Circus Starr is a fantastic organisation that creates magical circus themed shows with a difference, as they ensure that these types of events can be enjoyed by every child, no matter what their circumstances may be.

They go the extra mile and are leading the way in accessible arts, with Changing Places toilet facilities on sites and each of their performances featuring a British Sign Language Interpreter.

The shows are inclusive, exciting, non-judgemental, animal-free, accessible and magical, and are a fantastic outing for all the family, and we are proud supporters now for the third year running.

Across the UK, many vulnerable and disabled children often feel isolated and lack access to relaxed, inclusive performances like theirs. With all our help, they were able to offer a transformative experience to children like Freya, a young girl with additional sensory needs.

Freya attended the show with her mum and dad and was captivated by the inclusive atmosphere and vibrant energy. Since then, her living room has become her personal stage, where she dazzles with freestyle dance routines and circus-inspired performances

Her parents shared:

“Freya has come a long way, but she’s still hypersensitive to sounds and textures.

Busy and loud environments can be overwhelming for her, so we have to plan carefully when we go out—choosing quieter times and places.

That’s why Circus Starr was so special.

It gave her a space where she could be herself, make noise, move freely, and connect with other children who understand what that feels like.”

Across the UK, many vulnerable and disabled children often feel isolated and lack access to relaxed, inclusive performances like theirs. With all our help, they were able to offer a transformative experience to children like Freya, a young girl with additional sensory needs.

Freya attended the show with her mum and dad and was captivated by the inclusive atmosphere and vibrant energy. Since then, her living room has become her personal stage, where she dazzles with freestyle dance routines and circus-inspired performances.

Can you help a child like Freya?  They would love to hear from you. Whether it’s sponsoring more tickets, spreading the word, or partnering with them, everyone’s involvement helps them reach even more children who deserve to feel seen, celebrated, and included.

The next show in our area will be held on Wednesday 23rd September 2026, at MECA, Regent Circus, Swindon, SN1 1PR, so please contact Starr in the Community if you’d like to book tickets for yourself or buy them for someone else.

Call them on 01260 288690 or email donations@circus-starr.org.uk or visit their website www.circus-starr.org.uk

Mental health is an increasingly important topic in today’s workplace and wider society. With more people recognising the importance of mental wellbeing, Mental Health First Aid training provides valuable knowledge and practical skills to help people recognise and respond to signs of mental ill health.

Whether you’re an employer, manager, team leader or employee, attending a Mental Health First Aid course can help you feel more confident when supporting someone who may be experiencing a mental health challenge.

Here are five reasons to attend our next Mental Health First Aid Course.

1. Improve Your Mental Health Awareness

One of the biggest benefits of Mental Health First Aid training is developing a better understanding of mental health.

Our one-day Level 2 course can help you recognise potential signs and symptoms of mental ill health and understand how these may affect an individual’s behaviour, wellbeing and ability to cope.

Improving mental health awareness in the workplace can also help reduce stigma and encourage more open conversations about mental wellbeing.

The more people understand about mental health, the easier it can become for those who are struggling to feel comfortable asking for support.

2. Gain Confidence Supporting Someone With Their Mental Health

Knowing that someone is struggling is one thing; knowing how to respond is another.

Our Mental Health First Aid course provides practical guidance on how to approach conversations about mental health, listen without judgement and offer appropriate initial support.

You’ll develop the confidence to recognise when someone may need help and understand how to encourage them to access appropriate professional or other sources of support.

You don’t need to be a mental health professional to make a difference. Having the confidence to listen and signpost someone towards further help can be incredibly valuable.

3. Develop Practical Mental Health First Aid Skills

Mental Health First Aid training focuses on practical skills that can be applied in everyday situations.

During the course, you can learn more about:

• Recognising potential signs of mental ill health.
• Approaching someone who may be struggling.
• Starting conversations about mental health.
• Listening and providing appropriate initial support.
• Understanding the importance of professional support.
• Signposting people towards relevant sources of help.
• Maintaining your own wellbeing when supporting others.

These skills can be valuable both inside and outside the workplace.

4. Support a Positive Workplace Mental Health Culture

Employers are increasingly recognising the importance of workplace mental health and the role that employees can play in creating a supportive working environment.

Having people within an organisation who have completed Mental Health First Aid training can help encourage greater awareness and more open conversations around mental wellbeing.

Mental Health First Aiders can become an important part of a wider workplace wellbeing strategy, helping colleagues feel that mental health is taken seriously and that support is available.

