The Community Centre

Mayors Charity Casino Night

Saturday 6th April 

Neeld Community & Arts Centre

A thrilling evening of entertainment hosted by the Mayor of Chippenham with all money raised going towards his charity Doorway Wiltshire.

There will be games, prizes, food & drink and live music.

Doors open for welcome drinks at 6:30pm. Event ends at 12:30am.

Adults only- Age 18+

Tickets are £40 and need to be purchased by 30th March, which can be purchased via the Neeld website. Visit neeld.co.uk/whats-on/mayors-charity-casino-night-2


John Coles Bandstand 

The popular free bandstand concert in John Coles are back for 2024.

Every Sunday between 3.00pm and 5.00pm

May

5th: Chippenham Town Band

12th: Royal Wootton Bassett Brass Band

19th: Devizes Town Band

26th: Cirencester Band

June

2nd: Wilton Royal British Legion Band

9th: City of Bath Brass Band

16th: Marshfield Band

23th: Ramsbury Silver Band

30th: Wotton Silver Band

July

7th: Malmesbury Concert Band

14th: Chippenham Town Band

21st: Big Brunch Band

28th: North Swindon Big Band

August

4th: The Corsham Band

11th: The Cricklade Band

18th: Saxophonics

25th: Wroughton Silver Band

September

1st: Bren Jones Big Band

8th: Phoenix Wind Band

15th: Chippenham Town Band


Collection Conversations

Monthly
2pm – 3.30pm
Free, booking essential

A series of art talks at Chippenham Museum with artists from the museum’s Modern and Contemporary Art collection talking about their work, providing insights into their inspiration and practice. This will be followed by an opportunity to ask questions with the audience encouraged to join in the conversation.

Coming up:

Rosalind Whitehouse – Saturday 23 March

James Castle & Anna Gillespie – Saturday 22 June

Rosalind Robinson & Claire Loder – Saturday 27 July

Nicholas Lees & Jo Taylor – Saturday 21 September

Ian Chamberlain & Sandra Porter – Saturday 19 October

Ron George & Alun Crockford – Saturday 23 November

Iain Cotton, Richard Crooks & Guy Thomas – Saturday 14 December

To book visit www.chippenham.gov.uk/chippenham-museum


Free Community Lunches

Every Saturday (12.30pm - 1.30pm)

A free 2-course lunch is being provided for the community at Sheldon Road Methodist Church.

First come, first served. All welcome - anybody can come, there is no qualification.

Vegetarian and gluten free options available.


Rethink Mental Illness

Every Monday, 5.30pm until 6.30pm

Stanley Road Sports Ground, Chippenham

A weekly friendly kickabout for men 18+ to team up and be part of a safe group where they can talk openly and freely without judgement.

Cost: £3.00 per session.

If you are interested in attending or have any questions contact David on 07483 913159 or email: david.scourfield@rethink.org


Have Your Say On Mental Health

Don’t forget the chance to have your voice heard by joining the Healthwatch Wiltshire Mental Health Open Forum.

This forum provides a unique opportunity for people to speak directly to those who run mental health services in Wiltshire, talking about their experiences and sharing their ideas for ways services could be improved.

Join the free Healthwatch Wiltshire Mental Health Open Forum online on the first Wednesday of every month at 2pm.

For more details, and to sign up, please email Catharine Symington at: catharine.symington@healthwatchwiltshire.co.uk


Take the Stage

Neeld Community & Arts Centre

Take The Stage is back for 2024!

The competition will see 12 young music acts compete across four heats for a place in the final, with the chance to play for some great prizes. So long as you are under 21 years of age, you can apply.

Heat 1 – Friday 2nd of February
Heat 2 – Friday 23rd of February
Heat 3 – Friday 8th of March
Heat 4 – Friday 22nd of March
The Final – Friday 19th of April

Tickets: Purchased in advance = £5.00 Purchased on door = £6.00
Doors 7:30pm for an 8:00pm start. Approx. 10:30pm finish


Would you like the Mayor of Chippenham to attend your engagement or event?

