STAFF from Trowbridge’s Nationwide branch volunteered at the West Wiltshire Special Needs Activity Scheme this summer.

The two-week residential scheme at Clarendon College in August and was run for children aged four-18.

Organised annually by volunteers and a small committee of parents and individuals, it allows children to enjoy activities including swimming, music therapy and arts and crafts and day trips.

Robert Burrows, branch manager at Nationwide, Trowbridge said: “At Nationwide we are given 14 volunteering hours per year to use within the local community, so myself and colleagues spent some time helping.

“One of our customers is the charity’s chairman. One day she started talking about the scheme and it created some interest.

“The objective was to get as many people to volunteer as possible and we hope to build on this even more next year.

“One day the children visited to Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in Bristol, which was really enjoyable.

“The children had a range of special needs from autism to Down’s syndrome and it was hugely rewarding to see them getting involved in different activities.

“The kids absolutely loved it; it was a pleasure for us to volunteer and a very rewarding experience for all involved.”