Any person can get involved in making a difference to their community. You don't need any special experience or qualifications, just an idea of what you want or need and the desire to do something about it.

There are hundreds of ways you can get involved and have your say about issues affecting your local area, this could be about anything from school provision, policing, housing developments, anti-social behaviour and traffic, to street lighting, refuse collection and adult education.

If you do decide that you'd like to have your say on the shaping of your community, keep your eye on opportuntities for involvement on empower Swindon and if any of them are of interest either contact the person relating to the particular opportunity, or go to the Contact Us page for details of how to find out more.

Opportunities for Involvement in MAY

Type of Opportunity	Purpose	Date/Time	Contact Name	Phone	eMail	Other Info
Consultaton on Third Sector Development Strategy	Give your views and comments on the draft strategy which sets out a vision for the future of the voluntary and community sector in Swindon.	Until 12th September 2008.	Caroline Cooper	01793 539398	ccooper@swindon.gov.uk	Consultation Letter / Draft Strategy / Feedback Form For other formats, please contact Caroline Cooper.
Volunteering at Great Western Hospital	Assist permanent staff at the hospital and help patients and visitors.	Ongoing	Natalie Prinsloo	01793 605248	fundraising.voluntaryservices@smnhst.nhs.uk	GWH Webpage
Consultation Questionnaire on Swindon's Parks	Give your view on Swindon's parks and green spaces and help make decisions about future developments and management.	Until October 08	Parks Manager	01793 445500	None	News Webpage
Member of SBC Standards Committee	Set codes of conduct, issue guidance, consider complaints, and hold hearings into allegations against Borough and Parish Councillors.	Quarterly meetings	Stephen Taylor	01793 463012	staylor@swindon.gov.uk	News Webpage
Swindon Intermediate Care Centre (SwICC) User & Carer Forum	Work with staff to suggest and support service development and improvements.	Bi-montly 2 hour meetings	Judith McLain	01793 605530	None	SwICC Webpage
Better Lives in Swindon (BLIS) self-advocacy group for adults with learning disabilities	Make the most of your rights and choices and have your views represented on both the Learning Disability Partnership Board and within wider consultation and engagement opportunties.	Ongoing	Hilary McPherson/Mark Court	07824 550492	hmcpherson@swindon.gov.uk	None
To be a member and/or governor of Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust	Input views, opinions and ideas about future direction of NHS Trust who run Great Western Hospital and other services in the communtiy. Opportunity to stand as a governor of the trust.	Ongoing. Governors elections to be held in July.	Claire Giles	01793 604185	claire.giles@smnhst.nhs.uk	GWH Website