You are able to book the Mayor of Chippenham to attend your virtual or in-person event. 

Please note the Mayor and Deputy Mayor have busy schedules and it takes time to confirm availability so please give adequate notice of an engagement or event, last minute requests cannot be guaranteed.

If you would like any more information regarding booking the Mayor for an event or engagement then please contact Michael Weeks on mweeks@chippenham.gov.uk


GOGA Classes

GOGA stands for 'Get Out Get Active' and are multi-sports and fun activities.

Great for improving physical health, self-esteem, energy levels and mood.

The new sessions are coming to Chippenham Thursdays between 10am and 11.15am at the Olympiad Leisure Centre.

The sessions are free and open to all ages.

For more information and to register visit sportsdevelopment@wiltshire.gov.uk


West Wiltshire Young Archaeologists’ Club

Saturdays, once a month
10.30am – 12.00pm

West Wiltshire YAC is open to everyone aged 8–16 years. YAC clubs get involved in all sorts of activities, including visiting and investigating archaeological sites and historic places, trying out traditional crafts, taking part in excavations, and lots more.

To find out about membership, contact Chippenham Museum on 01249 446699.


Crafty Café

Mondays, fortnightly (excluding bank holidays)
2.00pm – 3.30pm
Free, drop in, no need to book

Grab your needlework or knitting for an afternoon of craft, coffee and conversation at Chippenham Museum. 

A chance to talk with other crafters, swap patterns, share skills and get advice if you are stuck on a stitch! 

A fun and social way to share your hobby and maybe learn a new one.


Photo Club

Chippenham Museum, Wednesdays, 4.30pm – 5.30pm
£3 per session
Suitable for ages 11 – 17

In association with the Photo Club, this after school club in the setting of the museum galleries runs photography projects for young people to learn new skills and be creative. The club aims to improve self-expression and motivation, focusing on activities to help mental health and wellbeing while capturing great images and having fun.


Chippenham Park Run

Saturdays at 9.00am, Monkton Park

Chippenham Park Run is a free, weekly, timed 5k run, jog or walk.

Organised by local volunteers, they encourage individuals and groups to meet their mental as well as physical health goals in a friendly community atmosphere.

The course is run on a mixture of trail paths, tarmac paths and gravel paths. Some sections of the course may accumulate mud, leaves and puddles after rain. Dependent on availability, marshals will be at key sections of the course, or signs will be in place.

Toilets are available behind the pitch and putt tea room, in the Olympiad Sports Centre and in the Emery Gate.
There is ample pay-and-display parking at the Olympiad car park (as well as Emery Gate, Bath Road and Borough Parade car parks).

For more information visit www.parkrun.org.uk/chippenham


Visit our local museum

Housed in an 18th century townhouse, Chippenham Museum tells the fascinating story of this historic market town from its prehistoric origins to the present day. Learn about the town’s development, through its connections to river, road and rail, and explore its surprising links to Alfred the Great and Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

The museum is open Monday to Saturday, 10.00am - 4.00pm and is free to enter.

You'll find the museum at 9-10 Market Place.

If you want to find out more visit their website https://www.chippenham.gov.uk/chippenham-museum


Recycling School Uniforms

Chippenham Uniform Exchange are a not-for-profit community interest organisation helping Chippenham families with the cost of school uniform.

There aim is to create a single unified scheme for reusing preloved items of school uniform in Chippenham. 

They enable families to dispose of outgrown school uniform ethically for the benefit of the community instead of throwing it away into landfill.

Families can pass on to them any items of school uniform no longer needed which can then be accessed at very low cost through pop-up shops or provided for free to families who find themselves in financial hardship.

The scheme is available to all families with school-aged children in the Parish of Chippenham.

To donate or to find out more visit their website chippenhamuniformexchange.org.uk


Big C Support Group

Cancer affects all of us so if you've been affected in any way and you want a friendly space to meet friends who really care, then Chippenham Community Hub invite you to pop in for a tea/coffee and a chat.

