Swindon
Gather your Challenge troops and take a look at the projects available for you to pick from this year. Local charities in the Swindon area can't wait to invite you back for some DIY make-over magic, valuable virtual ventures, or some good old fashioned party planning!
Our five different project categories are displayed below. Each challenge will be marked with the icon most relevant to that particular project.
For each project we're providing up to £500 towards costs, so no fundraising required!
For all banking enquiries, please contact your ZCT Administrator, Marie Jones.
HOW TO BOOK
Call Mark Flay on 07812 265 497
#YouMakeitPossible #LoveVolunteering #Challenge2024
SWIN5 No Sleepers on the Job! (2)
The Challenge 
The charity has two low level raised beds that they would like to convert into two higher raised beds using railway sleepers secured 3-4 high. This would make the beds suitable for planting cut flowers and accessible for all groups that attend TWIGS. This will be heavy work for a team that has the confidence to convert the existing beds into new improved versions and to move existing and new soil into place too. The charity has the funding for the work and can order materials, but needs the power to make this happen.
The Recovery Tree - TWIGS
TWIGS is part of The Recovery Tree Charity and works to improve the mental wellbeing of people living in Swindon and surrounding districts by offering creative, therapeutic activities, both in the gardens and at the Olive Tree Café, which is another of the charity's projects.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN7 A Supportive Outdoors Revamp!
The Challenge
Baileys Farmhouse would like the help of a team to brighten up the space outside of the communal room, which would include planting three existing large planters, nine small planters, and three hanging baskets. They would also like two new window boxes supplied and planted for the office windows overlooking the complex. Other jobs required include, repainting the two existing picnic benches, cleaning the existing fake lawn, and adding decal stickers to the UPVC doors for each of the four flats to brighten them up. There are lots of jobs for a team with the ideas, skills, and energy! Project photos >
Baileys Farmhouse
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 = Large (10+)
SWIN8 Best Fest!
The Challenge 
The charity would like the help of a team to make a success of an idea they've wanted to make a reality since they were founded in 2020! Their first open day, which they have called Best Fest, will take place on Saturday 3 August between 12-6pm. They would appreciate as many helpers as possible on the day, for the various stalls and activities. Specifically, they would like you to host a tombola stall, a glitter art stall, and provide a couple of hamper prizes for the raffle on the day! Help this new charity draw in the crowds and raise awareness of the wonderful support they offer the young people of Swindon.
BEST - Be a Better You is a registered charity that started in 2020 with a clear vision - to provide a positive experience for young people with different social, emotional, and mental health barriers. This is achieved through sports training and 121 mentoring, supporting the young people they work with to go on to lead successful lives.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN9 A Relaxing Outdoor Space!
The Challenge
Cotswold House has asked for a team to help by purchasing and planting up a couple of wooden planters with bright seasonal flowers or small shrubs. These would be located near a couple of existing outdoor seating pods, which would benefit from a clean inside and out. The addition of four stepping stones to each pod would make them more accessible in wet weather, so that would be another job for your team on the day. There are two large picnic benches, and another bench, which would be cheered up with a light sanding and fresh coat of paint in a matching colour. Finally, if budget allows, they would appreciate an additional bench, as on nicer days patients, visitors, and employees enjoy the space. A large team can make this transformation wish list happen, with plenty of jobs for everyone. Project photos >
Cotswold House - Oxford Health NHS Trust
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 = Large (10+)
SWIN10 Primary Colours Required!
The Challenge 
The school would like a team to brighten up their playground area ,which has wooden playhouses, seating, and toys, in line with the colourful fence that is already vibrantly decorated. This would be a great Challenge for a large team that have a gift with a paintbrush, an eye for detail and time during the school holidays. Project photos >
Even Swindon PTA
Even Swindon Primary is a school where children feel safe within a happy stimulating and attractive environment, in which each child is encouraged to enjoy learning and develop a lively and enquiring mind. Their vision is 'Believe, Achieve, Inspire'.
Team size = Large (10+)
SWIN11 Make Sensory of this One!
The Challenge
The school has a small office that they would like your help to turn into a sensory room. This will include painting, the addition of sensory matting, and a colourful play parachute for interest on the ceiling. They can advise you on affordable sensory items that you can buy, such as bubble lamps, textured wall or floor tiles and activities that would suit the room. You will ideally need time during the school holidays to complete this transformation. Project photos >
Even Swindon PTA
Even Swindon Primary is a school where children feel safe within a happy stimulating and attractive environment, in which each child is encouraged to enjoy learning and develop a lively and enquiring mind. Their vision is 'Believe, Achieve, Inspire'.
