The Trowbridge Area Board met to discuss community grants, appointments to outside bodies and updates from partners including Wiltshire Police and the Family Hub Wiltshire Council. Councillors were also scheduled to discuss the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector and Wiltshire Council framework, and the Local Highways and Footway Improvement Group.

Area Board Funding

The Trowbridge Area Board was scheduled to discuss funding applications for community projects. There was a total of £34,664.00 remaining in the Community Area Grants budget, £29,844.00 in the Young People Grants budget, and £7,700.00 in the Older & Vulnerable People Grants budget.

The following Older and Vulnerable People Grants were up for consideration:

• Trowbridge Service Users Group - £2,178 for the Trowbridge Service Users Group, described as:

  The Trowbridge Service Users Group is a community-centered organization committed to supporting individuals with mental health challenges... The organization's mission is to promote mental well-being, reduce isolation, and empower individuals to lead healthier, more socially connected lives.

• Families Out Loud - £4,800 for Trowbridge Client Support, described as:

  Families Out Loud is a Wiltshire charity working with families challenged by someone else's drug and alcohol dependency, supporting them to bravely build a better life.

The following Young People Grants were up for consideration:

• All in the Therapy of Music LTD - £500 for All in the Therapy of Music, described as:

  A wellbeing and mental health based project delivering creative development projects to all young people between 12 and 16.

• Trowbridge Child Wellbeing Partnership - £5,000 for TeenTrowbridge, which is:

  The project is to hold an event for young people 11 to 18 and SEND up to 24 on the weekend of 19th to 21st September 2025. The main focus would be a a large marquee to be sited on Stallards Park, which would have staging, a large screen and a variety of supporting equipment to support a range of activities such as live performances, film screenings, silent discos etc.

• Trowbridge Future - £4,542 for Music at Mill Street. Trowbridge Future opened a dedicated youth space in Mill Street in 2024. The funding would introduce music to the sessions at the Mill Street venue.

• Thriving Through Venture - £4,920 for Thriving Through Venture TTV. John of Gaunt School have requested a series of resilience courses for young people finding it difficult to attend school, academic life, socializing and coping with emotions.

• Wiltshire Youth for Christ - £500 for August Youth Pop Up Week in Trowbridge. They plan to run another free pop up week for young people in Stallards Park, Trowbridge, for the week 18-25th August 2025.

Appointments

The Trowbridge Area Board was scheduled to appoint lead members to outside bodies and non-working groups. The report pack included the terms of reference for the Local Highways and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG). The Area Board was also scheduled to consider appointing a lead member to the role of Area Board Environment Lead and Youth Lead.

Partner Updates

The Trowbridge Area Board was scheduled to note written reports and receive updates from:

• Wiltshire Police
• Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service
• Child Friendly Trowbridge
• Trowbridge Future
• Family Hub Wiltshire Council
• Town and Parish Council Nominated Representatives

Wiltshire Police

The Wiltshire Police report included updates from February to April 2025, and a road safety update.

The Wiltshire Police Violence Against Women and Girls quarterly report for winter 2024/2025 noted that Wiltshire Police are working with the Ending VAWG Coalition Wiltshire (E-VAWG). They have started offering domestic abuse perpetrators who are in custody at Swindon's Gablecross police station the opportunity to work with Open to Change¹. The report also mentioned Project Vigilant, which aims to keep people safe in the nighttime economy through using intelligence to identify people who are displaying concerning behaviours and stop predatory sex offenders who are looking to target women.

Family Hub Wiltshire Council

The Family Hub Wiltshire Council report included information about St John Ambulance, future one off sessions, a future community project, ongoing work, and parenting groups.

The Family Navigator will be available at Willowbrook School at pick up and drop off once a month to engage with families.

Local Highways and Footway Improvement Group

The Trowbridge Area Board was scheduled to note the minutes from the last LHFIG meeting held on 6 February 2025.

At that meeting, the LHFIG agreed to commit:

• £900 (£300 from Southwick Parish Council) for Speed Indication Device (SID) infrastructure in Southwick, 3 sockets 2 posts
• £3,500 (with a request for a £500 contribution from Grove School) for hardstanding at Hazel Grove adjacent to layby outside Grove School

Information Items

The Trowbridge Area Board was asked to note the following information items:

Wiltshire Community Air Network

The Environmental Control & Protection team are preparing to launch a new citizen science air quality monitoring project that will place more than one hundred low-cost air quality sensors in communities across Wiltshire for one year. The sensors will measure PM2.5² air pollution.

Age UK Wiltshire Newsletter

The newsletter included information about:

• A new partnership with KFR, offering a unique and innovative change to the way house clearances are carried out in the county.
• Friendship across generations at Padwell Road Day Centre in Southampton.
• The Big Knit tiny hat update.
• Wellbeing checks with meals continues to grow in Southampton.
• Helping older people boost their income.
• A new project to support older people in Trowbridge and Bradford-on-Avon.
• Melksham News' Person of the Year Award nomination for Sue Drew, the Club Leader of our Corsham and Melksham Fitness & Friendship Clubs.
• A concert to remember at the Royal Wootton Bassett Monday Friendship Club.
• The Bradford-on-Avon Charity Shop is moving next door.
• The new Carers Together Wiltshire newsletter.
• Age UK Wiltshire is a Living Wage Employer.
• A request for donations to Age UK Wiltshire charity shops with information points.

Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector and Wiltshire Council Framework

A new partnership framework between Wiltshire Council and the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector is a key objective for both parties. The Wiltshire Council Business Plan states that it will 'implement a new working agreement with the voluntary and community sector' and that it aspires to 'champion working in partnership across the public and voluntary and community sectors'.

Community First

Community First delivers vital programmes and services for people and communities in Wiltshire and Swindon. Programmes include Youth Action Wiltshire, employability programmes, community development, outdoor education, grants and enterprise, Carers Together Wiltshire.

Understanding Dementia Sessions

Alzheimer's Support is rolling out its dementia awareness programme across Wiltshire, thanks to a grant from the National Lottery. The one-hour sessions are designed to help people find out more about dementia, how it can affect people, and the small things people can do to help.

Update from BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

The update included information on Covid-19 spring booster vaccinations and drop-in sessions planned for people to find out more about new Trowbridge Integrated Care Centre.

Wiltshire Police VAWG Quarterly Update

This document is to provide progress updates to our communities regarding how the police are tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

Local Sponsorship Request for SEND Fest 2025

SEND Fest is a vibrant, inclusive festival taking place on 20 September 2025 at the Wiltshire Music Centre, designed specifically to celebrate and support children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), along with their families and carers.