Page 46 - link magazine

Grandson of the founder Rev Brian
Fessey described his grandfather’s house
in Pinehurst Road as being full of clothes
and food ready for distribution to the
needy. “My father remember’s pushing Celebrating 80 years of voluntary action in Swindon
a wheebarrow to the well-to-do houses
along Goddard Avenue asking for dona- Swindon’s Voluntary Action Service During the war, one of the many Now, apart from support to of community organisations in the
tions of clothing. He was a methodist marked big society community activities the CSS undertook was to individual organisations, VAS coor- town which is published online, and
lay preacher who inspired me to go out involvement by hundreds of local run a tobacco relief fund for OAPs. dinates the charity trustees network, keeps groups informed with a weekly
as a young boy to knock on the doors of groups and charities and literally The organisation has had a variety of provides governance and funding ad- e-mail newsletter.
older people to offer my help with odd thousands of residents over eight names and has been responsible for set- vice, a UK online computer training See the full story at www.bit.ly/
jobs. I’m so proud that his work is being decades on Friday 14 December. ting up projects which led to the Mar- facility, runs CRB checks on behalf vas80
remembered in Swindon nowadays.” First convened by Thomas Fessey riage Guidance Council, Wiltshire of local groups, maintains a directory www.vas-swindon.org
as the Swindon Council of Social and Swindon Law Centre, Swindon
Services in December 1932, it was the Carers Centre, the CAB, Dial-A-Ride
town’s response to the great depres- and the Volunteer Bureau.
sion. In those austere days volunteers Unveiling a reproduction of Ken White’s
collected and distributed clothing long lost mural painted to mark the
and food, and even set up a pig farm fiftieth anniversary of VAS, which now
to create jobs for the unemployed. hangs in the reception at the VAS office,
1 John Street, Swindon.
From left, Mrs Sarah Rose Troughton,
Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire; Ken White;
Justin Tomlinson MP; chair of Voluntary
Action Swindon Trustees Mansoor Khan;
YOUR VHS VIDEO OR CAMCORDER VAS chief executive David Wray; Swin-
TAPE TRANSFERRED TO DVD DISC don Council chief executive Gavin Jones;
£15 the Mayor of Swindon Michael Bray and
trustee Nazma Ramruttun. Photo: Rich-
Tel: 01793 705333 ard Wintle www.calyxpix.com Being a volunteer could bring advantages
in the job market
TERRY WINTER Find out how on a low-cost course offered by the Volunteer Centre
Space
Space
MONUMENTAL STONEMASON Master Volunteering has many benefits, such as improving job prospects and meet-
New memorials - Additional inscriptions Master ing new people, and it’s more important than ever to have a wide range
The wardrobe people
Old memorials cleaned and renovated of experiences on your CV, writes Sue Dunmore, manager of Volunteer
Free estimates • BRAMM accredited LUXURY FITTED WARDROBES
Made to measure • Floor to ceiling
Over 25 years’ experience Free brochures • No obligation quote Centre, Swindon
Tel: 01793 861035 or 07935 309644 01793 827188 In these times of increased competi- volunteering;
email: [email protected] tion for work, a situation not helped • Find out about volunteering op-
by the recent announcement of 800 portunities and how you can get
job losses at Honda, getting involved involved.
in volunteering is a good way for you We can either hold a course at our
to stand out from the crowd and Volunteer Centre in John Street or
Sunday Worship 10.30am develop your skills. come to you if you have a group of 8
Sunday School and Creche If you are interested in volunteering or more interested in participating.
Meeting at Abbey Meads but don’t know what it involves or If you are a volunteer involving or-
Community School how to go about it then why not come ganisation we can also run the course
on our subsidised Introduction to for you as part of your volunteer
Volunteering course to find out more? inductions.
The course will help you to: Dates and times of courses are flex-
• Understand the purpose and value ible. For details contact Louise Hallett
of volunteering; or Carol Harrison on 01793 420557
• Understand and overcome any or mail: lou@swindonvolunteers.
barriers; org.uk or carol@swindonvolunteers.
• Develop your skills for successful org.uk

St. John’s Haydon Wick West Swindon & The Lydiards
On Thames Avenue Church Partnership
next door to Join us in worship on Sunday mornings
Morrisons Westlea Church, Westlea School: 10.00am
Contact: St Mary’s Lydiard Tregoze -
Revd Raymond Adams the church in the park: 10.00am
Tel: 634258 All Saints’ Lydiard Millicent -
the church in the village: 10.30am
Sunday 9am Traditional communion service Holy Trinity, Shaw: 10.30am
Services 11am Eventful, contemporary worship Toothill Church: 10.30am
with children’s groups meeting For details of these and our other services
www.stjohnshaydonwick.org.uk call the Partnership Office on 01793 874221
Email: [email protected] Website: www.wswinlyd.org.uk
Open to all, serving tea, coffee, cakes & light lunches
Fridays and Saturdays: 10am - 2pm Anglican • Baptist • Methodist • United Reformed Church
46 swindonlink.com • February 2013

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