♀️Swindon & Wiltshire’s Most Inspiring Women 2026 | Jane Boulton
To mark International Women’s Day 2026, we’re celebrating Swindon & Wiltshire’s most inspiring women.
Through our website and social media channels, we asked our readers which women in our community inspire them and created a list of 20. The list will be featured in our Spring magazine and every weekday throughout March we are profiling and championing each of these fantastic women online and via our social feeds.
Today we put the spotlight on Jane Boulton, Executive Director of Springboard Chippenham.
Tell us about you and your work…
I am the Executive Director of Springboard Chippenham, a charity for children aged 0-5 with a disability or learning and developmental differences.
The charity is 50 years old this year. The fundamental principle of our work throughout this time has been to support children and their families at the earliest opportunity when difficulties or additional support needs have been identified. The earlier we can support, the greater the impact there will be for the child.
Our specialist provision is designed to meet those emerging needs, and this is done by maintaining a highly committed and professionally trained workforce in an environment that enables children to develop new skills and overcome barriers to learning.
By putting the children and the families at the centre of what we do, we see ourselves the difference our work makes. It promotes confidence and competence in everyone. involved.
What are you most proud of?
I have been at Springboard for 15 years now and every day is filled with an element of pride.
I am proud of the progress the children make, they may be small steps but they are in the right direction. I am proud of the relationships that are fostered between staff and parents. Parents trust us with their most precious little ones and staff work hard to gain that trust by listening, caring and responding to their needs as well as those of the children. Our belief in ability drives us forward.
I am so proud of belonging to a legacy. The staff, families, volunteers and funders who throughout the lifetime of Springboard have dedicated time and resources to enable its cause. In spite of all the challenges, there is resilience within the charity’s DNA. There remains a need and we are still standing,
How does it feel to be recognised as one of Swindon & Wiltshire’s Most Inspiring Women?
I am overwhelmed by this recognition. I am quite happily doing what I love. I meet great people through my work and there is not a day that I do not feel inspired by somebody or something. To know that I have inspired just one person through my work and beliefs is a wonderful thought.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
A day to celebrate all that is wonderful about womanhood. Recognising the diversity across the world but also in our own communities, families and friendship groups.
This year’s IWD theme asks us to think about how giving benefits everyone. What’s an example from your work or community life where supporting another woman led to something meaningful in return?
I work with a lot of parents and most recently with mums who are single, vulnerable and unsure of what their future looks like.
By being approachable and friendly, I have been able to help some of these women access support for themselves to become more confident in their own skin.
Seeing this change happen is transformative, not just for them but for me too. I get a huge sense of satisfaction from seeing this change. Knowing that they have the confidence to support their child, to pursue a career, to establish healthy relationships – is amazing.
What piece of advice would you share with your younger self?
Don’t worry about your shape and size, believe in ‘This girl can‘ – and she will.
Life choices are not all done and dusted just because you failed an exam
This feature is sponsored by Goughs Solicitors. The team at Goughs believe in championing ambition, celebrating achievement and creating opportunities for women to connect, lead and thrive.
