MANY needy members of the public benefited from a successful campaign to keep the heating on in the town centre's Swindon Hub. 

The community asset, based in the old River Island building in the heart of the town's shopping area, wanted to serve as a warm and safe space for the community over the winter months, but as a voluntary organisation, it needed financial help to do so. 

So it started the Heat the Hub campaign, encouraging public donations which would be used to cover the cost of gas and electricity over the winter months.

Local full-service creative agency GEL Studios stepped in to help by providing them with graphic design and marketing materials in the form of flyers, marketing advice, press releases and photography.

Together the two organisatons raised £8,245, which was way more than the £5,000 target, and the additional funding meant Swindon Hub was able to provide soup to the neediest in the community. 

Swindon Advertiser: A meeting between GEL Studios and The Swindon HubA meeting between GEL Studios and The Swindon Hub (Image: GEL Studios)

Graeme Leighfield, managing director of GEL Studios said: “At GEL Studios, we're all about making a positive impact on the community, and helping others is at the heart of everything we do.

“We’re so humbled to have been able to support this incredibly important campaign which perfectly suits our vision: inspiring change through creativity."

The two organisations have now entered into an ongoing partnership. But Claire Quant, volunteer and member of the board of trustees at Swindon Hub has thanked GEl for their involvement in this.

“The team at Swindon Hub is thrilled about this long-standing partnership with GEL Studios," she said.

“Run completely by volunteers, Swindon Hub hopes to reach more people in the community who need safe spaces to socialise, network, and participate in activities.

“Swindon Hub is all about making a difference in our community and we feel this campaign has helped us maintain the success of Swindon Hub. All money raised contributed towards our efforts to keep the lights and heating on over the winter.”

Thanks also went to local film student Henry Bowdidge  for his work filming and producing a short promotional video to support the campaign

Donations can still be made to the Hub by popping in their fun and vibrant unit in Swindon Town Centre. 

For more information about Swindon Hub visit: https://swindonhub.org.uk/