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See us on the net @ www.swindonlink.com The Link Maqazine • Februar 1999 35
Community project gets lottery cash to buy house

A £99,000 grant from the National Lotte ry is enabling West Swindon Family & Communi ty Project to take another step towards
local control.
Management of the project was handed over to the community by
NCH Action for Children in 1994. Thanks to the lottery, the project will
now be able to buy its premises, a four-bedroomed family house in
Freshbrook, from NCH.
Project Worker Allyson Cardis says, "now that the house is going to
be owned by the community it can be even more responsive to the needs
of that community." However, due to cuts in funding from Swindon
Borough Council, they are still operating on a £5,000 budget deficit.
The Family Project offers support to people in West Swindon, par-
ticularly children and families. It is open to anyone, whatever their
circumstances. Some people come for help coping with family stress,
others because they feel isolated and want to meet people. Specific
activities and courses also attract new members. So do the various
volunteering opportunities, including management committee mem-
bership, advice point work and skill sharing.
Co-ordinator Mark Thomas said, "what we are doing is a kind of
multi-disciplinary community work. We operate across the bounda-
ries of health, education and social services to help local people, both The money's in the bank. The Family Project management committee holding
individually and together, to develop skills and knowledge, make up their National Lottery cheque and plaque, front from left, Mina Bhogal,
choices and take action." Emma Clay, Allyson Cardis, Annette Carrol with Jessica, chairman Simon
To find out more about the Project, volunteer or to offer ideas for new Harlow, Ivy Armstrong, Julie Lush. Back: Sharon Bond with Liam, Pam
groups you can call in at 15 Gainsborough Way, Freshbrook, or tel- Pixton, George McGill. Not available for the photo call: project leader Mark
ephone Allyson or Mark on 871303. Thomas

NSPCC launches project in the North

Families from all social backgrounds experience problems coping with the pressures and demands of a modern society. The NSPCC
plans to help in the North Swindon areas of Penhill and Abbey Meads.
Feelings of loneliness and isola- Angela Jeffery, Family Support chance to meet new people and It is hoped provision in Abbey
tion can cause stress and unhappi- Worker, said "we will be welcom- become involved in the commu- Meads and Penhill will grow over
ness to many families. ing residents with young families nity. Its trained staff will also offer the next year to offer more for par-
Recogn'sing the potential for to drop into the centre and stay for confidential help and advice, as ents and their children.
these problems the NSPCC will as little or as long as they want to. well as offer support to people "This is a positive step to in-
run support centres on two of We will be offering and swapping having difficulties. A junior club crease the level of support avail-
Swindon's largest housing estates. information about the local area." has also begun for children aged 6 able for those experiencing prob-
to 11. This is referral based, for lems or needing information in
children who are finding it diffi- both areas," said Angela. Anyone
cult to cope and need extra sup- wishing to contact the team can do
port. so, by calling 705810.

CHIROPODIST

Advanced Reflexologist

& Kinesiologist
4 Book your appointment with
CLINIC AT HIGH STREET Martin Drew MBcHA, MSSch
^t 2
WOOTTON BASSETT CHIROPODIST
Four of the project staff outside their Penhill base, from left, Tania Busby,
administrator, Della Drury and Angela Jeffery, family support workers, For an appointment with Children's verruca surge ry open.
health visitor Chris Wallace. Not availablefor the photograph: manager Gary
Mrs Lesley Taylor All other aspects of foot care
Holmes and play worker Faith Everard
MBChA, MSSCh :MIIR, ASK catered for. t
Behind the excitement of mov- Angela has been liaising with
ing into a new home can be the fear the staff at the West Swindon Fam- Call free anytime on
of living away from friends and ily Project to help assess the poten- Call (01793) 849914 0800 731 6879
family. This can cause tension and tial needs of families new to a large Home visit service or come ,
worry. Abbey Meads is an afflu- housing development. "We would anytime to our modem town centre suroe ry
ent area but residents, especially like to be client led where appro-
thosewithyoungchildren,arestill priate; it is important that we get
affected by everyday problems, feedback on what would be help- Angela Cracknell Chiropodist
which can seem to intensify with- ful or of interest to our visitors."
out a friend to talk to. At Penhill the NSPCC has be-
Registered Nurse MSSCh MBChA '
From early March an Informa- gun a drop-in centre at the Com-
tion Exchange staffed by the munity Centre, Chippenham ^l^xct z'uitr Ly oi t^cext
NSPCC's support team will be run Close. This is open to all parents
in the temporary community cen- and carers each Monday9.30am to Telephone: 01793 613334
tre, off Elstree Way every Tuesday 11.30am. Answermachine - all calls returned Sore
from 1pm to 2.30pm. The drop-in will provide a feet?