LOCAL community groups are making the festive season brighter for residents by offering vital services and support in the town.
Whether it’s providing food, advice, or a warm place to share a meal, there are a range of local organisations helping to ensure that no one feels alone or forgotten this festive season.
Groups offering essential help and support for those facing hardship include Westbury Area Network (WAN), which operates the town’s food bank, Crosspoint, the White Horse Day Centre and Westbury Library.
They encourage anyone who could benefit from their services or knows someone who might, to reach out and consider offering support through a donation or by volunteering.
Details about the services and support offered are as follows:
Westbury Food Bank
The Food Bank prepares emergency food parcels for members of the community on a referral basis, either as a one-off or as ongoing support.
“We’ve been very busy this year, probably 30% busier than last,” said Ian Cooper, chair of WAN. “We’re probably as busy now as we were during the year of the lockdown. We would like to thank all of you who kindly donate, either financially or with food. We honestly could not continue running the food bank without all your support.
“We are requesting that if you would like to make a donation to the food bank in the run-up to Christmas, we would really appreciate some of the more festive items, such as mince pies, Christmas puddings, Christmas cake, chocolates and sweets.
“It would mean that individuals and families who we support can enjoy this time of year with a little help from others. In recent years, we have had a number of local people who have decided not to send Christmas cards and have been very generous in donating to the food bank instead. We are always very grateful for those who choose the food bank as their chosen charity.
“At Christmas, apart from providing food parcels, our volunteers come together to wrap donated Christmas gifts, which are distributed to families with children we are supporting. It’s something we’ve done over the last two or three years and has been very well received, bringing a little Christmas cheer to local families.
“Any donations of food can be dropped off at the local supermarket collection points, Crosspoint in the Market Place, or All Saints’ Church, as well as our premises at the Westbury Community Project in Eden Vale Road. Any financial donations can be made via our website at westburyareanetwork.org.
“And if you would like to volunteer with the food bank, please come along and meet our friendly volunteers, who will be more than happy to tell you more about what we do. You can contact us by email at westburyareanetwork@gmail.com.
“The Trustees and volunteers at the Food Bank and Community Fridge wish you all season’s greetings and thank you once again for your continued support; it really does make a huge difference.”
White Horse Day Centre
For older residents, the White Horse Day Centre provides a hot meal and a chance to socialise every Thursday at Grassacres Hall. It offers a three-course lunch for £10, along with lively activities such as quizzes, bingo and games. The centre’s Christmas lunch on 19th December will feature a festive menu, a Christmas raffle, bingo and plenty of seasonal cheer. Organisers hope to see both familiar and new faces joining in the celebrations.
Christine Mitchell, the centre’s organiser, said, “The Day Centre is more than just a meal – it’s a place to meet up, laugh, and share memories. We’re thrilled to provide a little holiday magic for our visitors. We’d love to see you!
“The Christmas lunch is our last one of the year, and we re-open in the New Year on 9th January.”
For more details, call Christine Mitchell on 07891 432215 or email chr1st1ne_m1tchell@hotmail.com.
Crosspoint – warm space, financial and debt advice and counselling
Local charity Crosspoint is there for residents who may be struggling with the cold weather, financial pressures or loneliness during the holiday season.
Kevin Fairman, chair of the charity, says, “At Crosspoint’s welcome centre in the Market Place, we will be open to help people on the following days and times over the holiday season: 10am to 12.30pm on Friday 20th December and Saturday 21st December; 1.30 to 4pm on Monday 23rd December; and 10am to 12.30pm on Friday 27th December, Saturday 28th December, Monday 30th December, Friday 3rd January and Saturday 4th January.
“850 people have come to Crosspoint in 2024 with specific issues they need help with, including benefits, responding to formal letters from the government and other agencies, updating their CVs, etc. But some people drop into the centre more regularly and stay longer as it’s warm in Crosspoint, and home can often be cold.
“We also provide an affordable counselling service and have supported 100 people this year.
“For more information, please call the Crosspoint office on 01373 824330 and leave your name and a message or email info@crosspoint-westbury.co.uk. Peace and goodwill to all.”
Westbury Library also extends a warm welcome to all and provides a range of help, support, advice and comfort to people who may be struggling, or want tips to help with the cost of living.
It offers a free warm space to sit, stay and take part in activities along with free energy advice and details of community partners who can support you through the rising cost of living, as well as free access to books, newspapers, wi-fi, computers and digital support.
They also offer ‘Tea and Chat’ every Friday, 2.30pm-3.30pm for a cup of tea and a chat and a ‘Read Share Listen’ event every Tuesday at 11am for a relaxing hour of reading out loud. “Bring along some pieces of writing to share (from books, magazines, newspapers etc) or simply sit back, listen and enjoy,” says the library.
For more information, call 01373 822294 or email libraryenquiries@wiltshire.gov.uk
