• Swindon & Wiltshire Social
• Thursday July 10 2025

Business owners meet the Queen at Community Foundation’s 50th anniversary celebrations

The Queen paid a visit to Wiltshire today (Thursday) to help Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation – the UK’s oldest community foundation – celebrate its 50th anniversary.

A celebration was held at Wellington Barn, Calne, and brought together supporters, grant recipients, partners, and volunteers.

For half a century, the Foundation has played a vital role in bringing together people who care with causes that matter.

Whether by linking donors and partners with grassroots organisations, connecting groups with each other, or opening up new opportunities through shared knowledge and collaboration, the Foundation helps strengthen communities across Wiltshire and Swindon.

Its unique position continues to bridge the gap between local challenges and community-led solutions, creating lasting impact throughout the region.

The Queen met a wide range of supporters and donors as well as individuals, groups and businesses who have received funding from the Foundation, heard their stories, and unveiled a commemorative 50th Anniversary plaque, which was crafted and mounted by Tidworth and Ludgershall Men’s Shed — a community group and grant recipient.

Her Majesty also cut a specially commissioned anniversary cake, made by grant recipient Lily Shergold of Bake with Lil, and was treated to an ice-cream by Joanna Weaver of Joanna’s Gelato.

During the event, the Foundation formally reintroduced Swindon into its name, announcing its updated identity as Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation.

The new name reflects both the breadth of the Foundation’s work and its origins — acknowledging Swindon as the town where the organisation was founded in 1975 by Lord Joel Joffe as the Thamesdown Community Trust.

In 1991, it merged with Wiltshire Community Trust to form the organisation known today, with a long-term vision of building an endowment fund to support communities across the county.

Over the last 50 years, the Foundation has awarded more than £26.8 million in grants, supporting hundreds of thousands of people across Wiltshire and Swindon.

Its funding has addressed a wide range of local issues — from poverty and rural isolation to mental health and domestic abuse.

The Foundation also helps young people access higher education and training and launch their own businesses through dedicated grant programmes.

This impact has been made possible by the generosity of individuals, businesses, trusts and partners across Wiltshire and Swindon. In 2024/25 alone, the Foundation awarded over £2.5 million in grants, reaching more than 83,000 people. Supported by a growing endowment fund, the Foundation continues to provide a sustainable, long-term source of funding for local causes.

The foundation’s joint chief executive, Fiona Oliver, said: “It was a tremendous honour to mark the 50th anniversary of Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen. This milestone celebrated all that can be achieved when people come together with a shared purpose.

“Over the past five decades, the Foundation has provided vital support to thousands of charities, community groups and individuals — strengthening communities, inspiring generosity, and helping to foster thriving local communities.

“None of this would be possible without the vision and commitment of our Board, the dedication of our staff, and the incredible support of our donors, partners, volunteers and the wider voluntary sector. We are deeply grateful to all those who have contributed to this remarkable legacy.”

Groups and individuals Her Majesty met included:

• Joanna Weaver – South West Enterprise Fund SWEF) business grant recipient and founder of Joanna’s Gelato, selling artisan Italian gelato from her van in Salisbury
• Sam Gardner – SWEF business grant recipient and founder of Smart Mushrooms, creating science-backed health supplements
• Lily Shergold, founder of Devizes-based Bake with Lil – SWEF grant recipient and baker of the anniversary cake
• Keith Brasnett, Tidworth and Ludgershall Men’s Shed – a community group fostering connection through practical projects; creators of the anniversary plaque mount
• Gill Snowden, Growbaby Swindon – which provides free baby clothes, equipment and essentials to families in need, along with practical and emotional support
• Caroline Herman, All Yours Period Box – a grassroots initiative tackling period poverty by providing boxes of essential products to people who struggle to access or afford them. Also delivers educational workshops in schools and community groups
• Tajinder Kaur Sandhu and Bal Kaur, Changing Suits CIC, Swindon – supporting South Asian communities in overcoming cultural barriers and engaging with support services
• Gemma Humphrey, Platform Project, Swindon – helping disadvantaged young people gain skills, confidence and work experience to improve their employment prospects
• Lloyd Bartlett, bandmaster of Downton Brass Band – a charitable music group with a 150-year legacy

Images courtesy of Will Scammell