Wiltshire is home to a wide range of community projects that help people feel supported, connected and involved in local life. From youth services and family support to food aid, disability advocacy, wildlife volunteering and emergency care, these projects show the strength of local communities across towns, villages and rural areas. They matter because they respond to real local needs, often in practical, welcoming and highly personal ways. The projects below offer a useful starting point for anyone looking to find help, give time, raise funds or get more involved in community life across Wiltshire. (Community First)
1. Youth Action Wiltshire Young Carers Service
Area served: Across Wiltshire
What it does: This service supports young carers and young adult carers, helping them feel safer in their caring role and giving them opportunities to achieve and thrive. (Community First)
Who it helps: Children and young people who help care for someone at home. (Community First)
Why it matters locally: Young carers often take on big responsibilities quietly. Support like this helps reduce isolation and makes sure their needs are recognised. (Community First)
How to get involved: Support the charity, donate, or explore Youth Action Wiltshire’s wider work and campaigns. (Community First)
Website/contact: Community First – Youth Action Wiltshire Young Carers Service. (Community First)
2. Doorway Wiltshire
Area served: Chippenham and wider Wiltshire
What it does: Doorway offers safe, supportive spaces for people aged 16+ affected by homelessness or marginalisation, including drop-ins, advice and practical support. (Doorway Wiltshire Ltd)
Who it helps: People facing homelessness, poor mental or physical health, debt, substance use, learning difficulties or other complex challenges. (Doorway Wiltshire Ltd)
Why it matters locally: It provides a non-judgemental route into help, stability and better life chances for people who may otherwise fall through the gaps. (Doorway Wiltshire Ltd)
How to get involved: Volunteer, support the Friends of Doorway, or donate. Doorway says it has a strong volunteer network supporting its work. (Doorway Wiltshire Ltd)
Website/contact: Doorway Wiltshire, Chippenham, telephone 01249 445385. (Doorway Wiltshire Ltd)
3. Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity
Area served: Wiltshire and Bath
What it does: The charity provides critical medical care by land and air across the area. (Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity)
Who it helps: Anyone in need of urgent critical care in the region. (Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity)
Why it matters locally: Fast-response emergency care can be lifesaving, especially across a county with rural areas, busy roads and dispersed communities. This is a charity-funded service, so local backing matters. (Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity)
How to get involved: Visit, donate, fundraise, take part in challenge events or support campaigns. (Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity)
Website/contact: Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity. (Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity)
4. Age UK Wiltshire
Area served: Across Wiltshire and Swindon
What it does: Age UK Wiltshire supports older people through services, activities, advice and wellbeing support, including help to connect with local social activities. (Age UK)
Who it helps: Older people who may need advice, companionship, practical support or help staying active and connected. (Age UK)
Why it matters locally: It helps reduce loneliness, supports independence and makes later life more manageable and more connected. (Age UK)
How to get involved: Volunteer, donate, join activities, support campaigns or help spread the word. (Age UK)
Website/contact: Age UK Wiltshire. (Age UK)
5. Salisbury Foodbank
Area served: Salisbury, Amesbury, Downton, Bemerton Heath, Durrington, Wilton, Tidworth and surrounding areas
What it does: Salisbury Foodbank provides emergency food through multiple centres across the area. (Salisbury Foodbank)
Who it helps: Individuals and families facing financial hardship or food crisis. (Salisbury Foodbank)
Why it matters locally: Foodbanks are a vital safety net for households under pressure and often work closely with advice services and referral agencies. (Salisbury Foodbank)
How to get involved: Donate food or money, volunteer, or support referral pathways. (Salisbury Foodbank)
Website/contact: Salisbury Foodbank. (Salisbury Foodbank)
6. Devizes & District Foodbank
Area served: Devizes, Marlborough, Pewsey and surrounding villages in SN8, SN9 and SN10
What it does: This foodbank provides emergency food to people in crisis and offers clear routes for donations, volunteering and support. (devizesdistrict.foodbank.org.uk)
Who it helps: People and families in short-term financial crisis. (devizesdistrict.foodbank.org.uk)
Why it matters locally: In rural and market-town communities, practical help with food and household essentials can make an immediate difference. (devizesdistrict.foodbank.org.uk)
How to get involved: Donate food, donate money, volunteer or help signpost people to support. (devizesdistrict.foodbank.org.uk)
Website/contact: Devizes & District Foodbank, Unit 4, Glenmore Business Centre, Waller Road, Devizes, SN10 2EQ. (devizesdistrict.foodbank.org.uk)
7. Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
Area served: Across Wiltshire
What it does: Wiltshire Wildlife Trust offers practical volunteering and conservation opportunities that help protect local wildlife and habitats. (wiltshirewildlife.org)
