2025
Hosted by Swindon Borough Council at Baristocats Café on Tuesday (3 June), the event brought together volunteers from a wide range of council-supported projects to celebrate their contributions to the local community.
Mayor of Swindon, Councillor Fay Howard, who is also a Live Well Local Heroes volunteer, attended to pass on her thanks to everyone across Swindon who give their time, skills and energy to support others.
The Council’s Live Well team and other Council-run projects are supported by more than 400 volunteers across the Borough. The volunteers are responsible for providing a range of support including mentoring young people and supporting new parents, delivering food parcels, knitting warm clothing and offering people lifts to hospital appointments.
The event celebrated volunteers across the Borough, including Phillipa, who has been volunteering for eight years. Phillipa is a befriender with Swindon Circles, a service that matches volunteers with older or isolated residents for regular chats, walks or catch-ups, helping to tackle loneliness and build friendships.
Phillippa also contributes to Live Well Knit Well, where volunteers create hand-knitted items for people in need, including blankets, hats and comforters. During the pandemic, she sewed reusable face masks for key workers and continues to make draught excluders to help residents keep their homes warm in colder months. Once a month, she also lends a hand with admin tasks at the Council offices.
Phillippa said: “When I retired, I still wanted to keep busy and give something back. I really enjoy volunteering with Live Well Swindon. I love the feel-good factor it gives me.”
Councillor Jim Grant, the Council’s Cabinet Member for People and Communities, who visited volunteers at the community radio station Swindon 105.5 during Volunteers’ Week and interviewed some of the volunteers himself, said: “Volunteers’ Week gives us a chance to recognise the people behind the scenes who quietly get on with helping others.
“Swindon’s volunteers bring compassion and creativity to everything they do, and their impact can’t be overstated. We’re proud to sing all their praises, as every action they take is helping us to build a fairer Swindon.”
Councillor Fay Howard, Mayor of Swindon, said: “I’m so proud to have honoured local volunteers at the Council’s special celebration event.
“Volunteers across the Borough, both those working with the Council and at our local partner and charity organisations, make a real difference every day to the lives of local people and it’s important we recognise the valuable contribution they make across our local community.”
To find out more about volunteering in Swindon, email volunteer@swindon.gov.uk.