Team size = Small (<6)
SWIN12 Supportive Hampers!
The Challenge 
The charity would like for a team to create 25 hampers for children they support that have had to flee an abusive environment with very little. Ideas of what to include would be comfort toys, modelling clay, Lego, fidget toys, sand trays, colouring books, pencils, and mindfulness-based cards, puzzles, or games. These resources will help them build rapport and trust with their keyworkers and help them towards overcoming traumas they have experienced.
FearFree Charity
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 = Small (<6)
SWIN13 Paint and Plant in Numbers!
The Challenge
Headway would like a team to take on a variety of tasks in their outdoor space, to include freshening up the existing furniture, pagoda, and shed provided through previous Challenges, so that it will look good for longer! They would also like existing and new wooden planters, painted and planted up, to add a splash of all round colour! Other tasks for a big enough team would include freshening up the existing pallet-built train display to the side of the building, so that it looks as good as new! Project photos >
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 = Large (10+)
SWIN14 Decorate with TLC!
The Challenge
Headway would like a team to decorate a room in their centre which needs a bit of TLC having been a woodworking room, previously. They would appreciate your help with transforming it into a multi-purpose space for employees to work, but also for informal meetings with clients and their families. If budget allows to source pre-loved soft furnishings, then they would recommend you contact CollectEco, who can offer a sustainable solution delivered for a small fee! Project photos >
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)
SWIN15 Boutique Office Vibes!
The Challenge
The charity would like their small office to be brighter and more welcoming, with the walls and wooden panelling needing preparation work before you paint it in the vibrant colours that they have in mind. They would like a feature wall with a vibrant wallpaper to compliment the selected colours and to give the space a more boutique vibe. The employees and visitors will all benefit from this improvement and will look forward to your team completing the transformation. Project photos >
Jubilee Gardens Project
The Jubilee Gardens Project is a registered charity, managed by a voluntary board of directors. It was set up to provide horticultural based education and training for adults who experience varying levels of learning disabilities.
Team size = Small (<6)
SWIN16 A Sustainable Forest Transformation!
The Challenge
The school has a large forest area that they would like to make better use of, with the help of an extra-large team. They want the children to benefit from being, learning, and safely exploring outside. The area needs tidying up and pallet seating, tables, and a mud kitchen created, with a selection of utensils. Other ideas include, bug hotels and other wildlife houses, which you could create by using recycled items to make this a sustainable Challenge and to ensure the children take an interest in the nature that surrounds their school. They already have pallets, tyres, and fallen trees that you could also use, but more might be needed, depending on your plans. Project photos >
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 = Large (10+)
SWIN17 The Big Outdoors!
The Challenge
The Year Two students at the school have a super-sized Challenge for a large team of all-rounders! They want to transform their outdoor play and learn area, by adding a small summerhouse. They want the picket fence that surrounds the outdoor areas painted, along with the existing shed and the new summerhouse, so they match and look nice and colourful! Other items on their wish list include, some large trays for indoor and outdoor play, and large building bricks. Finally, you could add interest to the outdoor wall panels with garden or nature themed decal stickers, that would make the whole area a much more colourful space for the kids to let off steam and be creative. Project photos >
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 = Large (10+)
SWIN18 Summer BBQ and Fun!
The Challenge
The charity needs a team of willing and able volunteers to help host their annual summer barbecue for around 60 people. This is the highlight of the Centre's social calendar and an opportunity to thank their dedicated team of volunteers, who support the delivery of their services every week. The team would need to provide supplies of sausages, burgers, bread rolls, and soft drinks, then help by cooking the food and providing music or entertainment to make the occasion enjoyable for all. The event allows the charity to get together to celebrate successes, share a bite to eat and, most importantly, provide a free opportunity for their clients to socialise, relax, and enjoy themselves.
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)
SWIN19 Don't Ruin this Playground Makeover!
The Challenge
The school has a large playground which has a large wooden castle that has seen better days. You might choose to come and restore the castle, replacing missing panels of wood or you might have other ideas and agree with the school that you will turn it into something else. Just don't ruin it! There are plenty of other jobs for as large a team as you can muster, such as restoring and painting existing benches and fences, freshening up floor art such as hopscotch and chess, and by adding decal stickers to the panelled walls facing the area to add colour and interest. If you made it this far and budget allows, then the school would love the addition of interactive wall boards and games. Project photos >
Nyland
Nyland is an SEMH primary school, that caters for the educational and additional needs of pupils aged between 5-11.