The sessions are held on the last Wednesday of the month from 4.30pm to 6.30pm we will be meeting at 23 Borough Parade for the Talk the BIG C support Group. 

The Community Hub is located at 23 Borough Parade.


Singing Cafe

The special Cafe sessions provides singing therapy to those that need it. That could be people with mental health disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer's, those with memory loss or just anybody that could use the company.

These fun sessions cost £5.00, which includes tea and biscuits.

Every Tuesday between 2.00pm and 3.00pm in the main hall at the Cause Venue, 42 The Causeway, Chippenham.

For more information call 01249 446 893.


Age UK Wiltshire is piloting a new service ‘Travel Friends’

The service aims to reduce loneliness for socially isolated older people and to help them to reconnect with their local communities, friends, and family. During Covid many older people have lost confidence in getting out and about.

Age UK Wiltshire are looking for people who will be able to work with an older person, over a short period of time, to help them gain the confidence to travel independently once again. A volunteer will support with accessing and understanding bus/train timetables, accessing community transport and Link schemes in their area and travelling with the client at first to help them feel confident to do so alone. All volunteers will receive training for this role and will be supported by a member of staff.

If you, or someone you know, would be interested in finding out more about this volunteering role or using the service please contact Ginny Cooper or Anna Angel who will be only too happy to help.

Email:  travelfriends@ageukwilthsire.org.uk  or Tel: 07500 137 135


Art Group

People living with dementia in Chippenham are invited to  join a friendly new art group.

The group, which is kindly being funded by Chippenham Borough Lands Charity, will give members the chance to explore a wide variety of art projects with professional artist Fran Young, and be creative together in a relaxed supportive atmosphere.

Family carers will also be welcome as full members of the group – and no experience of art is necessary to come along.

It will meet at King Alfred’s Hall.

For more information go to https://www.alzheimerswiltshire.org.uk/news/new-art-group


Join the Memory Shed

The Memory Shed meets on Wednesdays from 2pm and is for men and women living with dementia who like making things and working with tools. The friendly, sociable meetings allow people to work on practical projects supported by trained volunteers.

Projects include making bird boxes, memory boxes, wooden animals and outdoor planters. Members are also supported to work on their own chosen projects. Carers are welcome to join in as full members of the group. 

The shed also has a seating area where members can chat and get to know each other over refreshments.

Occasionally the group has trips out to places of interest such as Lacock Abbey or museums in Bath. 

For more information call Kerry Rose on 01380 739055.

The Memory Shed is based at Pockeridge and Potley Community Centre, Pockeridge Road, Corsham.


Bereavement Help Point Coffee Mornings

The Bereavement Help Point, Chippenham is a community based drop-in service where all people who are bereaved are welcome. 

It’s a space to meet and talk with others who may be experiencing similar thoughts and feelings, in an informal and supportive setting.

All sessions are free of charge and there’s no need to book, just come along.

The sessions takes place on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at The Angel, 8 Market Place
Chippenham, between 10.00am and 12.00noon.
 


Mentor Volunteers

The Youth Adventure Trust is a registered youth development charity providing a programme of outdoor adventure camps and activity days for vulnerable young people from the Wiltshire area.

As a mentor you will be carefully matched with a young person and work with them on a one-to-one basis within their local community. Although individual arrangements will vary, you’ll meet for approximately 2 hours a fortnight, for up to a year, providing them with personalised support to achieve the most positive outcomes.

Although beneficial, no previous experience of working with young people is required, as full training will be provided. All they ask is that you’re enthusiastic, reliable and committed to the mentoring relationship.

There mentors are role models to the vulnerable young people we work with, and therefore should be responsible, resilient, good at communicating and have a desire to help young people.

To find out more contact Becky Brotherton-Brown on 07592 664679 or email becky@youthadventuretrust.org.uk


The Children & Families Voluntary Sector Forum

Children and Families Voluntary Sector Forum is a networking group for organisations working
with children and families in Wiltshire and wants to attract new members.

