Essential volunteer run social service saved!
More by luck than judgement

Survived for another year. Alyson Cardis, front, with mums and children at the West Swindon Family Project

The West Swindon Family and Community Project was one of three family centres in the town targeted for cut backs by Swindon Council in its attempt to keep council tax down. Although it has been saved for this year, project manager Alyson Cardis explains why West Swindon families need a place independent of the council run Social Services Department.

"There is a perception that West Swindon is an affluent area, populated by people who don't have problems and difficulties in their lives and never need advice and support.

This is exacerbated by the fact that funding aimed at improving children's life chances, such as Sure Start, The Children's Fund and Children's Centres, goes elsewhere in Swindon, as does money to support and regenerate communities.

West Swindon does not have to contend with issues of need and deprivation on the scale experienced by other communities in the town. But individuals have similar experiences which are often hidden within this more wealthy area. There are equally entrenched issues such as isolation, stigmatisation, dislocation of communities and a lack of a sense of belonging.

The loss of a family centre in any part of the town would be a tragedy for families, but in West Swindon it would mean the loss of one of the few remaining symbols of an intent by Swindon Borough Council to value its people and invest in its children.

People who associate with the centre, or who have been in the past, expressed this opinion in their own way, by writing to the Leader of the council about the recent budget proposals.

Thanks to the efforts and support of all these people, we will be around for a while longer and are looking forward to extending our services during this year.


Over 20 years in the community

The project started life in 1980 under the umbrella of the National Children's Home (NCH) with funding from Thamesdown and Wiltshire County Councils. It moved to the 'house' at 15 Gainsborough Way, Freshbrook, in 1986 and was made an independent, locally managed project in 1995. The management committee secured a lottery grant at the end of 1998 to purchase the house which was extended and converted for disabled access in 2001.

The project offers support and advice for families, and runs several well attended groups for children, parents and young mums in particular. New College runs basic skills classes for people wanting to improve their English and Maths. The community fund lottery grant will allow the appointment of an outreach worker to work with families in Toothill both individually and in groups. A drop-in group for parents at Toothill School is planned for later this year.

Contact the project on 871303, familyproject15@tiscali.co.uk



The council should be clear that voluntary organisations deliver the goods

Swindon has a thriving, energetic non-statutory sector providing care, support, advice and information to its population, doing the things local authorities cannot or should not do because of cost or bureaucracy.

But year after year they are considered the soft target to reduce council spending, despite being rigorously examined by council officers to justify grant support. Just as central government is keen to see non-statutory organisations take on more responsibility, Swindon Council seems as keen to cut them back.

The non-statutory sector appears to be a pawn in a wider political game being played in a council where no party is in full control.

There was drama in the council chamber on 12 February when the Tory 6.3% council tax rise proposal was defeated and the Labour/Lib Dem 7.5% hike was passed on the Mayor's casting vote - thereby avoiding up to £750,000 cuts to voluntary and arts organisations.

Chris Lau, director of Voluntary Action Swindon, has severe doubts about the council's understanding of the contribution made by such organisations. "Voluntary organisations are an easy target for the council and it does not see them as key players in a partnership working to provide front line services to the community. If the voluntary sector needs to be modernised, I think the council's financial management should do the same."