Youth activities, pollinator corridors and health and wellbeing events are some of the projects Wiltshire Council’s area boards have helped to fund and support through grants.

Wiltshire Council’s 18 area boards regularly fund projects and events designed to support and improve the lives of people living in Wiltshire.

Councillor Ian Blair-Pilling, Wiltshire Council's cabinet member for communities and area boards, said: "Once again our area boards, with support from our partners, have played a pivotal role in a range of programmes and projects that are supporting people of all ages throughout the county.

“The work of the area boards plays a key role in helping the council achieve its Business Plan priorities to support Wiltshire to be a place where people stay active and live well together.

“It’s particularly pleasing to get feedback on how successful a project has been following support from the area board, and hearing about the lasting impact it will have.”

The area boards are embedded within the community and drive decision-making in the area.

Equipped with devolved budgets, they facilitate community action and work with a variety of organisations to address local priorities.

One of their recent projects took place in Caine, where the area board supported various activities to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the discovery of oxygen by Dr Joseph Priestley at a laboratory in Bowood House.

This included OXYGENFEST, a mobile science show, guided walks and a Heritage Centre exhibition and display of a schools' art and writing competition.

Chippenham Area Board awarded more than £10,000 to youth projects, including residential camps for disadvantaged young people, safe spaces and youth work through the Rise Trust, and a storytelling project to amplify youth voices.

In Malmesbury, the board hosted an eco networking event and contributed to the establishment of a community orchard and growing space.

Marlborough hosted a Health and Wellbeing Day involving 28 groups, while Melksham held a skate event to engage young people, and in Royal Wotton Bassett and Cricklade, youth festivals took place featuring a variety of sports such as badminton, gymnastics, football and rugby.

As part of the Salisbury youth provision forum, a new YOU network of organisations and groups has been established, connecting all the safe spaces, people and places available for young people in and around the city.

The network will engage people and organisations who run youth clubs, activities, events and youth work projects.

The Old Sarum and Longhedge Community Pantry in Southern Wiltshire, backed by the area board, marked its first anniversary.

It now serves around 600 residents with food support, a warm space and Chatty Cafe.

More than 40 families access the pantry each week, made possible by a growing team of volunteers.

In South West Wiltshire, an event for isolated elderly residents was held at the Langford Lakes Nature Reserve, with support from the area board.

Fifty isolated and lonely older people, many of whom are struggling with a range of challenges including dementia enjoyed craft activities and musical entertainment.

Warminster hosted an Environment Watch Day funded by the area board to raise environmental awareness.

It featured activities such as making clay animals and learning about recycling.

The Westbury Area Board supported and funded a Pollinator Corridor project in Edington, Dilton Marsh, Bratton, Heywood, Hawkeridge and Westbury town centre.

The project encourages bees, butterflies and other pollinators, which are a pivotal part of the ecosystem.

The areas have improved the biodiversity throughout the community area and the corridor allows pollinators to move from one space to another.

Residents have volunteered and supported the project, which has helped to reduce social isolation within communities.