Lyneham: Expanded 'Wiltshire Connect' bus service to include Royal Wootton Bassett and Malmesbury areas

The Public Transport team at Wiltshire Council is pleased to advise that we will be extending our popular Wiltshire Connect on-demand bus service in the Royal Wootton Bassett and Malmesbury areas from Wednesday 23rd April.

The service can be used for journeys to Royal Wootton Bassett, Malmesbury and to any location in the operating area (see image above) which includes the Great Western Hospital, Orbital Retail Park and Kemble Railway Station.

Anyone can use Wiltshire Connect and our wheelchair accessible vehicles operate between 6am-8pm Mon-Fri and 8am-7.30pm on Saturdays.

Rides can be booked by using the Wiltshire Connect app or by phone on 01225 712900 (Please note: The app can be used to book rides from Tuesday 22nd April).

Wiltshire: Discover Wiltshire's Wonders with the new 2025 visitor map and guide

 

Visit Wiltshire has launched its new Visitor Map and Visitor Guide for 2025, offering a fresh perspective on exploring this captivating region.

Both the map and the guide are part of Visit Wiltshire's ongoing commitment to promote local tourism and support the region's economy. By providing up-to-date and accessible information, Visit Wiltshire aims to enhance the visitor experience and encourage more people to discover the unique charm of Wiltshire.

Click the images above to access each map, or follow the links below:

• Visitor guide

• Visitor map

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Gloucestershire: Support for families from HomeStart

 

Please click the image above to enlarge

For further information and links to each area as above, please visit the website: https://home-startgloucestershire.org.uk/

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

MOD Victim Witness Care Unit

 

The Defence Victim Witness Care Unit (VWCU) provides support and guidance for victims and witnesses during their journey through the Service Justice System.

Visit the website for more information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/victim-witness-care-unit-vwcu

NHS England - Armed Forces health stakeholder brief, Spring 2025

 

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NHS England’s Spring 2025 Armed Forces health stakeholder brief provides updates on the following topics:

• Op RESTORE, the NHS England-commissioned physical health and wellbeing service for veterans
• Op NOVA, the NHS England commissioned support service for veterans in the justice system
• The NHS Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA) Veteran Aware Annual Conference
• Step into Health - assisting with the transition from military service to careers within the NHS
• NHS SARCS: Care and support available to sexual assault and abuse survivors
• Latest primary care network veteran friendly accreditations

To read the brief in full please click here

Colerne: Updated Welfare opening times and contact information

 

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Colerne Station general enquiries (including those living in Colerne SFA but working elsewhere)

For general enquiries regarding house/flat bookings, park passes, etc. please visit the office during the above times. Alternatively please call or email via the details below:

• 01225 745210
• 21sig-colernestn-welfare-mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Chippenham: Social gardening and conversation for mental health

All this month the Wiltshire Mental Health Inclusion Service and Wiltshire Service Users' Network are highlighting autism and mental health in support of World Autism Acceptance Month.

The Chippenham Collective offers a variety of activities aimed at connecting people with nature and fostering a sense of community. In particular anyone who feels isolated on account of mental health issues, physical health conditions or neurodiversity (like autism or ADHD). For more information, visit: https://www.chippenhamcollective.co.uk/

Join us and the conversation all this month for more statistics, myth-busting, tips and highlighting of support in Wiltshire.

To access and download our Autism and Mental Health in Wiltshire booklet, visit: https://www.rethink.org/help-in-your-area/support-groups/wiltshire-wellbeing-cafes/

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Wiltshire: Happy Cafes will now be known as Wiltshire Wellbeing Cafes

Happy Cafés in Wiltshire are having a name change, and will now be called Wiltshire Wellbeing Cafés.

With the Rethink Wiltshire Mental Health Inclusion Service closing in June, we could no longer facilitate Happy Cafés on behalf of Action for Happiness. However, we are pleased to announce that the cafés will be able to continue as registered groups under Rethink Mental Illness - and mainly thanks to the wonderful Rethink volunteers.

Happy Cafés have always been part of the Action for Happiness movement, and although a great ethos we are no longer in the position to use this name. Current attendees and volunteers came to the decision of the new name: Wiltshire Wellbeing Cafés.

There is a dedicated email and webpage for the Wellbeing Cafés:
https://www.rethink.org/.../wiltshire-wellbeing-cafes/

As well as full details (locations and timings) of the Wellbeing Cafes, there are various publications such as mental health booklets available to download on the webpage.

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Stafford: Sandon Road Preschool Playgroup spaces available all year round (subject to availability)

 

Information provided by Stafford HIVE

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust latest round of grants - Serving Families 'On the Move' programme

A further three projects have been awarded bringing the total number to 14 projects worth over £1.25 million! These inclusive projects will improve the quality of life for service families affected by the difficulties and challenges relocation can bring, by implementing support for families not to just adapt but thrive in their new communities - in the latest round of grants from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund.

Tackling the challenges head-on, each of the projects is all about connecting families with local groups, services and activities; helping to build friendships and making sure service families have a community to lean on, so relocation doesn’t have to be such a struggle.

Our CEO Anna Wright says: “This funding in vital in ensuring service families feel supported, connected and empowered as they navigate the challenges of relocation. By having these projects, we’re strengthening communities and hopefully make every move a little easier.”

Connect, build and explore