Who it helps: Local wildlife, habitats and communities who want healthier green spaces and more opportunities to connect with nature. (wiltshirewildlife.org)
Why it matters locally: Nature recovery, outdoor learning and community volunteering all strengthen local places and improve wellbeing. (wiltshirewildlife.org)
How to get involved: Join as a volunteer, take part in conservation work or explore organised activity days. (wiltshirewildlife.org)
Website/contact: Wiltshire Wildlife Trust volunteering page. (wiltshirewildlife.org)
8. Julia’s House Children’s Hospice
Area served: Wiltshire, based in Devizes
What it does: Julia’s House provides hospice care and support for seriously ill children and their families. (Care Quality Commission)
Who it helps: Children with life-limiting or complex conditions and the families who care for them. (Care Quality Commission)
Why it matters locally: Families facing extraordinary challenges need specialist care, compassion and practical support close to home. (Care Quality Commission)
How to get involved: Donate, fundraise, support awareness campaigns or back hospice services. (Care Quality Commission)
Website/contact: Julia’s House, Bath Road, Devizes, Wiltshire SN10 2AT, telephone 01380 562525. (Care Quality Commission)
9. Youth Adventure Trust
Area served: Wiltshire, Swindon and Somerset
What it does: The Youth Adventure Trust uses outdoor adventure and one-to-one support to help young people build resilience, confidence and life skills. (Youth Adventure Trust)
Who it helps: Young people facing challenges in their lives who may benefit from encouragement, confidence-building and trusted support. (Youth Adventure Trust)
Why it matters locally: It gives young people memorable experiences, stronger self-belief and practical support that can shape their future in a positive way. (Youth Adventure Trust)
How to get involved: Donate, take part in challenge events or support fundraising activity. (Youth Adventure Trust)
Website/contact: Youth Adventure Trust. (Youth Adventure Trust)
10. Alabaré Riverside Sanctuary
Area served: Wiltshire, based in Salisbury
What it does: Riverside Sanctuary is a free mental health and wellbeing drop-in for people aged 16+ living in Wiltshire, open every day of the year from 4 pm to 11 pm. (Alabaré)
Who it helps: People in mental health crisis or those struggling with their mental wellbeing. (Alabaré)
Why it matters locally: Accessible, compassionate mental health support can prevent escalation and give people somewhere safe to turn when they need help most. (Alabaré)
How to get involved: Donate, fundraise or support Alabaré’s wider work in Wiltshire. (Alabaré)
Website/contact: Riverside Sanctuary, 2 Watt Road, Salisbury SP2 7UD, email [email protected]. (Alabaré)
11. Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living
Area served: Across Wiltshire
What it does: Run by disabled people for disabled people, Wiltshire CIL supports choice, control and independent living. (Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living)
Who it helps: Disabled people, including young people moving into adulthood and others seeking more independence, advocacy or practical support. (Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living)
Why it matters locally: Disabled people benefit from peer-led support that is rooted in lived experience, rights and independence. (Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living)
How to get involved: Contact the team, support their work or share opportunities with people who may benefit. (Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living)
Website/contact: Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living. (Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living)
12. Families Out Loud
Area served: Across Wiltshire
What it does: Families Out Loud supports families affected by someone else’s drug or alcohol use through online and in-person services, including one-to-one support and counselling. (Families Out Loud)
Who it helps: Adults and young people affected by a family member’s or friend’s substance misuse. (Charity Register)
Why it matters locally: Addiction affects whole families, not just individuals. Support for relatives and carers can reduce stigma, distress and isolation. (Families Out Loud)
How to get involved: Donate, refer someone, share their details or help raise awareness of family-focused support. (Families Out Loud)
Website/contact: Families Out Loud. (Families Out Loud)
How to Get Involved in Community Life in Wiltshire
Getting involved in community life in Wiltshire does not have to mean making a huge commitment. You could volunteer for a few hours a month, donate food or funds, join a local activity group, attend a fundraiser, support a neighbourhood project or simply share trusted information with someone who needs help. Wiltshire also has local volunteering and community information hubs that make it easier to find opportunities close to home. Exploring these routes can be a good first step if you want to feel more connected to your area and support causes that matter locally. (wiltshire.gov.uk)
Final Thoughts
Community projects across Wiltshire make a real difference every day. They help children, older people, carers, families, disabled people, people in crisis, and local neighbourhoods looking to stay connected and resilient. Whether you choose to volunteer, donate, fundraise, partner with a charity or simply learn more about what is happening near you, there are many ways to play a part. Even small acts of involvement can help local projects grow their reach and strengthen community life across Wiltshire. (Community First)
