Page 3 - link magazine

The Link Magazine - March 2004 3
Saved! More by luck than judgement Charles Lucas
The West Swindon Family and Community Project was one of three family centres in the town targetted for i P RI V A T E & Marshall
cut backs by Swindon Council in its attempt to keep council tax down. Although it has been saved for this i
year. project manager Alyson Cardis explains why West Swindon families need a place independent of the • •
council run Social Services Department. •.
There is a perception that West
Swindon is an affluent area, popu
lated by people who don't have 7We're on
problems and difficulties in their
lives and never need advice and
support.
This is exacerbated by the fact mgr „ S/de
that funding aimed at improving '^ r- i
children's life chances, such as Sure
Start, The Children's Fund and `- ,$ 4 I For experienced. prat( : °Ip call
Children's Centres, goes elsewhere Swindon 511055
Swindon, as does money to sup
port and regenerate communities.
West Swindon does not have to '` ;j - ,
contend with issues of need and
deprivation on the scale experi- ^sta6[ished over 10 +ears
Surz'ived for another year. Alyson Cardis, front. ^, r 1
enced by other communities in the

with mums and children at the West Swindon Family Project
ect
town. But individuals have Simi- y 'WE COME TO YOU
larexperienceswhichareoften hid- The loss of a family Centre in any Council to value its people and AT HOME OR WORK'
den within this more wealthy area. part of the town would be a trag- invest in its children.
There are equally entrenched issues edy for families, but in West Swin- People who associate with the ^^ * FREE
such as isolation, stigma-tisation, don it would mean the loss of one centre, or who have been in the 0 collection & delivery
dislocation of communities and a of the few remaining symbols of past, expressed this opinion in their r ^ Servicing & repairs
lack of a sense of belonging, an intent by Swindon Borough own way, by writing to the Leader •W
of the council about the recent BIKE WE ALSO SELL
budget proposals. DocrOR ,t New cycles
Over 20 years in the community Thanks to the efforts and sup-
The project started life in 1980 under the umbrella of the National port of all these people, we will be * Parts & accessories
Children's Home (NCH) with funding from Thamesdown and Wiltshire
around for a while longer and are
County Councils.
looking forward to extending our
It moved to the `house' at 15 dren. parents and young mums in services during this year. i
Gainsborough Way. Freshbrook, particular. New College runs basic
in 1986 and was made an inde- skills classes for people wanting to
pendent. locally managed project improve their English and Maths.
in 1995. The management com- The community fund lottery grant
mittee secured a lottery grant at will allow the appointment of an BUY ONE GET ONE
the end of 1998 to purchase the outreach worker to work with fami-
house which was extended and lies in Toothill both individually and
converted for disabled access in in groups. A drop-in group for par-
2001. ents at Toothill School is planned FREE
The project offers support and for later this year.
advice for families, and runs sev- Contact the project on 871303,
eral well attended groups for chit- mail:[email protected]
The council should be clear that voluntary
organisations deliver the goods
Swindon has a thriving, energetic non-statutory sector providing care,
support, advice and information to its population, doing the things local
authorities cannot or should not do because of cost or bureaucracy.
But year after year they are considered the soft target to reduce
council spending, despite being rigorously examined by council offic-
ers to justify grant support. Just as central government is keen to see
non-statutory organisations take on more responsibility, Swindon Coun-
cil seems as keen to cut them back.
The non-statutory sector appears to be a pawn in a wider political
game being played in a council where no party is in full control. Your NEW O'Briens store
There was drama in the council chamber on 12 February when the Kembrey Park, Swindon, Wiltshire, 5N2 8YZ
Tory 6.3`x, council tax rise proposal was defeated and the Labour/Lib
Dem 7.5% hike was passed on the Mayor's casting vote - thereby
avoiding up to £750,000 cuts to voluntary and arts organisations. I_
Chris Lau, director of Voluntary Action Swindon, has severe doubts
about the council's understanding of the contribution made by such www.obriensontine.com
organisations. "Voluntary organisations are an easy target for the Terms & Conditions: i. This voucher entitles the bearer when purchasing an O'Briens
Sandwich to a FREE Sandwich of their choice at the same time. 2. Valid at named
council and it does not see them as key players in a partnership working O'Briens store only. 3. Valid for q weeks from receipt of voucher (or longer at managers
to provide front line services to the community. If the voluntary sector discretion). q. Voucher cannot be used with any other offer. 5. Please cut out this
coupon and hand in with purchase. 6. Vouchers altered, damaged, defaced or copied
needs to be modernised, I think the council's financial management are invalid. 7. Voucher has no cash vatue. 8. Offer not open to franchisees and their
staff, suppliers, agents and their immediate families.
should do the same." Promoter: O'Briens Irish Sandwich Bar Ltd UK, ii/iq Bond Court Leeds, LSi 2)2.
This store is independently owned and operated under license.
For Franchise enquiries please contact Freephone UK: 0800 888
The Mayor of Swindon is looking for the person who has done the most for 973
charity in the last year. Details on how to nominate someone on page 29.