There is a joint initiative between the Money Saving Expert and the Open University (OU) for anyone who may want to dedicate some time to improve their financial knowledge. You can complete as many sessions as you like, each one will take about two hours with a mix of info, exercises, explanatory videos from Martin… read more
A message about Post Office access to cash services for Financial Institutions and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Post Office card account (POca) customers Accelerated POca Nominated Agent Service An accelerated, telephone-based, nominated agent process for POca customers who are not able to leave home is now open and taking applications. This new service allows… read more
Local residents are being reminded to be more fire safe in the home, more than half of accidental fires in are due to cooking. Group Manager Glyn Moody said: ”Wherever possible, we carry out Safe & Well visits following fires in the home, which include fitting smoke alarms and advising the occupants on how best to… read more
Please follow the link for some great ideas for activities to do at home to celebrate VE Day on 8th May. VE Day Ideas
Please view or download the dementia friendly newsletter for April 2020. It contains information about how to get help and support, as well as resources and activities for people living with dementia, carers and care workers. View or download dementia friendly newsletter (pdf)
The vast majority of children due to start primary school in September have today (16 April) been offered a place at their first choice school. This year Swindon Borough Council’s School Admissions team have been able to offer 95 per cent of pupils in Swindon their first choice primary school, while 99 per cent will… read more
What do firefighters do? Educate and Inspire DWFRS firefighters engage, educate and inspire your children to be safe and well; and will continue to do so in the safety of your homes during this period of Covid-19. For those of you with children at home, we know things will be tough sometimes trying to care… read more
Preparations could soon be underway to bring Swindon’s historic Mechanics’ Institute into public ownership. If approval is given at next week’s Cabinet meeting (Wed, 25 March), officers at Swindon Borough Council could begin to make the preparations that are necessary to allow the authority to make a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO), which could secure the… read more
From 20 March, homes and businesses in the Borough will have a new legal right to a request a decent and affordable broadband service under the new Universal Service Obligation (USO) for broadband. This was legislated for in 2017 as a service that has at least 10 Mbps download speed and 1 Mbps upload. BT… read more
From Swindon Borough Council: Swindon businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality industry who are eligible for the Government’s 12-month business rate holiday will see it reflected in their bills from next month. Swindon Borough Council will be administering the financial help to all firms who qualify following a package of support announced by the… read more
We have received the following from Twinkl:
We are always so very grateful for any donations that are brought to the centre, especially of newspapers during the winter months (at the moment over 210 hedgehogs are being cared for!), cat and dog food (no fish!) and of course money or online donations which all go a long way in supporting our work… read more
I am a Citizens Advice Volunteer – that’s my secret superpower ”The best thing about volunteering at Citizens Advice is being able to help people, who through bad luck, lack of knowledge or confidence issues, really need our help. It’s an honour and a privilege to be given an opportunity to do that.” Citizens Advice… read more
Ninety-eight per cent of two year olds in Swindon who are entitled to early education have received it thanks to the Council’s Early Years team. In Swindon, there are approximately 750 children aged two who are entitled to 15 hours per week of early education and childcare from the term after their second birthday. Nationally,… read more
A package of measures has been put in place to support workers affected by the closure of Swindon’s Honda factory in July next year. Almost a year after the Japanese carmaker announced it would be closing its South Marston base, a co-ordinated programme of welfare support is established with Honda itself leading the way to… read more
Over the years it’s easy to lose track of different pensions, especially if you’ve changed jobs, moved house, or if pension companies merge or change name. Pension Tracing Service is free and can help you trace a pension that you’ve lost track of, even if you don’t have the contact details of the provider. Visit… read more
The new year brings the first of your monthly newsletters for 2020, and this month’s is jam packed full of money saving offers, local events, new years resolutions, and so much more – so you can start your new year off right! Looking to get fit for summer and shed some festive pounds? Well, you’re… read more
Ensure you have working smoke alarms installed on all levels of your home. Working alarms can give you the vital time needed to escape in a fire. Test your smoke alarms regularly and never remove batteries! Never leave cooking unattended. The majority of fires start in the kitchen so this is a high-risk area. Many… read more
The annual search for Swindon’s unsung heroes has begun following the launch of the latest Pride of Swindon Awards. The awards, now in their 12th year, recognise and celebrate the many selfless people in Swindon who go above and beyond to help their local communities. People are encouraged to nominate someone they think deserves an… read more
Swindon has over seven miles of cycle routes providing a traffic-free solution to get to the Town Centre. Each cycle route has wide paths, street lighting and some routes even have CCTV.