A NEW monthly radio show is being launched in Swindon and the team behind it want you to get involved.

‘The Swindon200 Show’ will air on community station Swindon 105.5. It will explore issues around equality and inclusion while also looking to promote the great things that are happening in our town.

The show is part of a wider project called Swindon200 which launched earlier this year at the Swindon Community Conference.

The event, which was attended by more than 100 people from across the community, was the birthplace of the new ‘Swindon Equality & Inclusion Charter’.

Shirley Ludford, Swindon 105.5 Station Manager, said: “I am delighted the team have taken up this opportunity and are taking part in training to develop their voice within our community.

“The radio station is about providing such opportunities for local people and groups, as well as providing a platform for discussion and awareness-raising.”

The hosts of the show are now asking local people who have been affected by equality issues in Swindon, and staff or volunteers from community organisations that support people with these issues, to take part as guests.

“Each show will focus on a different topic or area of equality”, said Janey Templer-Milligan from Swindon MIND, who will be involved in the show.

“We want to explore a range of issues and increase awareness and understanding of them, but what’s also really important is that we celebrate all the things going on in the town, especially those that bring people together and create strong bonds within and between communities, and inspire more good things to happen.

“So we want to encourage anyone who is running an event or activity to get in touch with us too, so that we can promote it. We'd also like to invite people to take part in the show as guests, particularly if you have experienced issues yourself, or even in helping to run and present it.”

Swindon200 is a partnership project between Voluntary Action Swindon and the Swindon Equality Coalition. It is commissioned by Swindon Borough Council.

Hannah Parry, Development Officer for Voluntary Action Swindon, said: “We named the project Swindon200 as at the time of developing it, Swindon was celebrating the 175th anniversary of when the GWR came to town.

“In the context of celebrating our past and where we are today, we wanted this project to be about looking forwards and encouraging the Swindon community to play an active and positive role in its future.

"As the Charter outlines, the project is about supporting Swindon to be a model of fairness, inclusion, opportunity and fulfilment – with the belief that equality forms the foundation of a well-functioning community – but also just a great place for people to live, work and enjoy.

“Communicating through community media is one of the best ways to break down barriers so we're really looking forward to this monthly show.”

Those who are keen to get involved in the Swindon200 project can sign up to be Equality Ambassadors – a new role shaped by those involved to help take the aims of the project forward.

The Swindon200 radio show will air every second Tuesday of the month from 10am to 11am and will be repeated on the second Wednesday of the month from 6pm to 7pm.

Listeners can tune in on 105.5 FM or listen live via Swindon105.5’s website.

To get involved as a guest, email swindon200@vas-swindon.org or call the team on 01793 538398.

An event for those that are interested in finding our more about the role and the Swindon200 project is being held on Wednesday, August 9, at Sanford House in the town centre.

To find out more and to register a free ticket please visit - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/equality-ambassador-august-event-tickets-36194138643.

Local residents, businesses and community organisations can also support the project by signing up to the charter at www.swindon200.uk.

You can also follow Swindon200 on Facebook and Twitter.