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COVID-19 and service updates

Wokingham Borough Connect

Covid-19 vaccine centre at Wokingham Library

Everyone aged 5 and over can get a 1st and 2nd dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. People aged 16 and over, and some children aged 12 to 15, can get a booster dose.

If you’re aged 75 or older, are a resident in a care home or are aged 12 and older with a weakened immunity you are also eligible for the Spring Booster, six months from your first booster.

The Covid-19 vaccine centre at Wokingham Library remains open for all the above groups. Over the next few weeks, the opening hours are:

• Fridays (9.30am-4.30pm) - Spring boosters for over 75s and immunosuppressed people, and first, second and booster doses for over 18s (Moderna)
• Saturdays (9.30am-4.30pm) - First and second doses for 12-17 year olds, second doses for 18-74 year olds and booster doses for 16-17 year olds (Pfizer)
• Sundays (10.30am-4.30pm) - First doses for 5-11 year olds (Pfizer)     

Walk-in or book an appointment in advance through the National Booking Service or by calling 119. Please bring your NHS number if you have it and a face covering.

Help young Ukrainian refugees

We’re so proud of the borough’s sense of community spirit during the pandemic. As we learn to live with Covid and face new challenges, we wanted to let you know how you can help welcome Ukrainians into our community.

We’ve set up our Chance to Thrive fund, raising £25,000 from the public to help young Ukrainians coming to the borough. We’ll match this with £25,000 via Government funding to us to help welcome refugees.

There are over 125 children coming to the borough from war-torn Ukraine to try and rebuild their lives. The fund will be used to pay for laptops and smartphones to help with school, as well as the chance to pay for sports, music, drama and other activities for these youngsters.

We know many people in the borough want to help but can’t host, so this is your chance to.

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Local Support Hub

Help is here if you are struggling or worried about money. Our online Local Support Hub is packed full of usual information on ways to get help. This includes:

• If you are struggling to pay your Council Tax, you may be eligible to a Council Tax discount or exemption
• If you receive Housing Benefit or Universal Credit and it doesn’t cover all your rent, you may be able to get a Discretionary Housing Payment to help
• If you are a local business and need help with business rates, or are struggling to pay, you may be eligible for a reduction and further support
• If you receive certain benefits your child may be eligible for free school meals

Please do not face your worries alone. You can also contact One Front Door, a service led by Citizens Advice Wokingham for free confidential and non-judgmental advice and support. The sooner you get in touch, the sooner it can get sorted.