 Last chance to give views on waste changes
Our consultation on changes to rubbish and recycling collections closes on Monday (5 December).
Join more than 8,000 residents who have had their say on these changes, which could mean a move to wheelie bins, as well as looking at fortnightly or three-weekly collections.
 Creating a truly inclusive library
The new Wokingham Library continues to show its credentials as one of the most inclusive libraries in the area with the creation of a new guide designed to make the library accessible for those with additional needs.
The guide was produced with CLASP, Wokingham’s Caring, Listening and Supporting Partnership, a self-advocacy group for people with learning disabilities in the borough.
Members of CLASP visited the library before it opened to the public in September, and took photos of the space for the guide, along with helping to create a floorplan showing users where different things are located within the library.
The library service also used a range of equality data captured from new memberships since March 2020 to help shape the designs.
This led to improvements such as better physical access to book stock, facilities for neuro-divergent library users and colour palettes sensitive to the neuro-divergent and people with Alzheimers.
The new space is also all on one floor to make it easier for those with mobility issues to navigate and includes improved disabled toilet facilities, including a changing places facility in the wider Carnival Hub.
 Help if you’re struggling this Christmas
If you’re struggling and worried about marking Christmas for your family, help is at hand. We’ve pulled together help at Christmas with local organisations who may be able to help you.
Christmas Day lunch
The Link Visiting Scheme will be running its annual Christmas Day event. Book for the Link Christmas lunch if you’re spending Christmas alone.
If you would like to refer someone who will be alone on Christmas Day or would benefit from extra support and companionship over the Christmas period, please complete the referral form below.
If you’re a friend, neighbour or professional, you can refer someone but please discuss it with them first and gain their permission.
A Christmas Presence
Helping give children and their families a Christmas to remember, despite the cost of living crisis. This takes place at The Elevate Centre on Denmark Street in Wokingham (RG40 2AZ).
A Christmas Presence is run by First Days Children’s Charity, SHARE Wokingham and Wokingham Foodbank. They get support from us, other local charities and groups to run a community Christmas project.
Christmas shopping for Wokingham Borough families open throughout December, by appointment only. Families who have been identified as needing help will be invited to come along to choose gifts for their children and items for a food hamper.
If you’re not struggling but want to help others, you can:
This all covered, along with dozens of other points of help and advice, on our cost of living help hub.
 Emmbrook School expansion plans
We're planning an expansion of the Emmbrook School in Wokingham to address a shortfall in Year 7 places - and we want your views.
The proposals, produced in partnership with HLM Architects , will be displayed at an open evening at the school between 6.30pm and 8pm next Wednesday (7 December). The scheme includes:
- a new reception extension and two-storey modular sixth form block
- remodelling and landscaping to create wheelchair access
- converting the current sixth form centre into a larger dining area
- demolishing the current admin block to create additional parking
Emmbrook is one of several schools we're currently working with to increase secondary capacity.
How to get help if you don’t feel safe at home
We’re reaching out to borough residents who are unsafe in their own homes to ensure they understand what help is available.
We’re committed to keeping all residents safe and protecting vital services, including sheltering those who are fleeing domestic abuse, whilst working towards a community in which people can live without fear of abuse.
Our home refuge scheme aims to help those affected by domestic abuse to remain in their home around their friends and family network if it is safe to do so.
Where the perpetrator no longer lives or has the right to live in the property, the scheme can help those affected by domestic abuse to feel safer in their home through the provision of additional security measures.
Measures are based on the individual property and can include door and window alarms, a video doorbell, padlocks on gates and a flap lock letter box which are installed free of charge.
If this is not an option, the council can offer advice and assistance about different options available to anyone in the borough that is homeless or threatened with homelessness due to domestic abuse.
The Reading Toy Run sets off at 2pm on Sunday (4 December), with a rolling road closure along Lower Earley Way, Reading Road, Rectory Road and Wiltshire Road. Be prepared for short delays if you’re travelling in Earley, Winnersh and Wokingham at this time.
What you might have missed
Our weekly updates help keep you up to date with what matters most to you. Sign up for more updates on our website.
Here’s everything you might have missed since last Friday:
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