 Help spread Christmas cheer to local people in need
Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr Caroline Smith has launched a reverse Christmas advent calendar appeal with the Wokingham Foodbank, her chosen charity of the year.
The appeal lists 24 food and festive items to be donated to local people who are struggling with the cost of living, soaring energy and food prices.
People who are able to take part need to donate the items before 3 December, in time for Wokingham Foodbank to collect and distribute them to local people in need before Christmas. The appeal is open to all.
You can take part by visiting the Wokingham Foodbank’s website and downloading the reverse advent calendar, filling a bag or box with the items listed. To meet the council’s climate change initiatives of reducing paper waste, residents are advised to screenshot or take a photo of the calendar.
You can donate the items before:
- Friday 2 December at our council office reception area at Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1BN. Donations are accepted Monday to Friday between 9am to 5pm
- Saturday 3 December at Wokingham Foodbank, 498 Reading Road, Winnersh, RG41 5EX. Donations are accepted Monday to Friday, 10am to 12 noon. A special collection will take place at the same opening times on Saturday 3 December
 Give us your views on the future of our libraries
We are seeking your views on our libraries service as we look to shape the future of our offer to residents across the borough.
Libraries are an integral part of the community and it is therefore vital that we understand how they can best meet your needs.
To help us achieve this, we have launched a survey, which is available to view on Engage Wokingham Borough and runs until Monday 5 December.
We are keen to explore what you think our priorities should be moving forward and if there are any specific areas you would like to see changed or improved.
 Cost of living help for families
Visit the cost of living help hub to get the latest advice to help you and your family through the winter. This week we’re looking at help for families and at home.
- Check if you’re eligible for the Help to Heat Scheme to make your home more energy efficient with a grant through us
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Use Childcare Choices to see if you could save up to £2,000 on childcare costs like holiday clubs, after school clubs, childminders and more (available to families with children up to the age of 11, or 17 if their child has a disability)
- If you are pregnant, have children aged five, have a disability or rely on electrical medical equipment, register for priority services with your water or gas suppliers in case services are interrupted this winter. It means you'll get extra help or priority if there are disruptions such as power cuts
- Ensure you’re claiming your free childcare allowance if you have a three or four year old
 New road, cycleway and path opens at Finchampstead
A new road, which has a separate footway and cycleway on both sides to improve access for all and encourage active travel, is now opening to serve new homes at the former Arborfield Garrison.
Nine Mile Ride Extension opened this week and runs between the A327 Eversley Road roundabout to the west of the major development and the junction of Park Lane and the existing Nine Mile Ride to the east, forming a 2km route to help residents reach local amenities and travel further afield.
Wokingham Borough Council, which led the project in partnership with contractor Balfour Beatty (image credit), hopes as many journeys as possible will be made on foot, by bicycle or using public transport, and it is working to make this safer and more convenient across the borough.
The extension was funded and built, in part, by developers building new housing in the area, under legal agreements reached when they got planning permission. The council is facing unprecedented financial pressures but is doing all it can to reduce costs and protect vital services.
Flood Action Week
To coincide with Flood Action Week, we’re working with the Environment Agency to ensure we’re all prepared for extreme weather through the winter months.
Our flooding pages have tips on how to prepare. Sign up to the free flood warning alert or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188.
Marking World Occupational Therapy Week
It’s World Occupational Therapy Week, allowing us to recognise and celebrate our occupational therapists in the borough and the amazing work they do.
They are practitioners who uses techniques to improve, rehabilitate, or maintain a person’s ability to perform everyday activities.
The work carried out by our occupational therapists in the borough is incredibly important, including assessing conditions and needs, developing focused treatment plans and assessing how they can improve quality of life for the people they work with.
We’re currently advertising for an occupational therapist to join us, apply on our jobs pages.
Don’t forget the Black History Month event at Woodley Baptist Church (RG5 4UX) tomorrow (Saturday) night, doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. It’s free entry, attending means you’ll get food and has a fantastic line-up to keep you entertained.
What you might have missed
Here’s all the updates we’ve sent out by email in the last week. If you’d like to get any of the above regularly, use our sign up page to register.
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