Swindon
CHOOSE YOUR CHALLENGE NOWChoose your festive challenge now!
Our ZCT elves have been super busy sourcing a sack load of projects for you and your teams to pick from! Whether sprinkling trees with tinsel, wrapping presents with ribbon, or spreading joy with a jolly party - we have lots of ways you can make it a tree-mendous Christmas in your community!
With a mixture of virtual and face-to-face projects, and up to £500 provided per challenge, it couldn't be easier!
To book, please call Mark Flay on 07812 265497
You'll find everything else you need in our Challenge Team Leader Toolkit! >
SWIN3F A Christmas Carol!
The Challenge
The care home has over 30 residents and they would love a carol concert in the build up to Christmas. This could be held indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather, and other considerations at the time. Do you and your team have the X Factor? Even if you don't, then take on this fun challenge to bring some joy to the residents and provide them with a festive cream tea to enjoy on the day of the concert.
Ashgrove Nursing Home
Ashgrove House aim to care for people on an individual basis and provide maximum quality of life, with special attention to preserving dignity, independence and self-esteem throughout their stay. It is also their aim to help people recover sufficiently to return home whenever possible and when desired.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN4F& Santa's Elves Apply Here! (2)
The Challenge
One of five vacancies for a team of Santa's Elves! The Supported Housing team in Swindon would love to bring festive cheer to the 15 young adults that they support at Bailey's Farmhouse. The team can provide you with a list of first names and would love it if you could buy each of them a chocolate hamper as a festive treat and hand these over to the main Elf (a member of the supported house team in disguise), who will hand out the hampers before Christmas! If you have any money to spare, supermarket vouchers towards food for their festive party would be simply amazing!
Bailey's Farm House
Bailey's Farm House, part of Swindon Borough Council supported housing, provides temporary accommodation for vulnerable single people and families. They provide support to deal with issues ranging from domestic abuse, safeguarding, mental health, substance misuse as well as issues around debt and life skills.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN5F Festive Food Hampers!
The Challenge
Booth House would like to be able to give each of the 52 people they support a small festive food parcel or gift bag which could contain goodies such as chocolate, biscuits, cakes, popcorn, a small jar of coffee, and a box of teabags. You could even add a Christmas cracker on top to add some extra festive cheer when you deliver these before the big day!
Booth House
Booth House is here to provide a safe and supportive environment to give clients with a Swindon connection, the tools and time to make positive changes which can lead to a long-term housing solution.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN6F Santa's Elves Apply Here! (4)
The Challenge
One of five vacancies for a team of Santa's Elves! The Supported Housing team in Swindon would love to bring festive cheer to the 21 children that they support at Evelyn House. The team can provide you with a list of first names and ages and your task is to go shopping and buy a gift for each child, before wrapping it and handing it over to the main Elf (a member of the supported house team in disguise), who will hand out the presents at a party they are planning! The team can come shopping with you to guide you on what to buy, or you can host an online shopping session on a Teams call, if you prefer. If you have any money to spare, supermarket vouchers towards party food would be simply amazing!
Evelyn House
Evelyn House, Swindon Borough Council Supported Housing, provides temporary accommodation for vulnerable single people and families. They provide support to deal with issues ranging from domestic abuse, safeguarding, mental health, substance misuse as well as issues around debt and life skills.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN7F A Pop-Up Christmas Shop!
The Challenge
The charity is opening a pop-up shop in Swindon during November and needs the help of a creative team who can draw the seasonal shoppers through the doors and to make this new venture a festive success! This could be as simple as supplying festive freebies for the first 100 people that make a purchase in December and handing out leaflets in the town centre to promote this offer. Alternatively, you could go festively wild with a Christmas-themed makeover of the shop window! Use your imagination to come up with a range of ideas that will help the charity gain new customers and raise awareness of their valuable work too!
FearFree
FearFree is a charity based in Trowbridge and Swindon and working across Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and Devon. As a charity, their aim is to break the cycle of abuse and they support adults and children who are experiencing, or have experienced, domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN8F Carols and Cake!
The Challenge
The charity would love for a team to visit them for a festive sing-along to some of their favourite Christmas carols. All that singing might make everyone thirsty and hungry, so it makes sense to plan ahead and serve up a selection of festive treats alongside a nice cuppa! Everyone at Headway loves singing and they especially love cake! Take on this Challenge and help bring festive cheer to everyone, but also enjoy all the fun (and cake) too!
