Swindon Soroptimists presented 25 Christmas shoeboxes full of gifts to the Swindon Nelson Trust Women’s Centre for the fifth year in a row.

Generous members and their friends filled each box with dozens of different goodies that they had collected over the year.

The club also donated clothes and household items for the clients spending Christmas at the centre along with chocolates for the hardworking staff who run it.

Soroptimist Lydia Cardew said: “These women have often difficult lives and we want them to know that people do care.

"We try to make the boxes useful and fun, with items such as scarves, toiletries, notepads and pens as well as a Christmas gift, crackers and chocolate."

The Swindon Soroptimists are part of an international voluntary women’s organisation that is dedicated to improving the lives and status of women and girls through education, empowerment and enabling opportunities.

The Nelson Trust Women's Centre provides a lifeline for women who are homeless, addicted or at risk of involvement with the criminal justice system.

The service has expanded and now has more permanent staff due to the amount of recognition and funding received for all the work they do.

The staff offer a wide range of services, including a lunch club, practical help, support in dealing with other agencies, one to one counselling, group activities and peer support.