Team size = Large (10+)
SWIN20 An Olympic Offering!
The Challenge
Phoenix Enterprises are organising an Olympic themed summer sporting event, with a BBQ or picnic food, where 40 of their service users can take part in or watch a series of sporting and non-sporting activities. They would like for you to award an Olympic themed medal to the top three for each event. To be fully inclusive, medals for everyone that turns up would be a nice touch too! Can you take on this Olympic sized Challenge, which they plan to hold on Friday 9 August at Lydiard Park?
Phoenix Enterprises
Phoenix Enterprises (Swindon) Ltd is a social enterprise and registered charity whose aim is to provide a stepping stone to people with a wide range of mental health problems, into gainful employment. They guide the service users through a development pathway, including education, life skills, workplace, communication and teamwork skills. Their training includes healthy living, self confidence, money management and CV writing. The charity then tries to place them into employment and decrease their dependence on benefits.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN21 A Levelling Up Project!
The Challenge
The charity has an area to the side of the hospice that is need of levelling up and a little TLC. It will need a big team to pre-order the required materials, which will include gravel for drainage, topsoil, and turf on top! There is an existing large shed close by that they would like fenced in at the side and the back, with at least one access gate too. Once completed, the area will not only look better, it will be suitable for the charity to add a garden or picnic bench, which everyone can use when the weather is nice. Project photos >
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 = Large (10+)
SWIN22 You Raise Me Up!
The Challenge
The charity has four existing high planters which are starting to fall apart and beyond saving. The first task for your team would be to take these apart and dispose of the existing soil, which the gardening team will compost or use elsewhere. The next job on the list would be the addition of replacement raised planters, but ones on legs, so you need less compost. Once the planters are in place, then filling these with the right type of compost and replanting the bulbs from the previous planters would complete this aspect of the Challenge. The final task is to replace some existing fence panels behind this area with 10 feet of new fencing, which you can secure to the existing posts. Project photos >
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)
SWIN23 DIY All Stars Needed!
The Challenge
The charity needs to provide shelter for the visitors they support outside the new entrance to their on-site toilet, so they need a team to add either a freestanding structure with a roof or create one between the existing main building and a close by outbuilding. Others in the team could be sanding and painting six wooden doors and outdoor panelling to brighten up this farm-based site. You would have full access on a Wednesday of your choice, as the charity is closed, but there would be someone on site for the date you confirm with them in advance. Project photos >
Root and Branch Westmill
Root and Branch is an independent charity located in the Vale of the White Horse, providing activities, including therapeutic gardening and rural crafts, that promote recovery for people in Oxfordshire and Wiltshire who experience mental health difficulties.
Team size = Large (10+)
SWIN24 A Shed Load of Jobs!
The Challenge
The charity needs two large sheds painted to protect them from the elements for 2-3 more years. New fascia boards and other small repairs would also ensure the sheds ongoing survival. They also have a large pagoda which you would need to clean, lightly sand, and paint to brighten up a space that visitors the charity supports and the employees enjoy daily. You would have full access on a Wednesday of your choice, as the charity is closed but there would be someone on site for the date you confirm with them in advance. Project photos >
Root and Branch Westmill
Root and Branch is an independent charity located in the Vale of the White Horse, providing activities, including therapeutic gardening and rural crafts, that promote recovery for people in Oxfordshire and Wiltshire who experience mental health difficulties.
Team size = Large (10+)
SWIN25 A Jungle Parc Adventure
The Challenge
The school would like to take around 25 students to experience the Jungle Parc Xplorer Course at Lydiard Park, on an agreed date during the school term. There are discounts for school groups, so you will have enough money left over to provide a drink and a snack afterwards. The team will be able to watch or support the children from below and enjoy seeing them have a swinging jungle adventure.
St Luke's Academy
St Luke's Academy provides opportunities for students with a variety of social, emotional, and mental health challenges, to make progress academically and personally. They believe in providing all of their students with an education at a level and a pace that is appropriate to their needs, in a calm and nurturing environment. They also offer a vocational curriculum that is founded on the student's own core skills, that will help them to lead a successful adult life.
Team size = Small (<6)
SWIN26 A Big Garden Makeover!