Headway
Swindon & District Headway provides a range of activities that assist adults with a brain injury to relearn skills and rebuild their life again. Injuries can be as a result of a road traffic accident, stroke, assaults, attempted suicide or falls. They aim to help support individuals to reduce isolation and feel they are, once again, a part of their local community.
Team size = Small (<6)
SWIN9F A Quizzical Christmas!
The Challenge
The charity is looking for a team to design a Christmas quiz suitable for adults of varying ages and abilities. They would love to be able to give everyone a small gift for taking part too. This could be a festive mug with festive treats inside. On the day, in addition to running the quiz, you might also like to provide biscuits, cake and other treats for each table to enjoy and some festive decorations or props to help add some sparkle! Help make this festive quiz happen and give them a day to remember.
Headway
Swindon & District Headway provides a range of activities that assist adults with a brain injury to relearn skills and rebuild their life again. Injuries can be as a result of a road traffic accident, stroke, assaults, attempted suicide or falls. They aim to help support individuals to reduce isolation and feel they are, once again, a part of their local community.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN10F Christmas Magic!
The Challenge
The charity would like a team to organize their Christmas Memory Café event on Tuesday 19 December. They would like your help with table decorations, plates, serviettes and some festive treats. In addition, they'd also appreciate your support with the entertainment for the event and a raffle with a number of small prizes available. This will add even more excitement and buzz to a wonderful festive event that will bring joy to so many!
Highworth Forget Me Not
Highworth Forget-Me-Not Cafe provide a monthly Memory Café where people living with dementia in our community and their companions can socialise and receive ongoing support.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN11F All Wrapped Up!
The Challenge
The Live Well team support older vulnerable people who may not have family to support them. They would love for a team to play Santa and enable them to hand out gifts to these older people such as biscuits, treats, hats, gloves, and scarfs and give them a present to open during the festivities. Can you help put a smile on the faces of around 80 people they support this Christmas and get this Challenge all wrapped up?
LiveWell Swindon, Swindon Borough Council
LiveWell Swindon falls under Public Health at Swindon Borough Council. LiveWell addresses many community needs, especially those needs around reducing loneliness and isolation in our community. Their projects include volunteer befriending through Swindon Circles for those who have no friends or family and are unable to get out of the home.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN12F Supportive Festive Gifts!
The Challenge
The LiveWell team support various homeless projects around Swindon and help support vulnerable people who may not have other help available to them. They would love for a team to play Santa and enable them to hand out gifts to those living in homeless hostels. Items such as Lynx, Nivea or Dove gift sets and some festive treats would ensure they have a present to open during the festivities. Can you help put a smile on the faces of around 60 homeless people this Christmas?
LiveWell Swindon, Swindon Borough Council
LiveWell Swindon falls under Public Health at Swindon Borough Council. LiveWell addresses many community needs, especially those needs around reducing loneliness and isolation in our community. Their projects include volunteer befriending through Swindon Circles for those who have no friends or family and are unable to get out of the home.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN13F Festive Trimmings!
The Challenge
Every year, the school like to make their Christmas lunch special, by decorating the hall and tables. They would like a small team to provide all the trimmings for this, including some crackers, napkins, decorations, and Christmas tablecloths to help them create a magical hall. Think sustainability when buying items and buy items that the school can use again in future years! Can you make some magic happen this Christmas?
Mountford Manor Primary School
Mountford Manor Primary School is a small school in one of Swindon's most deprived areas. They have a high number of pupil premium children due to poverty in the local area and a high number of children with special educational needs. With home lives often being difficult for their children, their focus is on providing a calm, safe, nurturing learning environment for all their pupils to help them engage with their learning.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN14F A Big Selection!
The Challenge
The challenge is to provide the school with 250 wrapped selection boxes, so that all the children that attend can leave with a chocolate treat before Christmas. Is there a small team up for this challenge and ready to clear the shelves of a local supermarket in one go?
Mountford Manor Primary School
Mountford Manor Primary School is a small school in one of Swindon's most deprived areas. They have a high number of pupil premium children due to poverty in the local area and a high number of children with special educational needs. With home lives often being difficult for their children, their focus is on providing a calm, safe, nurturing learning environment for all their pupils to help them engage with their learning.
Team size = Small (<6)
SWIN15F Festive Gift Cards
The Challenge
The charity would like to request a selection of retail gift cards to support their events programme and increase the number of events they hold. These gift cards will enable them to purchase refreshments, items for activities, prizes for competitions and presents to thank their team of volunteers.