They act not only as a forum for its 80 plus member organisations to share and learn but also as a representative voice. The bi-monthly group meets virtually and gives members a chance to share what is going on in their work as
well as hear from speakers and network.

Benefits of the forum’s free membership include:

  • Access to like-minded groups, reducing isolation for workers and services
  • Access to free training
  • Building a common voice on issues which affect the sector
  • Keeping up to date with national regional and local initiatives and opportunities
  • Having the ear of the Wiltshire Council
  • Place to promote your organisation and events services are putting on 

To find out more about the forum and to join, contact admin@cfvsf.org


The Building Bridges Programme

The Building Bridges programme supports people across Wiltshire who are facing significant challenges in being able to develop their skills, access education or move towards the world of work. Taking part in the programme is entirely voluntary and all of our advice and support is offered free of charge.

The programme is a partnership of local organisations who are experts at supporting people and giving them the skills and confidence they need to move forward. They work with people on a one-to-one basis to help them address the challenges and barriers they are facing and develop a personalised plan to help them achieve their goals at a pace they are comfortable with.

Each participant will have someone who works with them as a mentor, helping them to access support from across the partnership. These mentors can also work with family members, carers, key workers or other people supporting you.

They understand that there are many different factors which affect whether people feel ready to take the next step forwards – this is why they also offer specialist help and support in a number of areas including developing physical and mental wellbeing, accessing debt and financial advice and help with issues such as transport and childcare.

The programme is jointly funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and the European Social Fund. 

To find out more visit https://buildingbridgessw.org.uk/  or call 01308 732821.


Support for families of addicts

Families Out Loud supports families of addicts in Wiltshire. They offer one-to-one counselling, support group meetings and bereavement support.

Addiction in the family is devastating for all concerned and can be extremely isolating.

Family members, who are trying to operate within someone else’s chaos, can find themselves cut off from friends, colleagues and extended family.

Families Out Loud offers the opportunity to talk, which can be a lifeline for people going through such trauma and distress. Their support encourages people to make positive changes, enabling them to better function in their daily lives.

If you’d like to know more visit their website http://www.familiesoutloud.org

or email familiesoutloud@gmail.com


Wiltshire's Dementia Adviser Service

If you or someone in your family has been diagnosed with dementia, make an appointment to talk to a dementia adviser.

The adviser will talk to you about help that you might need during the course of the illness, including accessing health and community services.

They will listen to your needs and help you find the support that is right for you.

The adviser can visit you in your home or if you prefer, at a surgery.

To get in touch with your local adviser call 01380 739 055.


The Coffee Connection

Dorothy House and 'We Hear You' have come together to offer a virtual support group for anyone in the local area affected by a life-limiting illness or associated bereavement.

This group is an opportunity to connect with other people in a similar situation and chat to our team from the comfort of your home.

The virtual get together is FREE every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday where you will see some familiar faces, their team and others, with a cup of coffee or tea in hand. Each session lasts around 45 minutes.

Everything you need to join is at https://www.dorothyhouse.org.uk/the-coffee-connection


Free advice and support from Wiltshire Citizens Advice

Wiltshire Citizens Advice offers free, confidential, impartial advice online, over the phone and via email. 

They give up-to-date advice on benefits, work, money and debt, consumer rights, family issues and more. 

Coronavirus has made life hard for many people there here to help. Whether you’re facing a crisis, or just considering your options; checking a quick piece of information, or not sure where to start. It doesn’t matter who you are, or what your situation is, Wiltshire Citizens Advice will always give you free, confidential and impartial advice. 

They'll give you all the facts and possible outcomes of different options. That way you can make the decision that’s right for you. They can also offer practical support such as help with filling forms, writing letters or negotiating with third parties.

Call for free (new freephone number): 0800 144 8848

Advisers are available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. 

Textphone (if you can’t hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 144 8884

Email: visit their website and complete the short ‘Contact us’ enquiry form:

citizensadvicewiltshire.org.uk/contact-us

For more ways to get in touch, visit their website: citizensadvicewiltshire.org.uk