Wiltshire Council’s Area Boards and partners celebrate community impact with exciting projects across Wiltshire

Wiltshire Council's Area Boards continue to fund projects and events designed to support and improve the lives of people living in Wiltshire with a number of recent positive outcomes.

Last year they were involved in and supported local groups and organisations to deliver a wide range of projects from keeping residents healthy, supporting people through the cost-of-living crisis and providing activities for young people.

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Cabinet Member for Communities, said “All our Area Boards have provided support and played a key role on a wide range of important local priorities and issues recently, such as the cost-of-living crisis and supporting positive activities for young people.

"These initiatives reflect Wiltshire Council’s continued commitment to supporting local projects that enhance community cohesion, improve public spaces throughout the county and foster connections across diverse groups in Wiltshire. Our Area Boards are proud to play a key role in the heart of our communities and we look forward to more successful partnerships in the future.”

Below are some examples of the projects enabled by our local area boards. 

Salisbury Area Board

Salisbury Underpasses Community Artwork Project

Thanks to funding from Salisbury Area Board youth grants and Youth Action Wiltshire, young people from Salisbury came together to create vibrant murals in the Friary and St Anne Street underpasses. Collaborating with local artist Fred Fieber, the mural designs included a tribute to famous musical performers and an imaginative insect theme. The project has been met with widespread appreciation from passers-by, not only for the incredible artwork but also for the sense of safety and community it has brought to these previously underutilized spaces.

South West Wiltshire Area Board

Broad Chalke’s New Playground

In a rural part of South West Wiltshire, the new playground in Broad Chalke opened its gates thanks to funding from the South West Wiltshire Area Board. The modern facility provides a much-needed amenity for families, offering a place for children to play and explore in this beautiful but isolated village.

Southern Wiltshire Area Board

Community Celebration and Longford Primary School

Around 100 people enjoyed a Celebration of Community event at Longford Primary School, helped by teams from Wiltshire Council, local activity providers, faith leaders, Salisbury Hospital’s Artcare team, Salisbury Library, Tall Tree Theatre, a musical duo and Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service delivering a fun filled afternoon for pupils and their families.  This special event, funded by Britford Parish Council and the Southern Wiltshire Area Board, was organised to celebrate the broad spectrum of diverse communities which enrich the life of this local school.

Stonehenge Area Board

Christmas concert in Amesbury

Festive fun, food and music was enjoyed at the Christmas concert event held at Antrobus House, Amesbury. The event was run as part of the Stonehenge Health and Wellbeing Group's activities in partnership with Celebrating Age Wiltshire and was funded through the Stonehenge Area Board. Over 100 local older members of the community enjoyed festive melodies from the Salisbury Big Band and Father Christmas even made an appearance!

Area Boards are a way of working to bring local decision-making into the heart of the community and they play a key role in helping Wiltshire Council achieve its Business Plan priorities, such as 'supporting Wiltshire to be a place where we stay active' and 'live well together'.

There are 18 Area Boards across Wiltshire, with each one holding delegated powers and devolved budgets to facilitate community action at a local level. They work alongside other organisations on local priorities in the community. These groups can include town and parish councils, voluntary and community groups, youth organisations, sports clubs and local charities.

For more information about Area Boards please visit the Wiltshire Council website at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/6142/Introduction or follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wiltsareaboard.