Neuro Wellbeing Centre
The Neuro Wellbeing Centre Swindon is a charity that provides support, help and recognised therapies including physiotherapy to people of all ages affected by MS and other neurological conditions.
Team size = Small (<6)
SWIN16F A Christmas Miracle!
The Challenge
The charity needs a team of Christmas elves to visit their centre and perform a Christmas miracle by staging a magical Christmas party in their studio, complete with decorations, crackers, party food, music, entertainment, dressing up, and prizes or gifts! Many of their clients have mobility issues. Some use wheelchairs and, for several, this will be the only bit of Christmas excitement they may have, because they live on their own or are socially isolated. The charity wants our help to put on this free event, so they can come along, and enjoy themselves, amongst friends and feel those festive vibes!
Neuro Wellbeing Centre
The Neuro Wellbeing Centre Swindon are a charity that provides support, help and recognised therapies including physiotherapy to people of all ages affected by MS and other neurological conditions.
Team size = Large (10+)
SWIN18F Book this Festive Challenge!
The Challenge
The school would love it if Father Christmas could visit Nyland in the last week of term, to deliver books as a festive gift to all of their 60 pupils. Can you make this happen and add some festive cheer to the pupils, while encouraging them to read a book too?
Nyland School
Nyland is a primary school for pupils with additional needs. The pupils here have social emotional and mental health issues.
Team size = Small (<6)
SWIN19F A Christmas Carol Concert!
The Challenge
The Open Door Centre has a choir and a band. They would like a team to support their plans for a carol concert, which will take place on Friday 8 December. They have a venue in mind but would love for the team to make the booking! The team could organise suitable refreshments for the night, which attendees could make a donation for, and sell raffle tickets too. Finally, if you could provide ten small raffle prizes from wine and chocolates to small hampers using around £100 of the budget, that would be the icing on the (Christmas) cake! A committed team of all-rounders is required for this festive extravaganza!
Open Door Centre (Swindon & District)
The Open Door Centre exists to make a positive difference in the lives of adults with learning disabilities, enabling their members to achieve their highest potential. They do this by providing a range of activities within a safe, supportive and non-judgemental environment, and members are involved in every level of decision making about the running of the centre.
Team size = Large (10+)
SWIN20F Add some Festive WOW-cher!
The Challenge
The cost-of-living crisis has affected everyone, and The Open Door Centre is also feeling the pinch. This challenge is so simple but will be SUPER effective. They would love for you to provide them with a mixture of vouchers for the local shops and supermarkets they use, which will enable them to ensure that their members benefit from healthy meals, snacks, and drinks during the festive season and into the new year! Can you add some WOW-cher to their Christmas?!
Open Door Centre (Swindon & District)
The Open Door Centre exists to make a positive difference in the lives of adults with learning disabilities, enabling their members to achieve their highest potential. They do this by providing a range of activities within a safe, supportive and non-judgemental environment, and members are involved in every level of decision making about the running of the centre.
Team size = Small (<6)
SWIN21F Stocking up for Christmas!
The Challenge
Cotswold House would love 16 festive stockings or goody bags for their patients, that will be with them during the Christmas period. The gifts could include pamper items, small games, colouring books, stationery, houseplants and other items that might be suitable for a mixed gender ward. Take on this challenge and help spread some Christmas cheer!
Cotswold House Marlborough
The Cotswold House Eating Disorder Unit is a 12 bedded unit based in Marlborough for adults. They provide care for patients who are struggling to manage in the community and are often very physically unwell due to their eating disorder. They have a multidisciplinary team who provide compassionate care for the patients, from various therapies, a full group programme, occupation therapy activities and general rehab.
Team size = Small (<6)
SWIN22F Dreaming of a White Christmas Party!
The Challenge
The charity would love your help to create a White Christmas themed party on Wednesday 20 December (12-3pm) in their premises, where you could decorate the kitchen with faux snow, snowballs, and snowflakes and create a photo booth for everyone to record their festive photo memories. A party buffet of sandwich platters, festive treats and drinks would be amazing too. They would also love some activities that they can enjoy such as bingo, a Christmas quiz, pin the nose on Rudolph, karaoke, and any other exciting festive party games. Finally, if budget allows, then it would be amazing if each of the 60 attendees could have a small gift or selection box to take away! Are you looking for a super-sized challenge? If so, this is the one for you!
Phoenix Enterprises
Phoenix Enterprises is a Swindon based charity with the mission of getting individuals with disabilities and mental health problems into gainful employment.
