Page 47 - link magazine

Bringing community action history together
Stepping Forward, a new Heritage Lottery Fund supported project is
set to trace and capture the unique story of Swindon’s strong tradition
of community action. And on 4 February Voluntary Action Swindon is
inviting people to come along to the first of a series of coffee mornings to
share experiences, memories and photos to build up the archive.
Explaining the motivation for the crease in population from the 1840s. Hong in
project, Swindon-based historian and With the cutbacks perhaps Swindon
social researcher Martha Parry said: people have to reconsider what it takes
“Everybody talks about how we have to build a community.” Oriental BUFFET RESTAURANT
a great tradition of community action The aim is to collate as much infor-
here, so we wanted to prove it. There’s mation as possible from residents in
has been more social history written person and online. The results will be
Chinese New Year
about Swindon than possibly any displayed online and in a commemo- Chinese New Year
other English town, but little about rative 64 page book.
Celebration
its community action. To get involved contact Shaz Qad- Celebration
“Our town has a very long and dus at Voluntary Action Swindon
proud record of people ‘doing things on 01793 538398 or mail: info@
for themselves,’ since the rapid in- vas-swindon.org
Ideas wanted to make MS therapy
centre’s 30th year a memorable one

Thirty years is a really long time for a charity to survive - especially if it has
managed to grow without any state funding. And with cutbacks ripping
through the voluntary sector, the Swindon Therapy Centre for Multiple
Sclerosis on the Westmead estate in Westlea is experienced in offering
much needed services whilst being focussed on the future.
Nevertheless raising
money from charitable
and business sources is
Featuring
now more difficult as lots Featuring
of charities are pressing
for support, which is why
Lion Dance Show
the MS Therapy Centre is Lion Dance Show
asking readers for ideas to
12 - 6pm, 10th-Feb (Sunday)
help them celebrate three 12 - 6pm, 10th-Feb (Sunday)
decades during 2013.
“Thirty years provid-
ing support to people
dinner
Free
with MS in the Swindon David & Jackie Wray with Laura Wilson, centre, hold- dinner
voucher
area is a huge milestone ing the Queens Award to Voluntary Organisations Free voucher
for us and we really want Photo: Richard Wintle www.calyxpix.com
to shout about it,” said Jackie Wray, the growth of the physio department
manager of the therapy centre which has been a tremendous success and for a booking with 4
last year received the Queen’s Award we’re expanding our counselling ser- or more adults
for Voluntary Organisations. “We vice. We want to continue to offer this on 10th-Feb.
started from very humble beginnings to users at a reasonable price which
and have grown in response to the means generating income.
need to provide relief to people with “Every little bit of fundraising Booking line:
multiple-sclerosis and other neuro- will help. For example, what about
logical conditions. We currently have raising £30 for our thirtieth year; Pepperbox Hill, 01793 877888
over 300 members, 60 volunteers who think about organising a sponsored Peatmoor,
assist in the running of the centre, and event; you could put a collecting box Swindon, SN5 5EZ
offer more therapies than ever. in your workplace or school. Or you Opening Times & Prices
“Most of our members benefit from could come up with a brand new idea
‘diving sessions’ in our oxygen tank, to help us. Give me a call on 01793 Lunch : Monday - Saturday Other Information:

12noon - 3.00pm A£6.50 C£3.50
as receiving oxygen under pressure 481700 or mail: fundraising@ms- * A = Adult
significantly relieves their condition. swindon.org.uk” Dinner : Monday - Thursday C = Children under
5.00pm - 10.30pm A£11.50 C£6.50
1.5m / 4’11”
And this is complemented by exercise 10k runners wanted Friday - Saturday Under 2 Years: FREE.
and stretching sessions, physio- The MS therapy centre has six places 5.00pm - 11.00pm A£12.50 C£6.50 * Minimum charge: £3.
therapy, massage and reflexology to for runners willing to commit to raise All day : Sunday & Bank Holidays The Management reserves
make life easier.” £500 each to run the British 10k in 12noon - 10.30pm A£11.50 C£6.50 the right to make changes
Community fundraiser Laura Wil- London on Sunday 14 July. Call Laura Take Away Box : £5.00 without prior notice.
son welcomes any kind of assistance. for details. w w w . h o n g x i n . c o . u k
“Since we moved to our new building www.msswindon.org.uk
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