Christmas markets are in full swing, the kettle is on and cosy nights in are a-go as we reach the end of November.

With all the negative content we end up consuming, we wanted to celebrate the good news in Wiltshire right now.

To name a few, here are some positive things that have happened in the county this week: 

1. Wiltshire FA is standing up to mental health

It is joining a new mental health champions scheme launched by MIND. The FA has worked closely with the charity to co-design the mental health champion role to help tackle the stigma of mental health within refereeing.

Volunteers Sam Gooding and Revd Dr Father Mark Paris-Haines from the refereeing community will be promoting positive action by shining a light on the importance of mental wellbeing, encourage conversation and act as a point of contact for any match official aged 18 or over who are struggling.

2. A teenager has been putting nature first

A 16-year-old has been given a National Biodiversity award for wildlife recording. Izzy Fry is from Tisbury, co-founded a local nature group called Tisbury Young Nature Watch.

She has got involved with a number of wildlife projects, and her work has inspired other young people in the area to care and protect nature. She is now also a young ambassador for the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.

3. Disabled people are getting a taste of ‘stable life’

In a 12-week programme with an Equestrian Farm, Get Active GOGA has re-launched their project with Tedworth Equestrian.

They will be learning all about horses on the yard and will be able to care for them and get them ready for the day ahead as part of the experience.

4. A ‘Right to Disconnect’ campaign has been launched in the South West

Young members of UNISON in the region have been using Instagram to share the results of a survey they have conducted to find out about working habits, to help people improve their work/life balance.

5. A campervan has been auctioned to raise funds for Wiltshire Air Ambulance

The charity will receive any profits made from the sale of Nortree Motor Company’s Transit Custom Limited Manual Tiger Moth Campervan.

It has an RRP of £58,000, and the company wanted to do their bit as they often see the helicopter flying over their forecourt.

6. Eco-friendly craft boxes have been delivered to Chippenham primary schools

Volunteers at the Chippenham Lions Club have been packing children’s craft boxes for an environmental charity Wiltshire Scrapstore.

They have been delivered to primary schools in Chippenham to put smiles on children’s faces.

7. Salisbury was named one of the happiest places to live

Rightmove ranked it 17th in their annual ‘Happy Home Index’ which measures things like having a sense of belonging, whether residents can be themselves and the feeling of people being friendly and polite.