Are you a Changemaker?

For centuries, people in the ancient City of Salisbury have volunteered their time, knowledge, and energy to help others. 

As part of the celebrations for Salisbury’s 800th anniversary next year, the City will thank and recognise today's volunteers for their selfless work.

Salisbury 800 was created to celebrate King Henry III granting Salisbury’s Royal Charter in 1227, when the city moved from the Neolithic earthworks of Old Sarum to its present site at the confluence of five chalk rivers. The aim is to honour the City’s past while looking ahead to a confident future, with one guiding principle: involving the whole community in the celebrations.

Thousands of volunteers play a vital role in the City’s community today, and Salisbury 800 calls them ‘Changemakers’. They deserve thanks and recognition through a project that will identify and highlight people currently giving their time to charities and organisations that could otherwise struggle to survive without them.

Susi Mason, Salisbury 800 Project Lead, said, “Salisbury’s network of volunteers deserves to be celebrated. As a part of Salisbury’s 800th anniversary, we want to recognise their contribution, reward them for their service and encourage others to join this wonderful group of people.”

Salisbury Radio will help tell their stories by shining a light on some of the lesser-known ways people serve their community every day.

"Salisbury Radio is delighted to be involved with Changemakers and the celebrations for Salisbury 800,” said Andy Munns, a director at Salisbury Radio. “There are a huge number of people across Salisbury already making a huge difference to the lives of others through their volunteering.

"It will be fantastic to help make more people aware of the fantastic opportunities to help make a difference and bring about change in a wide variety of ways. We are looking forward to telling some of the stories of people already giving their time and making a difference to others in our part of the world."

Wessex Community Action supports charities and community groups across Wiltshire. Its website, Wiltshire Together, is a hub for advertising volunteer opportunities across the county.

Salisbury 800 and WCA are working with local photographer, Steve Grimmett, to photograph some of the volunteers, and these photographs will be exhibited at the Five Rivers Health & Wellbeing Centre from April to June 2027.

Susi Mason, from Salisbury 800, said, “If you are a volunteer, tell us why you do it and what you gain from the experience. We want to hear your story. Let’s make raising the profile of volunteers a lasting legacy of our Salisbury 800 celebrations.”

If you're interested in being involved in either the radio interviews, the exhibition, or both, please complete this short form, and the relevant person will get back to you: Salisbury Changemakers Expression of Interest Form