We fully support the work of BLM and are strengthened in our work by the new young voices who have put the anti-racism struggle back where it belongs in the hands of communities.  But how sad it has taken so many unjust killings of black people to do this!  For help understanding  Black Lives Matter see this guide, A Parents Guide to Black Lives Matter bbe7ffc3189d3c66c1d519f9672b485e

Now available on recent posts

Community Development Worker – WWCC  see below. CD 15/2/2019

Any problems please send an email to wiltsrec@gmail.com

WWCC personal specification  WREC Online-Application-Form- for Community Development Worker  Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form (2)

Wiltshire Racial Equality Council (charity no.900383)

Community Development Worker for the West Wilts Community Club (WWCC), six month contract –  4 hours a week- £11.45 per hour. CD 15/2/2019

Can you work to prevent loneliness and isolation, arrange social activities, do home visits for the older African-Caribbean community of the WWCC. The CDW role is to make sure that individuals can keep in touch with friends, access services, as well as making sure additional needs are noted and referrals made.  The role is based around arranging a monthly lunch club, home visits in the West Wiltshire area and supervising some volunteers.  Home or office based .

This role is funded by the Trowbridge Health & Wellbeing Group.  Closing Date:               Friday 15^th February 2019.

WREC also welcome volunteers – Can you provide 2- 4 hours a week or monthly?  Skills needed: supporting people, advice work, IT and social media, board members and fundraising- all expenses paid.

To have a informal chat about what we can offer you or to get an application form, please get in touch with WREC by email  wiltsrec@gmail.com or  Ansaphone 01225 766439

Our data protection policy is available to all.  Also have a look at our easy read version. Data Protection 2018 final 

Data Protection easy read

Wiltshire REC has just been awarded funding for 2018 by Wiltshire Community Foundation to continue its services across Wiltshire.  We hope to continue to make a difference for local people.

We are trying to raise money to get the Open Blue Bus to come to Diary House Bridge in May or June 2018. The open Blue Bus already goes to Thingley in North Wiltshire because they have easy access.  But it would be great if this brilliant ‘play bus’ could be available for  Salisbury too!  April 2018 open blue letter 1

Those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities can experience great degrees of loneliness.
In one 217 report by the Campaign to End Loneliness they found: ‘For those born overseas, cultural barriers can arise from both sides: they may feel disconnected from their country of birth, but not comfortable in the British culture their children were born into…. It’s hardly surprising that 36% of older BME people responding to one survey said they’d like more companionship and contact with others. But how can we make sure BME people do not face old age feeling alone?’ https://www.runnymedetrust.org/blog/loneliness-and-older-people-from-bme-groups
Although some families are multi-generational or close knit, this is not always the case. I want to focus on the increasing number of older individuals or couples who face old age alone. There are many reasons that increase this problem, but for areas like Wiltshire, when children move away to look for work, and the older parents are left. There are also everyday problems of low income and poor health which can pay a particular part in people becoming cut off not just from their own community but from neighbours and wider society. So what can be done?
Care plans should include questions about how do you socialize? but recipients of social care have to be confident to talk about this. Ask about your neighbours if you haven’t seen them for a while. When you’re at an event look around and see who’s missing and find out why! When community events are organised, find out who needs a taxi, wheelchair services or a carer or volunteer to sit with them? Above all let’s start asking older people who live alone, what they would like to happen and not just take this problem for granted.