Rural Health & Wellbeing

Voice It, Hear It

Community voices inspiring positive change to local support and services.

Voice It, Hear It, is a new project that unifies the collective strength of its partners to support the voice and engagement of people in Wiltshire. The project is delivered by Community First, Wessex Community Action, Wiltshire Service Users’ Network, Age UK Wiltshire, Beyond Dementia (formerly Alzheimer’s Support) and Celebrating Age Wiltshire. The project is funded by Wiltshire Council and Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB).

Voice It, Hear It (VIHI), coordinated by Community First on behalf of BSW and Wiltshire Council, is beginning new engagement with people living with long-term health conditions in rural areas across Wiltshire.

The engagement aims to better understand people’s day-to-day experiences of managing their long term health conditions in rural communities, including:

• what helps people stay well and independent

• barriers to accessing support and services

• experiences of rural healthcare access

• how transport, isolation, family, carers, and community connections shape everyday life and wellbeing

  
  

VIHI are particularly keen to reach residents whose experiences may not always be heard through more formal engagement routes and are inviting organisations, community groups, parish councils, volunteers, and professionals to help us connect with communities across Wiltshire.

VIHI are holding an online partner briefing session to share more about the work and explore how organisations and local networks may be able to support engagement and help residents have their voices heard.

Rural Health & Wellbeing – Partner Briefing and Engagement Session

Tuesday 26 May 2026 4:00pm – 5:00pm (Online)

Register here: Book via Ticket Tailor

VIHI would particularly welcome support from organisations already working closely with rural residents and communities who may be able to help us reach people living with long-term health conditions and support them to share their experiences.

Or direct contact with Voice it Hear it:  voice@communityfirst.org.uk