Team size = Large (10+)
SWIN23F Let's Wrap This Up!
The Challenge
Each year, the Prospect Hospice run a gift-wrapping service and, the charity are finalising details for this year! They would like a team to use their budget to source sustainable wrapping paper, ribbon and bows. The volunteers for the charity can use these materials, when members of the public bring along their purchased gifts to have them beautifully gift wrapped - in exchange for a donation to the hospice, of course! They are hoping that individuals or small teams can volunteer to get this challenge all wrapped up by offering to cover as many two or three hour shifts as they can, once the charity announce the dates and venues!
Prospect Hospice
Prospect Hospice gives compassionate end of life care and expert support to those who are facing life with the diagnosis of a life-limiting illness. They know how important it is to face the future with a sense of hope and understanding, so provide care for patients, and their families, from diagnosis. They provide services in the community, patients' homes, at their day therapy unit and in-patient bedded unit free of charge. They know that each person is special and every day counts.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN24F Be Present this Christmas!
The Challenge
The Prospect Hospice would love for the people they take care of to receive a wrapped gift from Santa at an event they are planning in December. They can confirm the date and help with ideas for the 50 gifts that will bring joy to those that receive them! This is a perfect opportunity for you and the team to get this challenge all wrapped up and put a smile on the patients' faces this Christmas.
Prospect Hospice
Prospect Hospice gives compassionate end of life care and expert support to those who are facing life with the diagnosis of a life-limiting illness. They know how important it is to face the future with a sense of hope and understanding, so provide care for patients, and their families, from diagnosis. They provide services in the community, patients' homes, at their day therapy unit and in-patient bedded unit free of charge. They know that each person is special and every day counts.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN25F Festive Party Time!
The Challenge
The Short Breaks team would like a team to organise a festive party for 25 children on Thursday 14 December, with the party ready to go at 3.30pm! They would like to be able to give each child a wrapped present, which could be handed out to the children or left under the tree. They can help with present ideas that will be suitable for all ages and genders. Finally, it would be amazing if you could also help with decorations, food, and refreshments to help deliver the full festive party experience!
Short Breaks
Short Breaks (formerly Hop, Skip and Jump) is part of Brunel Education, a subsidiary Company of Brunel Academies Trust. Short Breaks offers respite to parents/carers of children and young adults with special needs and disabilities after school, weekends and in half term. They are open 3pm-6pm weekdays and 10-4pm weekends and through the holidays.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN26F Santa's Elves Apply Here! (3)
The Challenge
One of five vacancies for a team of Santa's Elves! The Supported Housing team in Swindon would love to bring festive cheer to the 30 children and ten young people that they support at St Ives Court. The team can provide you with a list of first names and ages and your task is to go shopping and buy a gift for each child, before wrapping it and handing it over to the main Elf (a member of the supported house team in disguise), who will hand out the presents at a party they are planning! The team can come shopping with you to guide you on what to buy, or you can host an online shopping session on a Teams call, if you prefer. If you have any money to spare, supermarket vouchers towards party food would be simply amazing!
St Ives Court
St Ives Court, part of Swindon Borough Council supported housing, provides temporary accommodation for vulnerable single people and families. They provide support to deal with issues ranging from domestic abuse, safeguarding, mental health, substance misuse as well as issues around debt and life skills.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN27F A Crafty Christmas!
The Challenge
STEP would love for you to provide them with a variety of craft materials that will help them to run some arty sessions during the build up to Christmas and beyond. These items could inspire the young people to create Christmas cards, drawings or to make their own decorations to get their homes ready for the festive season! In addition, it would also be nice if your team could provide a selection of delicious Christmas goodies to decorate and take home to share with family members! The charity can help with ideas and inspiration if needed! They Ho Ho Hope you take on this crafty Christmas challenge!
STEP (Swindon)
Swindon Ten to Eighteen Project (STEP) provides support and life skills with development and learning opportunities for children and young people who have considerable vulnerabilities. These include sufferers of physical and emotional abuse, including self harm. They support over 225 young people every year and improve their relationships at home, at school and within the wider community.
Team size = Small (<6)
SWIN28F A Festive Selection!
The Challenge
The charity would love for a small team to provide them with large selection boxes for each of the 60 service users, across all their therapeutic provisions. This will be to celebrate their hard work and achievements made throughout the year, with the support of the charity team!