The Challenge
Stonewater need the help of big energetic team for this garden makeover, where there are too many jobs to list! They would appreciate anything you can do to improve the large garden at Bow Court in Old Town, somewhere that those needing additional support call home. Jobs include, rejuvenating the existing wooden furniture, the addition of garden art or mirrors, tidying up and re-planting existing beds, creating two raised beds for a vegetable patch for the residents to tend to, and to provide six additional wooden planters, planted up to add a splash of seasonal colour. This isn't a job for the faint hearted! Project photos >
Stonewater
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 = Large (10+)
SWIN27 Picnic and Puzzles!
The Challenge
The charity needs your help to arrange a venue, sandwiches, sweet treats, and drinks for a weekend event for their volunteers, either side of the summer holidays. The volunteers will be challenged to complete the same jigsaw in teams, whilst they enjoy the tasty treats on offer. They will need 10 matching puzzles to make it a fair competition, which will be re-boxed and sold afterwards in their shop. A small prize for the winning team would be the final piece of this puzzling Challenge, which your team would be more than welcome to attend on the day. Alternatively, you can do all the up-front preparations and ensure that the food and drink is ready for collection or delivered in advance.
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)
SWIN28 Super Bowling!
The Challenge
The Bats would like to challenge a team to organise a tenpin bowling event, to include two games of tenpin, some food and a drink! The bowling teams will consist of up to ten players from Zurich and ten from Swindon Bats. Your team will be required to wear simulation glasses for part of each game to give you an idea of what some eye conditions are like. Are you ready to strike this one of 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)
SWIN29 Support this Summer Afternoon of Fun!
The Challenge
The charity would love to host a summer fun day for their carers, their dependents, and families for a couple of hours of fun starting around 1.30pm on Tuesday 20 August. There could be stalls, food and soft drinks, music, and activities, such as balloon modelling and face painting! The charity can collaborate with you to sort out the venue and will provide additional funding to support the event. They just need a team that can help deliver a fun and memorable afternoon!
Swindon Carers Centre
Swindon Carers Centre is a charitable organisation, which is part of the Carers Trust Network, established to provide help and support to the 21,000 unpaid carers in Swindon. They have a team of professionals and trained volunteers, who provide a wide range of support and services.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN31 Gifts, Goodies, Sleep, Repeat!
The 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, such as 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 = Flexible
SWIN32 STEP This Way For A Fun Day!
The Challenge
The charity would like your help to take 10-12 of their SEND service users for a visit to Lotmead Farm, where they can enjoy the outdoor play area, dairy parlour, nature trail, animal enclosure and the chance for them to pick their own fruits that are on offer. The charity is flexible with the dates during the first three weeks in August, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. This sounds like a fantastic way to spend 3-4 hours and members of your team could go along and meet and greet the charity when they arrive in their minibus.
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, such as 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)
SWIN33 Living the Wildlife!
The Challenge
The charity would love your help to organise a fun day out at the Cotswold Wildlife Park for around 12 of the young people they support. In addition to any 'monkey business' and 'having a giraffe', it would be great if you can provide a picnic lunch and a small treat each from the gift shop to make it a wild day out during the summer holidays.
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, such as 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)
SWIN34 A Festival of Fun!
The Challenge
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)
SWIN35 Paint in Numbers!
The Challenge
The charity runs a 21 flat refuge and have asked for an extra-large team that could paint the 2nd floor corridors, which in total is about sixty metres long! Another option is that we could offer this Challenge to three separate teams, who we could link up to each do a section of the corridors by utilising the same supplies and budget. Your efforts will be rewarded by the knowledge that you will leave behind a much brighter and inviting space for the people the charity supports. This can be booked by more than one team. Project photos >
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 = Large (10+)
SWIN36 A Flat Rate Transformation!
The Challenge
The charity runs a 21 flat refuge and normally need to arrange a quick freshen up of any of their flats when existing residents vacate them. As there is almost always a waiting list for their flats, the new occupants move in soon after. If a team steps up to decorate one of their flats, the charity will arrange for you to have access to brighten up as many rooms as you can in the available time. Help make a difference by brightening up the place they call home.
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 = Large (10+)
SWIN37 Summer Picnic, Fun, and Games!
The Challenge
The charity would love for a team to help them organise a picnic or BBQ, during the summer holidays. Up to 50 of the people they support would attend and the event would give them an opportunity to enjoy a fun packed day out. In addition to the food and drinks on offer, it would be great if you could lay on fun activities to take part in on the day, such as rounders, bowls, and cricket. Your team would be welcome to join them on the day, but the charity will have extra help on hand, if needed.
