Charities & Community
People, Projects, And Causes That Matter
At RWB Auctions, we are committed to being a positive and active force in our local community. We believe that a successful business should contribute meaningfully to the area it serves: supporting people, organisations, and initiatives that make North Wiltshire a stronger, more connected place.
We achieve this through three key areas of focus:
- Supporting regional charities
- Creating employment opportunities for local people
- Making auction services affordable and accessible
Supporting Local Charities
Charitable giving is embedded in the way we operate. We are proud to support a range of organisations chosen directly by our team, ensuring our contributions reflect causes that matter most to our staff and community.
Proceeds from all unsold and unclaimed lots are donated and shared between five charities:
- The Richard Jones Foundation - supports young people with grants for further education and training
- Julia's House - providing vital hospice care for seriously ill children and support for their families
- Prospect Hospice - delivering compassionate end-of-life care and support across Swindon, Marlborough, and North Wiltshire
- SSAFA (The Armed Forces Charity) - helping veterans, serving personnel, and their families in times of need
- Stripey Stork - reducing child poverty by providing essential clothing and equipment to families experiencing hardship
In addition to these partnerships, we actively facilitate charitable giving through our auction services. Sellers can choose to donate sale proceeds to these or other UK-registered charities, and we regularly collaborate with local charity shops to maximise the value of donated items. We also offer full-service charity auctions, providing a professional platform for fundraising initiatives.
Community sport is another important area of support. We are proud sponsors of Royal Wootton Bassett Town FC and Royal Wootton Basset Hounds Running Club, helping to promote health, teamwork, and local pride.
Talks, Tours & Community Events
Our salerooms are more than just our place of business - they are a community space designed to bring people together.
Across our two salerooms and dedicated rooftop gallery, we host a diverse programme of events in collaboration with the team at our on-site restaurant, Quercus Bistro. These include:
- Book launches and exhibitions for local authors and artists
- Behind-the-scenes tours for schools and educational groups
- Well-being activities such as pilates classes
- Private and corporate events in a unique setting
We are committed to keeping our spaces accessible, offering affordable venue hire throughout the week for community use.
Beyond our premises, our specialists regularly deliver engaging talks on antiques and collectables for local organisations, including WI groups and history societies. We also play an active role in town life, participating in events such as the Royal Wootton Bassett Carnival and Christmas Fair, offering extended opening hours and hosting family-friendly activities.
Creating Jobs In North Wiltshire
As one of the largest businesses based in Royal Wootton Bassett, we are proud to contribute to the local economy through employment and skills development.
Our team is predominantly made up of local people across a wide range of roles, including management, administration, specialist valuers, and entry-level and trainee positions.
We are particularly committed to supporting young people entering the industry. Through work experience placements, opportunities for school leavers, and pathways for university graduates, we aim to nurture the next generation of auction professionals and provide meaningful career development within the region.
Accessible Auction Services
We believe auctions should be open, welcoming, and beneficial to everyone, from experienced collectors or traders to those experiencing a live sale for the first time.
Auctions offer a highly effective way to realise value from unwanted items, as well as an affordable and sustainable way to furnish homes or build collections. However, many people in the UK have never visited their local auction house. We are working to change that by removing barriers and improving accessibility.
Our approach includes:
- A low-risk, no-win-no-fee model - Sellers can participate with confidence, knowing there are no upfront costs if items do not sell.
- A welcoming, comfortable environment - Our air-conditioned salerooms and on-site café bistro create a relaxed and enjoyable experience for visitors.
- Valuation roadshows - We take our expertise into the community, visiting village halls and community centres to offer accessible, local valuation services.
- Educational opportunities - Through talks and events, we help people understand the hidden value of everyday items and how auctions work.
Our data shows that a significant proportion of both our buyers and sellers are new to auctions - a fact we are particularly proud of․
Work With RWB Auctions
Do you work with a charity or community group in North Wiltshire? Looking for a place to host a special event or regular class in Royal Wootton Bassett? We want to hear from you! Contact our team today to discuss how we can help you.