STEP (Swindon)
Swindon Ten to Eighteen Project (STEP) provides support and life skills with development and learning opportunities for children and young people who have considerable vulnerabilities. These include sufferers of physical and emotional abuse, including self harm. They support over 225 young people every year and improve their relationships at home, at school and within the wider community.
Team size = Small (<6)
SWIN29F Festive Party Time!
The Challenge
STEP would love to have some festive support to organise a party on Saturday 9 December between 11am and 2pm. They want to be able to say thank you and well done to the young people they support for all their hard work! They would appreciate some festive treats, savoury snacks, soft drinks, along with a supply of festive cups, plates, napkins, and Christmas crackers! Your team would be more than welcome to stay and enjoy the party fun too, if you are free!
STEP (Swindon)
Swindon Ten to Eighteen Project (STEP) provides support and life skills with development and learning opportunities for children and young people who have considerable vulnerabilities. These include sufferers of physical and emotional abuse, including self harm. They support over 225 young people every year and improve their relationships at home, at school and within the wider community.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN30F A Cracker of a Party!
The Challenge
The charity would love a small team to help them organise a Christmas party for around 24 of their residents. They would like their venue decorated for Christmas and for a light buffet with festive food and soft drinks to be laid on. Party games and a party bag with a gift and cake for each of the residents to take home would make this party a complete cracker! This would ideally take place on a weekday afternoon in December.
Stonewater, Swindon
Stonewater provides social housing. Bow Court is part of the supported living area and gives adults with learning disabilities and/or autism, the chance to live as independently as they can. Each resident has their own flat and support is tailored to their individual needs, to ensure they can live their best life.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN31F Christmas Magic!
The Challenge
The Swindon & District Samaritans would love the help of a small team to help them transform their branch premises, including their shop, to add some Christmas magic! They would also appreciate it if the team could come up with a festive window display to brighten up the day of anyone passing the shop during the festive season. This will make the building more welcoming to volunteers and customers. It would be wonderful if you could also come up with some festive treats or goodies for the volunteers, to ensure they know just how appreciated they are throughout the year.
Swindon & District Samaritans
Swindon & District Samaritans' vision is that fewer people die by suicide, so they answer calls for help from anyone who is struggling without judgement or pressure - every hour, of every day of the year by phone, email, online chat and face to face.
Team size = Small (<6)
SWIN32F Super Bowling Blues!
The Challenge
The Bats would like to challenge you at tenpin bowling! They would like a team to organise the event to include two games of tenpin, some food and a drink, one evening in January to help them fight the January blues! The bowling teams will consist of up to ten players from Zurich and ten from Swindon Bats. The Zurich team will be required to wear simulation glasses for part of each game to give them an idea of what some eye conditions are like. Are you ready to strike this one off the list if you have some time to spare?
Swindon Bats
Swindon Bats is a sports and social club for visually impaired people. Their aim is to provide regular activities for visually impaired people aged 18 plus. One of their main activities is tenpin bowling, which they love!
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN33F Toe Curling Action!
The Challenge
The Bats would like to challenge you at a game or two of indoor curling! They would like a team to organise the event to include the curling, trophies for the winners and a buffet and soft drinks. They have the curling set and can discuss venue options with you. The teams will consist of up to ten players from Zurich and ten from Swindon Bats. The Zurich team will be required to wear simulation glasses for part of each game to give them an idea of what some eye conditions are like. Are you ready to take on a slightly different challenge for our friends at Swindon Bats?
Swindon Bats
Swindon Bats is a sports and social club for visually impaired people. Their aim is to provide regular activities for visually impaired people aged 18 plus. One of their main activities is tenpin bowling, which they love!
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN34F Festive Party Sparkle!
The Challenge
The charity would like the help of a team to organise a festive party in December for families living in refuge and being supported in the community. They can work with your team to agree on the venue for the party and would love it if you could arrange enjoyable entertainment for the event! Finally, it would be amazing if you could also help with decorations, food, and refreshments to help deliver the full festive party experience!
Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service
Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Services provide support for male and female victims of domestic abuse in our community. They work to support victims to leave relationships safely and move on in a positive way. As part of this service, they offer refuge accommodation.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN35F Deck The Halls
The Challenge
The charity would love a team to go along to their refuge at the beginning of December and decorate it with Christmas decorations. This really brings festive cheer to the building and the children, in particular, love it. They have some decorations, but it would also be appreciated if you could provide some new ones too! Swindon
Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service
Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Services provide support for male and female victims of domestic abuse in our community. They work to support victims to leave relationships safely and move on in a positive way. As part of this service, they offer refuge accommodation.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN36F Let's Get This Festive Party Started!
