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The station provides a 24-hour, seven days a week service and has done since its launch on 15th March 2008 at Swindon Town Football Club. Now based at the Liden Centre, east Swindon, it continues to be funded by grants, donations, fundraising activities and corporate support as well as, after campaigning, opportunities for a percentage of advertising and programme sponsorship.
Station manager Shirley Ludford said:“ In addition to on-air broadcasts we provide a unique off-air programme of training and volunteering, with many inspiring success stories of individual achievement. SWINDON 105.5 is a totally inclusive and accessible not-for-profit organisation which
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sees between 100-120 volunteers of all ages and abilities involved at any time. An increasing number of young people with autisim, learning difficulties or anxiety are benefitting from placements. Three students were selective-mutes and are developing confidence through the Station, getting their voices heard. Other young people gain experience to go on to further education and employment.
“ Business and retired people from all industries come in and learn something new. We are open to all and even the new local vicar is now also training so he can reach young people in a more creative way.”
Throughout the years, the Station has gained much respect with visits
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from Royalty, Ministers, celebrities, Lord Lieutenants, High Sheriffs, MEPs, been featured by various TV companies; has as its Patrons actress Whoopi Goldberg, Boyzone member Shane Lynch, TV music composer( including Eastenders) Simon May and local businessman James Phipps who represents business and community links.
The latest initiative is to develop ambassadors – representatives of business and community who would support and promote the Station; six key people have signed up at the first meeting and the Station would like to see a dozen ambassadors. If interested call Shirley to find out more.
On the day of writing this, two college
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teams comprising some ex volunteers were filming short documentaries about the station as part of their course work, which will be shown on the Station’ s youtube site.
For more info: www. swindon1055. com
@ Swindon105 _ 5
info @ swindon1055. com 01793 611555
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A couple of years ago we decided to move across the country to be closer to family. In the process of doing so, changes in the mortgage market forced us to revise our plans and buy a more modest home until our income was more secure.
Downsizing was something we had planned to do when the children left home. But now it gave us options, something we had never anticipated with a young family.
I had really struggled with stress and anxiety in my previous career and the
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opportunity to make a career change and achieve some degree of work life balance was very appealing. We decided that I would benefit from being a stay at home Dad until I found a suitable role and then we would look again at our circumstances.
I turned my attention to the charity sector and we decided I should volunteer for a year to gain some experience.
I was drawn to the work of Business Against Poverty, a small, local charity helping to change the lives of disadvantaged people and
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communities around the globe.
Key to the charity’ s vision are the partnerships it builds with local businesses. Each Business Against Poverty sponsor becomes part of a community of organisations which help to fund a range of projects driving sustainability.
Last year Business Against Poverty completed a five year project to build a micro farm in Romania. I will be visiting later this month to see more of this great work in action.
Our move towards achieving a work life balance was initially the result of circumstance
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rather than planning. Sacrifices have had to be made but despite these our new life is working for us. We are happy and thankfully my health is improving.
As a family we have learned that we can adapt and that change, even when it surprises you, can be just what is needed.
www. businessagainstpoverty. com www. peopleagainstpoverty. com
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@ businesspoverty |