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SWS group: Making Wrexham a safer and more inclusive city

by Annette Thomas

I recently had the pleasure of meeting with members of the Standards of Wrexham Services (SWS) Group. This dedicated group of volunteers living with a disability work closely with the person-centred planning team on a variety of projects aimed at ensuring people receive the support and services they deserve. A key part of their work includes managing the Safe Places Scheme, which helps create secure and welcoming spaces for vulnerable individuals.

The impact of SWS in the community

The SWS group has been diligently working to make Wrexham a safer and more inclusive place for vulnerable individuals. Their efforts focus on raising awareness, improving accessibility, and promoting best practices within the community. Their projects include:

  • Sitting on interview panels to assist in the recruitment of health and social care employees, ensuring inclusive hiring practices.
  • Delivering workshops to educate organisations on awareness and best practices for supporting individuals with disabilities.
  • Providing advice to businesses and organisations on how they can better accommodate and support individuals with disabilities.
  • Creating easy-read documents to improve accessibility and comprehension of essential information.
  • Producing digital stories and videos showcasing projects and the impact of SWS.
  • Organising inclusive events such as a silent disco, a low-noise firework display, and a family fun day, making community events more accessible to all.

Benefits of being an SWS member

Joining the SWS group provides numerous personal and social benefits, including:

  • Meeting new people.
  • Building confidence.
  • Forming meaningful friendships.
  • Gaining independence.
  • Having a platform to contribute efforts toward a valuable cause.
  • Experiencing a sense of pride in making a difference.

Showcasing their work

SWS has taken to digital platforms to highlight their efforts and spread awareness. They have published videos that showcase the work they do, how they help shape services, and how they support with providing safe places in Wrexham.

Check out their YouTube channel.

Watch ‘Who are the SWS Group?’ to learn more about their incredible work.

Get involved, and make a difference

If you are someone living with a disability and are interested in shaping services for people with disabilities, SWS group wants to hear from you!

Get in touch at SCprojectmanagement@wrexham.gov.uk.

Businesses: Join the Safe Places Scheme

Local businesses can join the Safe Places Scheme, a program that designates specific venues as safe spaces for individuals who may feel anxious, scared, or at risk. This scheme helps vulnerable individuals feel more confident navigating their community, thus improving their social interactions and overall wellbeing. Businesses that sign up receive full support and training to ensure that they provide a welcoming environment for those in need.

Get in touch at SCprojectmanagement@wrexham.gov.uk to find out more about joining the Safe Places Scheme.

The Friendship Hub: Encouraging social connections

SWS Group also run The Friendship Hub, a community-led initiative that provides ideas and opportunities for social engagement around Wrexham. The Friendship Hub is curated by individuals with disabilities and features activities such as:

  • Craft sessions.
  • Gaming meet-ups.
  • A WhatsApp group to facilitate connections and discussions.

These activities help individuals with disabilities to get out, meet new people, and engage in enjoyable activities in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Visit their Facebook page to learn more.

SWS Group is a fantastic example of a community-driven initiative that actively works to make Wrexham a better place for all. Whether you are an individual looking to get involved, or a business interested in supporting the Safe Places Scheme, there are many ways to contribute to this incredible cause.

Get in touch today and be part of the change!

Download and share leaflets about SWS YouTube & The Friendship Hub.

Download and share leaflets about SWS YouTube, The Friendship Hub, and free autism training.

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Just to let you know, our free development programme is still available and running across Wrexham. Our help is totally free to you because this project is funded by Wrexham County Borough Council and run by Community Catalysts; we are a social enterprise operating across the UK which supports local people to help other local people.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch via 07880 195114 or annette.thomas@communitycatalysts.co.uk to find out more, leave your details on our website and I’ll get back to you ASAP.