The Challenge
The charity would love your help to support their Christmas party on Saturday 2 December from 2pm - 5pm. The first task is to buy and wrap 80 presents from Santa for the younger children, aged up to 11 years old, and make sure these are ready in advance of the big event. The charity will sort other aspects of the party, such as food, drink, and entertainment, but would appreciate your help on the day if any of your team are available! It would be great for you to see the excitement and joy on the faces of the kids that attend, so please do help get this festive party started!
Swindon Down's Syndrome Group
Swindon Down's Syndrome Group is a small, local charity whose purpose is to support people with Down's in the local area. They help over 100 families, all of whom are committed to raising awareness and championing their cause.
Team size = Large (10+)
SWIN37F Just The Festive Ticket!
The Challenge
The charity would love for a small group from Zurich to put together some festive hamper prizes which the charity can raffle off to raise much needed funds for their speech and language therapy groups. Can you magic up three or four hamper prizes of varying sizes so they can raise as much as they can from their supporters!? Prizes to the values of £100, £75, £50 and £25 would be perfect for this challenge.
Swindon Down's Syndrome Group
Swindon Down's Syndrome Group is a small, local charity whose purpose is to support people with Down's in the local area. They help over 100 families, all of whom are committed to raising awareness and championing their cause.
Team size = Small (<6)
SWIN38F Selection this One!
The Challenge
The challenge is to provide the charity with 120 selection boxes, so that all the children and adults they support can enjoy a chocolate treat over Christmas. Is there a small team up for this challenge and ready to clear the shelves of a local supermarket in one go?
Swindon Down's Syndrome Group
Swindon Down's Syndrome Group is a small, local charity whose purpose is to support people with Down's in the local area. They help over 100 families, all of whom are committed to raising awareness and championing their cause.
Team size = Small (<6)
SWIN39F Deck The Halls!
The Challenge
Swindon Music Group are hosting their Christmas concert again at an amazing venue in Swindon called The Platform. This will take place on Friday 1 December and they need the help from a large team to decorate the venue by the 24 November. They would love a 10 foot tree on the stage, and other decorations supplied, to supplement the ones they already have to make a big impact on the entrance to the venue! Can you add the Christmas magic to this venue and ensure the event and others benefit from the added sparkle?!
Swindon Music Service
The Swindon Music Service provides music education to children in Swindon, both in and out of school. This project, the SEND Christmas concert, was back with a vengeance in 2022, and they hope to make it an annual fixture again!
Team size = Large (10+)
SWIN40F Support this Festive Concert
The Challenge
The charity is hosting its Christmas concert again at an amazing venue in Swindon called The Platform. This will take place on Friday 1 December and they need a super organised team to provide squash, pre-prepared sandwich platters and snacks for the 100 special needs children that are taking part for the rehearsal, between 10am and 12pm. In addition, if the team is up for a bumper challenge, it would be great if tea, coffee and squash could also be served in recyclable cups for the actual event between 1pm and 2.30pm for up to 250 people! Biscuits on the side would be a lovely touch too. Facilities are available on-site for the team to use within an old style train catering carriage!
Swindon Music Service
The Swindon Music Service provides music education to children in Swindon, both in and out of school. This project, the SEND Christmas concert, was back with a vengeance in 2022, and they hope to make it an annual fixture again!
Team size = Large (10+)
SWIN41F Deliver The festive Goodies!
The Challenge
The charity would like to offer a Christmas goody bag to around 30-35 of their regular customers, who use the service throughout the year. These festive bags would be given to the customers in the build up to Christmas, or would be delivered to their homes by the charity's team. The bags would ideally cater for various dietary needs and contain a festive selection of food and drink. You could even provide a Christmas cracker too, to add some extra festive cheer!
Swindon Shopmobility
Swindon Shopmobility, managed by Voluntary Action Swindon, is available for anyone with limited mobility and provides a selection of manually-propelled and battery-powered wheelchairs and scooters. These are provided to help people with mobility difficulties when using the facilities in Swindon's town centre.
Team size = Small (<6)
SWIN42F A Festive Day Out!
The Challenge
Swindon Shopmobility would like your help to organise a day trip to one of the Christmas markets in a nearby city for the customers they support. This is a logistical challenge where you will need to investigate affordable transport options, but also the availability of mobility scooters at the destination. Depending on the budget, you might be able to add some festive extras for the outward journey to add that extra festive sparkle to their day!