Swindon Downs 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 = Flexible
SWIN38 Just the Ticket
The Challenge
The charity would love for a small team to put together hamper prizes that they can raffle off to raise much needed funds for their speech and language therapy groups. Can you magic up four hampers of varying sizes, so they can raise as much as they can from their supporters!?
Swindon Downs 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)
SWIN39 A Virtual Cook-along!
The Challenge 
The charity would like a team to offer a virtual cook-along for around 15 of their members. You'd need to provide the ingredients for a simple dish, along with step-by-step instructions online for the young people to follow your lead. The charity will ensure that a responsible adult will be on hand to support each of the attendees!
Swindon Downs 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)
SWIN40 Time to Party!
The Challenge
The charity would like the help of a team to organise a summer party for their volunteers and staff to say thank you for all their hard work. Around 120 people volunteer their time during the year, operating food distribution centres to ensure that they can provide basic food items to those that are struggling. The charity will be happy to collaborate with you to finalise the details, but would be delighted if your team could help with a party, skittles evening, or late afternoon tea party. This is likely to be on a weekday around 4-6pm.
Swindon Food Collective
The Swindon Food Collective is an independent food bank that aims to help people in Swindon and surrounding area, who are suffering from financial hardship and finding it difficult to provide food for themselves, their family, or dependents.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN41 Summer Food Parcels!
The Challenge
The charity would like a team to provide the items for, and pack, 20 food parcels for the families they support, as they head into the summer holidays. They will give these food parcels to the families that will benefit from a free holiday at their 6 berth holiday home in Brean. The parcels should include, kids snack packs, drinks, crisps, treats, and other items of easy to prepare food and treats. If your team can spare additional time, then you could help within the shop, sorting and displaying goods.
Swindon Sisters Alliance CIC
Swindon Sisters Alliance was formed by a dedicated group that have personally experienced the loss of a loved one due to domestic violence and coercive controlling behaviour. The charity supports the people of Swindon and the surrounding area, who are currently experiencing or have experienced domestic violence.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN42 BBQ Fun in the Park!
The Challenge
The charity would like to challenge a small team to help them organise a BBQ at Lydiard Park, during the summer holidays for around 50 of their visitors, to give them an opportunity to socialise with others. They would need help with the costs for the BBQ pitches, transport and both halal and creative vegetarian food options for the BBQ! Another requirement would be for some fun activities and games for all ages to take part in on the day.
The Harbour Project
The Harbour Project provides support to refugees and asylum seekers in the Swindon Borough. They help people to navigate the asylum process, provide English lessons, plus women's and youth group sessions.
Team size = Medium (6-10)
SWIN43 A Mad Hatter's Tea Party!
The Challenge
The charity would like your help to organise a summer tea party for people in the Pinehurst community that they support and work with. It will be a ticketed event for up to 65 people and could be themed. One idea they had was a Mad Hatter's Tea Party! They would like your help to produce tickets and posters to help promote the event, but think sustainable and check if online ticketing would be an option. On the day, everyone should be able to enjoy the decorated café and tables, along with a selection of sandwiches, cakes, and treats suitable for everyone. Are you mad as a hatter and willing to take on this Challenge?
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 = Medium (6-10)
SWIN44 Swindon Summer Fun!
The Challenge
The charity would love a team to help them with a summer event or day out, such as a picnic in the park, bowling, or a cinema trip, for around 20 of the people they support in Swindon. Can you and a team organise an event that can give them something to look forward to?
The Nelson Trust
The Nelson Trust helps women thrive in their community and supports individuals recovering from addiction.
Team size = Small (<6)
SWIN45 All the Fun of the Fair!
The Challenge
The Open Door Centre members love to party! They would love for a team to host a summer BBQ and games for around 50 people at their centre in Gorse Hill, Swindon, with burgers and hot dogs on offer, along with carnival or fairground games with small prizes for the winners, such as sweets or chocolates and five star prizes too. Games could include hoopla, tin can alley, bean bag tossing, or any ideas you can come up with that will ensure they have a fantastic time. If you have money available, then a free raffle or tombola would go down a treat.
The Open Door Centre (Swindon and District) Ltd
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 = Medium (6-10)
SWIN46 Picnic and Fun in the Sun!
