Swindon is often the punchline of a joke. You’ll hear people say, “The best thing about Swindon is how close it is to other places.” Older Swindonians reminisce about a time when the town was thriving.

But we believe in a better story for Swindon — one made possible by the Swindon community. 

Right now, children and young people in Swindon face real challenges:

• 1 in 4 children live in poverty.

• 18–24 year olds are more likely to be unemployed.

• Children and young people are more likely to attend A&E due to self-harm, need additional support in education, and be affected by crime or exploitation.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

WAY is Swindon’s young person–led charity, creating lasting, positive change through high-impact, sustainable projects that help children and young people overcome disadvantage and thrive.

A donation of £500 enables WAY to support one child or young person facing disadvantage in Swindon for six months  — whether they’re experiencing a mental health crisis, affected by crime or violence, struggling to access education or employment, from a low-income family, or part of a marginalised community.

Together, we can help rewrite Swindon’s story.

*Sources: Swindon Joint Strategic Needs Assessment – Director of Public Health Annual Report 2024; Wiltshire & Swindon OCSI Needs Analysis 2023 (Wiltshire Community Foundation); Swindon Safeguarding Partnership All-Age Exploitation Strategy 2024–2027.