Creating a culture where people feel comfortable talking about mental health can benefit individuals, teams and organisations.

5. Invest in Your Personal and Professional Development

Completing a Mental Health First Aid course is an opportunity to develop skills that can benefit both your personal and professional life.

Mental health awareness is relevant across almost every industry, making Mental Health First Aid training a valuable addition to your professional development.

The knowledge and confidence gained through the course can also help you become a more supportive colleague, manager, friend or family member.

Most importantly, you could develop skills that allow you to recognise when someone may be struggling and help them take the next step towards getting appropriate support.

Book Your Mental Health First Aid Course Today.

Poor mental health affects everyone and knowing how to support someone who may be struggling can make a genuine difference.

Our course provides an opportunity to improve your mental health awareness, develop practical support skills and gain greater confidence when talking about mental wellbeing.

So, whether you’re looking to improve workplace mental health, develop your professional skills or simply become better equipped to support others, our Mental Health First Aid course could be the ideal opportunity for you to take the next step towards becoming more confident in supporting mental health.

The course is running on Thursday 10th September 2026 in our training centre in Swindon, so please contact the office to book.

To view the other open courses we have available in 2026, please see here.

We have now released our open course dates for the rest of the year, and we’re delighted to share these with you.

These are ideal if you only have a small number of people who need training, or if you’re booking for just yourself.

Spaces are limited, so book now to avoid disappointment.

These will be running in our training centre in Swindon, in our fully air-conditioned office, so you can focus on the course and not the soaring heat!

For more information about these courses, please click here.

Our open courses give you a cost-effect way for you to meet your HSE regulations and to learn some essential skills.  Our trainers are as good as they get, so you can be guaranteed a high quality, enjoyable training experience.

Don’t just take our word for it – please click here to see what our customers think.

We are proud to announce that in partnership with Wiltshire Council, we are launching Skills Bootcamps for the Warehousing & Logistics Sector in Swindon & Wiltshire.

Swindon & Wiltshire sit at the heart of one of the UK’s most important logistics corridors. With major distribution centres, warehousing hubs, transport operators and supply chain businesses operating across the region, the demand for skilled, confident leaders has never been greater. 

To support this growing need, we are delivering Level 3 Skills Bootcamps in Leadership & Management designed specifically for the Warehousing, Transport and Logistics sector.

These certificated programmes are helping local employers strengthen their teams, develop future managers and build a more resilient workforce.

This training is part-funded by Wiltshire Council who will cover between 70-90% of the costs (business size dependent), so they have a limited space for 15 emerging leaders in September 2026.

Why Leadership Skills Matter More Than Ever in Logistics

The logistics sector is fast paced, high pressure and constantly evolving. New technologies, tighter delivery expectations, workforce shortages and rising customer demands mean that strong leadership is essential for maintaining smooth operations.

Effective leadership directly improves:

• Operational efficiency and workflow
• Staff morale, engagement and retention
• Safety and compliance standards
• Communication across shifts, sites and departments
• Problem solving during disruption or peak demand
• Customer satisfaction and service reliability

For businesses in Swindon & Wiltshire, developing these skills is not just beneficial — it’s a strategic necessity.

What the Skills Bootcamps Offer

The Level 3 Leadership & Management Skills Bootcamps are practical, hands on and built around the real challenges faced by logistics teams. They are designed to help participants step confidently into leadership roles or strengthen the skills they already have.

This programme is certificated by AIM Qualifications & Assessment Group and has been designed to develop capabilities in:

• Understanding leadership styles and building self awareness
• Managing teams in time critical, high pressure environments
• Communicating clearly across roles, shifts and locations
• Handling conflict and difficult conversations
• Delegating effectively and building trust
• Planning, decision making and problem solving
• Coaching staff and supporting progression
• Delivering a real work based problem-solving project that benefits their employer

This is training that translates directly into better performance on the warehouse floor, in the transport office or on the loading bay.

Who the Bootcamps Are For

These Skills Bootcamps are ideal for:

• New or aspiring team leaders
• Warehouse supervisors
• Transport office coordinators
• Drivers progressing into leadership roles
• Existing managers seeking to refresh or strengthen their skills

Whether someone is stepping into leadership for the first time or preparing for the next stage of their career, the certificated programme provides the confidence and capability they need to succeed with the full support of their employer.