The Challenge
Underwood House would like for a team to help organise a fun day out at Lydiard Park for up to 50 people from the families they support. This could include picnic food, drinks, and fun games for them to enjoy. Old favourites, such as rounders and football, but other options, such as colouring and bubble wands for the younger children. Anything you can do to make it a day out to remember during the summer holidays, will be appreciated.
Underwood 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 = Small (<6)
SWIN47 A Cohesive Courtyard Space!
The Challenge
The charity has an enclosed courtyard area that they would like to make better use of and, once a team is on board, they will chat through the ideas they have for this space. These include, cleaning the moss that has formed on the ground, painting two existing benches, and lots of general tidying up to make the area more cohesive with clear areas for different purposes. They like the idea of creating a living wall, by hanging planters at the top of the tall fence they have, and the addition of suitable trailing plants. Another area could be set up with a sensory wall and bamboo windchimes. You'll be able to re-use existing items from the site, such as wind spinners and other decorations. If budget allows and new raised planting areas are in place, then the addition of fruit and vegetable plants would be the final piece of the jigsaw. Project photos >
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.
Team size = Large (10+)
SWIN48 Allot_ment To Do Here!
The Challenge
The school has recently been allocated an off-site school allotment to enhance their work experience offering to older students. They are looking for help to develop the site with work needed to make the entrance more accessible, by adding a step into the plot. They would also appreciate it if you could build a covered pergola for shelter, with wood chippings underneath, where you could place a picnic bench. If you have the people, energy, and skills, then the school would appreciate it if you could also create two new raised beds. There might be materials on site you can utilise, but you should be creative and see if you can source any pre-loved materials or items to deliver this super-sized Challenge for a big team. Project photos >
Uplands Special needs school
Uplands is a school for students aged 11-19 years old with severe learning and development needs or profound and multiple learning difficulties.
Team size = Large (10+)
SWIN49 A Multi-Purpose Makeover!
The Challenge
The charity would like a team to redecorate and refurnish one of their small meeting rooms. This will include repainting the room, with one wall being a feature wall in a relaxing warm colour that you can choose with the charity. The room would benefit from the addition of artwork, but also a small sofa and matching armchair, plus four brightly coloured office chairs. With your sustainability hat on, you might be able to source these locally from Upcycle Swindon, so another local charity would benefit from your efforts, as well as the planet! Overall, they want to make the space feel more relaxed and welcoming, but to maintain its flexibility with a multi-purpose makeover. Project photos >
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 = Small (<6)
SWIN50 Choo-Choose this one!
The Challenge
The charity supports Swindon veterans who currently have limited options for activities in and around Swindon. The charity would like the chance to take them sightseeing by train to Oxford Castle and Prison, with a guided tour and 2-3 hours free time to go shopping. You would need to cover entry fees and transport costs for around 14 veterans and any support staff and members of your team would be welcome to join them on the day too.
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 = Small (<6)
SWIN51 A Friday Paint Job!
The Challenge
The charity would appreciate the help of a small team to redecorate their accessible counselling room. This would include the purchase of two comfortable armchairs and replacement of the existing curtains and voile, with frosting for the windows to maintain privacy for the room. This will benefit their clients who are not able to access their upstairs rooms and help by making them feel more comfortable and relaxed to share their troubles. The charity doesn't use the room on Fridays, so this would be a good day for the transformation to take place. Project photos >
Willows Counselling & Training
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 = Small (<6)
SWIN52 Make Everything All White!
The Challenge
The charity would love for a team to decorate the hallway that connects their building, front to back, using a bright white paint to show the space off to its full potential. This is a simple, but effective, way to help make a difference for the charity, their employees, and visitors. Take on this Challenge and come and make everything 'all-white'! Project photos >
Willows Counselling & Training
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)
SWIN53 Summer Picnic And Fun!
The Challenge
The charity would like your help to organise a summer picnic in a local park, for 60-80 of their beneficiaries, during the summer holidays. They would appreciate it if you could provide sandwiches, fruit, treats, cakes, and drinks to cover all dietary needs. They will bring their large parachute game, but football and rounders would be great options too. Other activities, such as arts and crafts, where the young people could make something to take away with them, would also be popular.
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 = Medium (6-10)
SWIN54 Planning Ahead for 10!
The Challenge
The charity is starting to make plans for an awards evening and celebration, to mark their tenth anniversary in November. This will be an evening event and the charity would like a small team to chip in and offer help, advice, and support between now and the event. They would also like help with providing prizes for the winners that will be recognised on the night, and maybe a few raffle prizes too, if budget allows.
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 = Medium (6-10)