‘Something to be proud of’: Warminster Action Group celebrates five years of vital community support

A charity which provides lifechanging support in Warminster has celebrated its fifth birthday and made plans for a “sustainable future.”

The Warminster Action Group (WAG) was founded in 2020. Initially, its purpose was to mobilise volunteers to reach people in need during the Covid pandemic.

Five years later, and WAG has evolved into something so much more. From a base at the Wilson and Kennard Yard behind the Old Bell pub, hundreds of people from across the Warminster community receive support.

Recalling the charity’s journey, WAG founder Annie Davis said, “WAG began five years ago, just as the Covid pandemic was starting to make its way to the UK. My son, who’s older and has ADHD and autism, was becoming really anxious as he watched everything unfold on the news. I was trying to find some local information to help reassure him and explain things in a way he could understand, but there wasn’t much out there. I set up a Facebook group to share what I could find, hoping it might help a few others too.

“Then lockdown happened. People were suddenly being told to stay indoors, and it was obvious that this was going to cause real problems. I was shielding at the time, but I’d previously managed the British Heart Foundation shop in Warminster, so I knew how to organise volunteers. I put a message out on the group asking if anyone would be willing to help, and within a week, we’d gone from a couple of people to over 500 members and 10 volunteers ready to step in.”

At the height of the pandemic, WAG had 150 volunteers out in the community each day. They collected prescriptions, walked dogs, made wellbeing calls, mowed lawns, did shopping and so much more. In one particularly poignant show of support, WAG volunteers took time to tend to a grave for a couple who were unable to go out and visit their son’s resting place.

When lockdown came to an end, Annie and the other WAG volunteers realised the need for their services hadn’t gone away. In 2021, the group achieved charitable status and worked to build on their work in the community.

Annie continued, “We opened our very first WAG House in Chinn’s Court; it was a small space where people could drop in for a cuppa and feel part of something. It wasn’t long before we outgrew it, and we moved to a bigger place in Wilson and Kennard Yard, just behind the Old Bell pub, which is where we’re still based now. That move allowed us to do even more.

“We started the Over 60s Youth Club, which brings people together each week for fun, laughter, and proper connection. We also opened the WAG Community Shed which is a space for creativity, making, and mending, as well as the Creative Hub upstairs where people can join in with art, crafts, or just come and be.

“These days, one of the biggest challenges we’re seeing across all age groups is mental health. People are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, low in confidence, or just not themselves. The support available often doesn’t stretch very far, many services can only offer help for a few weeks, and after that, people are left trying to manage on their own. When you add in the pressure of the rising cost of living, benefits cuts, and everyday stresses, it can feel like too much.

“What makes the biggest difference is having someone who listens, who cares, and who doesn’t rush them. That’s what we try to offer at WAG. We’re not a mental health service, but we are a place where people can come and not feel alone.”

Over the last five years, people from all ages and backgrounds have used WAG for some extra support; from pensioners to young parents. Moving forward, Annie hopes to build on the charity’s work and is determined WAG will always be there for people who need it.

Annie added, “I just want to say thank you. WAG wouldn’t be here without the people who believed in what we were doing—especially during those uncertain early days. Whether you’ve helped out, spread the word, popped in for a cuppa, or simply followed along quietly, you’ve been part of this journey. We’re still here, five years on, and that’s something to be proud of.

“The next step is making WAG sustainable for the future and building proper foundations so we can keep supporting people in the long term. But we also want to make sure we’re still doing what the community actually needs, not just what we think they need. That’s always been important to me. We’ll be asking questions, listening, and adjusting as we go. Because that’s how WAG has always worked – it grows with the people who need it.

“If anyone wants to get involved, we’d love to hear from you, we really do need more volunteers. It’s amazing what just an hour a week can do to help someone. And of course, if volunteering’s not possible, donations are a huge help. We always need money to keep things going, so anything people can give makes a real difference.”

Visit warminsteractiongroup.co.uk to find out more about the Warminster Action Group or call 01985250081