CAMPAIGNERS in Warminster are hoping to open a new community hub just off the High Street in the town centre.

Annie Davis, the founder of Warminster Action Group, has launched a £2,000 appeal to raise the vital funds needed to get the project off the ground.

The move follows the launch of the Warminster Action Group in March 2020 as a volunteer non-profit community support group.

It was created to help and support residents of Warminster during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond. Within weeks, WAR had more than 1,800 Facebook members and over 50 volunteers.

Ms Davis said: “It was started to help those within our community that were having to shield during lockdown.

“That was 15 months ago and over that time we’ve had over 2000 phone calls, requesting help with prescription pick-ups, shopping, dog walking and many other one-off tasks. We have helped hundreds of people that couldn’t get support anywhere else.

“After months of searching, we have finally found the perfect spot in Warminster, but this is where we need your help.

“We need to raise the funds so we can get started as we have solicitors’ fees, rent and basic furniture we need to buy.

“The last year has been truly amazing and we don’t want all the hard work that’s been put into the group to just disappear.

“That’s why we have decided to keep moving forward and helping the residents of Warminster in any way we can.”

The group has just launched have launched an exciting new activity for children called Look for a Book. The aim is to find books hidden in and around Warminster.

“Look for a book has been established to help encourage less screen time and more sharing, nurture and talking time,” Ms Davis said. “It’s to encourage children to explore the outdoors and become excited about reading.”

Other projects include a uniform swap shop to help families in Warminster and surrounding villages by providing free pre-loved school uniforms, PE Kits, shoes and anything else that may be needed.

Warminster Action Group is also running a Donate IT project to collect and recycle unwanted laptops and computers in a collaboration between Sustainable Warminster, Blackmoor Ricotech and Kingdown School.

Ms Davis said: “All IT equipment will either be repaired and restored and then donated back into the community for people who would really benefit from it; otherwise all components will be recycled.

“As there is zero waste going to landfill, this is a project which benefits the environment as well as the community.”

To support Warminster Action Group, please call Annie Davis on 01985 250081 or go to the charity’s website at https://warminsteractiongroup.co.uk/