Swindon Shopmobility
Swindon Shopmobility, managed by Voluntary Action Swindon, is available for anyone with limited mobility and provides a selection of manually-propelled and battery-powered wheelchairs and scooters. These are provided to help people with mobility difficulties when using the facilities in Swindon's town centre.
Team size = Small (<6)
SWIN43F A Christmas Feast!
The Challenge
The charity would love for a team of festive chefs to work with their Café Manager to provide a Christmas feast! This would involve initial tasks of creating a menu, designing invites, and helping with the ordering of food supplies. On the day, you will need kitchen helpers to assist with preparation of food and cooking the food. You'll also need to provide front of house support to set up the festive hall with decorated tables and food service! Christmas fancy dress is optional, but festive music will be compulsory!
The Kelly Foundation
The Kelly Foundation promotes the advancement of good mental health in adults experiencing adverse mental health issues. They support them to achieve healthy mental wellbeing with counselling, advocacy, life coaching, sign-posting, recreation and by being the first port of call, where they listen, understand and help.
Team size = Large (10+)
SWIN44F Create Festive Memories!
The Challenge
The Swindon Memory Cafe would love your help to make the cafe extra special on Monday 4 December at the Wyvern Theatre, by providing festive treats and soft drinks for everyone to enjoy - perhaps some mulled wine as it is the season to be jolly! A small gift for everyone to take away would be appreciated too, such as chocolates, activity books or a craft activity. In addition, it would be great if a small team could volunteer on the day to prepare the tables, help with the food, distribute the gifts and see those faces light up! This is a great challenge for a small team to really get stuck into!
The Memory Café - Wyvern Theatre
The Memory Café, sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care, provides a facility where those living with dementia and their carers, friends and families can meet, talk and join in with activities with other people, as well as an opportunity to speak to support workers, medical practitioners and advisors for information and help.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN45F Festive Pamper Hampers!
The Challenge
The charity would love you to provide 20-25 Christmas shoe boxes / pamper hampers for distribution (early December) to their clients to add some sparkle to their Christmas. These hampers, although small, will be a perfect treat to people that need a festive boost. The charity will guide you as to what types of items you might include.
The Nelson Trust
The Nelson Trust helps women thrive in their community and supports individuals recovering from addiction.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN46F Santa's Elves Apply Here! (5)
The Challenge
One of five vacancies for a team of Santa's Elves! The Supported Housing team in Swindon would love to bring festive cheer to the 34 children that they support at Tyndale Gardens. The team can provide you with a list of first names and ages and your task is to go shopping and buy a gift for each child, before wrapping it and handing it over to the main Elf (a member of the supported house team in disguise), who will hand out the presents at a party they are planning! The team can come shopping with you to guide you on what to buy, or you can host an online shopping session on a Teams call, if you prefer. If you have any money to spare, supermarket vouchers towards party food would be simply amazing!
Tyndale Gardens
Tyndale Gardens, part of Swindon Borough Council supported housing, provides temporary accommodation for vulnerable single people and families. They provide support to deal with issues ranging from domestic abuse, safeguarding, mental health, substance misuse as well as issues around debt and life skills.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN47F Santa's Elves Apply Here! (1)
The Challenge
One of five vacancies for a team of Santa's Elves! The Supported Housing team in Swindon would love to bring festive cheer to the 45-50 children that they support at Underwood House. The team can provide you with a list of first names and ages and your task is to go shopping and buy a gift for each child, before wrapping it and handing it over to the main Elf (a member of the supported house team in disguise), who will hand out the presents at a party they are planning! The team can come shopping with you to guide you on what to buy, or you can host an online shopping session on a Teams call, if you prefer. If you have any money to spare, supermarket vouchers towards party food would be simply amazing!
Underwood House Supported Housing
Underwood House is part of Swindon Borough Council's supported housing and provides temporary accommodation for vulnerable single people and families. They provide support to deal with issues ranging from domestic abuse, safeguarding, mental health, substance misuse as well as issues around debt and life skills.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN48F Festive Party Sparkle!
The Challenge
The charity would like the help of a team to plan an inclusive Christmas party for around 30 of the people they support at their location in Swindon. They would appreciate help with all aspects of the party planning, such as a sparkly invitation that can set the mood and creating the opportunity for everyone to dress up in their best festive outfits. They would love a winter grotto for Santa to hand out suitable gifts and will provide ideas to help you decide what to buy. This challenge can take place any weekday before Christmas, between 10am to 3pm, and the charity would also appreciate help with music, games, decorations, party food, and refreshments. A team of all rounders is needed to make this festive party sparkle!