A Partnership That Strengthens the Local Workforce

The collaboration between us and Wiltshire Council ensures that the Bootcamps are:

• Employer aligned — shaped around the needs of local logistics businesses
• Flexible — designed to fit around operational demands
• Practical — focused on real world scenarios, not abstract theory
• Supportive — delivered by trainers with deep industry experience
• Impact driven — designed to deliver measurable improvements for employers

This partnership is helping Swindon & Wiltshire build a stronger, more resilient logistics workforce -ready for the challenges ahead.

Why This Matters for Swindon & Wiltshire

By investing in leadership development, our region benefits from:

• A more skilled and confident workforce
• Stronger succession planning for local employers
• Reduced recruitment pressures and staff turnover
• Improved productivity and operational performance
• Greater economic resilience across the logistics sector

These Bootcamps are not just training programmes — they are an investment in the long term success of Swindon & Wiltshire’s economy.

The Impact: Real Skills, Real Progression, Real Results

Employers who have engaged with the programme consistently report:

• More capable and confident team leaders
• Better communication across departments
• Improved staff morale and engagement
• Reduced operational errors
• Stronger team cohesion
• A clearer pathway for internal progression

For participants, the Bootcamps open doors to new responsibilities, new opportunities and to long term career growth.

To take advantage of this fantastic programme, please click here.

We are very proud to announce that we are the winner of the prestigious Diamond Distinction Award for the best Lift Truck Training Centre in Wiltshire 2026.

This award, which we were nominated for, recognises not only the high quality of our work but also our dedication to improving workplace safety standards.

The full press briefing is available here.

We are all immensely proud of the work we do here, so we were delighted to accept the award. It’s a testament to our wonderful staff and all the hard work and diligence that they all bring to their roles every day.

Thank you to them and to Diamond Awards for the beautiful crystal award itself – it’s so sparkly and has pride of place in our display cabinet!

We are delighted to share with you that on Thursday 12th March, we will be celebrating the 8th year anniversary of our first course.

Since our last anniversary, we have been so proud of the number of new businesses we’ve been able to help, and we’ve also been privileged enough to book courses for some of our customers for the 8th year running.

We’ve also been immensely proud to have been able to have helped a huge number of delegates with our introduction of Skills Bootcamps, and we’ve successfully continued our partnership with New College, Swindon, for a second year.

This has helped us reach even more businesses in need, and those out of work or on low incomes attain skills that make them in demand in our region.

We’re so grateful to the loyalty of our customers – we have really built a strong bond of trust over the years, and we value every single one of them. It’s been so nice to see the same faces coming to us again and again for their refresher training, and we hope to be able to serve your needs for many years to come.

If you’d like to see what some of our customers think, then please visit our website and see their thoughts. 

For the year ahead, our focus will be on maintaining the highest standards of training, so all our customers have a great experience, providing more information to our customers via our website, and looking to expand our course range to include training that you’re asking us for.  If you have any courses that you’d like us to consider, please let us know and we’ll investigate if it’s possible.

Thank you to everyone who we’ve had the absolute privilege of working with over the last eight years.

We’re really excited about the future and will continue to stay true to our mission: to understand your needs and to support you, whoever you are, and whatever you need.

As we come to the end of the year, we thought it might be nice to reflect on what an incredible year 2025 has been.

We wanted to focus this year on increasing the choice of courses available to our customers and improving our quality of delivery, and we believe that we’ve managed to achieve both of these goals.

Increased choice

This year, we have added new courses such as Personal Projective Training, Banksman training, Skills Bootcamps and Forklift Instructor training, all of which we are incredibly proud of.

These new courses enabled us to reach a wider audience, help more people in need, and to offer our customers more solutions for their business.

Focus on quality

We’ve been heavily focused on improving quality this year.

We moved premises in January, which has enabled us to improve the quality of the training areas, and the number of courses we can now run, and this has enabled us to keep the lead-times for bookings as short as possible, despite increased demand.

We had our regular quality audits throughout the year, which we passed with flying colours.  We had 3 RTITB audits this year (our annual accreditation, one for our move and one for our instructor training), and we’ve also regularly passed our AIM and Highfield quality assessments.

Additionally, we were delighted to have gained the Matrix Standard.  This incredible achievement documents how quality is embedded in everything we deliver and it enables businesses to identify training companies who take quality of delivery seriously.

Finally, we’ve become Cyber Essentials certified, to demonstrate how seriously we take protecting you and your data.

Here are some statistics from this year:

• Delegates trained – 345
• Certificates issued – 420
• Businesses worked with – 58

If you’d like to see what some of our customers think, then please visit our website and see their thoughts.

We want to thank each and every one of our delegates, customers and suppliers for making this such a wonderful year, and we look forward to working with you all in 2026.