Uplands Enterprise Trust
Uplands Enterprise Trust (UET) is a Swindon based charity that helps young people, aged 18 plus, with SEND to help themselves. UET is led by a knowledgeable board of voluntary trustees and run by enthusiastic, skilled and creative staff. They offer three different programmes, depending on the individual's needs and requirements. This project is for the Skills for Work team, who have an online store and create items to sell. They are all looking to develop new and enhance existing skills to make a contribution within the community./p>
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN49F A Festive Buffet!
The Challenge
The charity would love the help of a small team to arrange a festive lunchtime buffet on Friday 15 December. This should include games, a quiz or bingo with spot prizes for veterans across Swindon, giving them an opportunity to meet up and socialise at a time when some veterans feel isolated. The charity has a venue, so they just need a team that can provide a festive atmosphere, great food and treats to make this special event a success. Choose this Festive Challenge and join the veterans for some festive fun, interesting stories, and great company!
Voluntary Action Swindon
Voluntary Action Swindon is the Council for Voluntary Services for Swindon providing a range of services to help the voluntary sector thrive. In addition to supporting smaller local charities, they also run the Shopmobility service in the town centre.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN50F A Supportive Festive Experience
The Challenge
The charity is looking for a team to help them to deliver a festive family event on Saturday 25th November as an opportunity for bereaved young people and their families to come together and celebrate a special person that they have lost. It is also a chance for them to share positive memories, and build the courage to face the festive season, in the knowledge that they are supported and not alone in their grief. It would be wonderful if a team of volunteers could decorate the venue the charity has in mind and supply a festive buffet and refreshments suitable for everyone. Festive party games such as pin the nose on the reindeer/snowman, dance competitions, and group games would help make this a festively fun time for everyone.
Wiltshire Treehouse
Wiltshire Treehouse is a bereavement service supporting children, young people and their families within Swindon and Wiltshire. Every year they support around 300 children and young people, 730 parents/carers and siblings, and provide training and support to over 190 children/young people. Through their work they have improved the potential bereavement experience for over 30,000 children and young people in Swindon and Wiltshire.
Team size = Large (10+)
SWIN51F Festive Family Hampers!
The Challenge
The charity would love to be able to offer up to 20 families that are currently going through treatment a festive hamper that they can enjoy together. You and the team can decide on what each hamper will contain and make these up yourselves, to put a smile on so many faces this Christmas! The charity will check with the families and, if they agree, then members of your team could deliver the parcels so they can meet some of the families you are supporting.
Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Movement (CALM)
CALM is a parent run charity set up in Swindon in 1984. CALM aims to improve the quality of life for both the children going through treatment, and the parents and families during and after treatment. CALM provides support to families to cope with physical, emotional and often financial strain. This includes cash grants to families, social events and day trips. CALM also provides convalescent holidays through ownership of three static holiday caravans based at three locations across the UK.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN53F Making Festive Memories!
The Challenge
The Making Memories Cafe would love your help to make the cafe extra special on Friday 15 December, by providing a small gift for everyone to take away, such as chocolates, activity books or a craft activity. In addition, it would be great if a small team could volunteer on the day, provide mince pies and Christmas crackers, decorate the tables, help serve the food and drinks, distribute the gifts, and socialise with the attendees! This is a great challenge for a small team to enjoy and see those faces light up when you hand out the gifts.
Making Memories Cafe - Prospect Hospice
The Making Memories Café, sponsored by Prospect Hospice, provides a facility where those living with dementia and their carers, friends and families can meet, talk and join in with activities with other people, as well as an opportunity to speak to support workers, medical practitioners and advisors for information and help.
Team size = Small (<6)
SWIN54F Festive Afternoon Tea!
The Challenge
The charity is hosting a Christmas themed afternoon tea as a thank you to all of their supporters and to raise awareness within our local community of our support and services available. They would appreciate support from a team that could provide mince pies, cream scones, and mini cakes along with a selection of soft drinks. Festive paper plates, cake stands, tablecloths, and serviettes would also add to the event. If budget allows, then providing a small gift for each attendee would be a lovely additional way of saying thank you!
Willows Counselling Service
Willows Counselling & Training is a leading provider of counselling services and counsellor training in Swindon, Wiltshire and the West of England. With over 30 years' experience of working in and supporting the community, Willows is passionate about supporting and empowering people facing mental health and wellbeing concerns.
Team size = Medium (6-10)