Cost of living help this summer
The school holidays are just about to begin and we know it can be expensive period for everyone. This newsletter has options and advice for help which could help this summer.
We’ve some guides to help people through the support for different groups:
And start at our cost of living help page if you’re not sure which page to start on from the list above.
 Get money to help
If you are struggling or worried about paying for food or other essentials during the summer, help is here for you.
Our data shows more and more people are changing supermarkets, cancelling memberships, stopping going out and relying on loans and credit cards for essentials. Yet the majority in this situation have not come forward for help.
Help is available if you’re struggling to pay for:
- Food
- Bills
- Energy
- Other essentials
We have £100 vouchers ready if you need it.
There’s specific support if you have children who receive means-tested free school meals. This is £15 per week, per child during the holidays.
 Items to help you lower your bills
A project led by First Days Children’s Charity helped 900 families to get items which helped to lower their bills. It was supported by a range of organisations across the borough.
They invested £60,000 into energy efficient devices and these have created an estimated £150,000 savings already. These will help people save thousands more in the years ahead.
Items on offer included dehumidifiers, heated clothes dryers, slow cookers, air fryers, energy efficient light bulbs and more. More items are ready to distribute ahead of this winter.
Visit the winter warmer project pages to find out how to access items.
 Help with food
SHARE offers fresh produce, like bread and vegetables, for those who need it. These are surplus stock from local supermarkets.
More than 2,000 people use it each week and it has saved more than 1,000 tonnes in food waste since it was launched a few years ago.
The team look after more than 10 sites in and around the borough.
And if you’re in an emergency, foodbanks are also listed online and can provide crisis support if you need it.
 What to do this summer (for free or almost free)
The Berkshire Mummies blog has a list of free or low cost activities across Berkshire which you could do this summer.
The blog lists 50 things you can do for free to make the most of the school holidays. Some in our area are:
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California Country Park, Wokingham – The play area is a large play space which is suitable for both younger and older children.
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Cantley Park, Wokingham – The park has an excellent variety of play equipment to suit all ages – it is laid out in different zones for different age groups and there is also wheelchair accessible equipment in the play area.
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Dinton Pastures Country Park, Wokingham– There is a great play area here plus there is a lovely walk to be had around the lake.
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FBC Play Area, Finchampstead– Finchampstead Baptist Church (FBC) Play Area is an impressive space which is suitable for all ages and there is certainly plenty to do. There is a large playground plus a multi-use games area and a woodland walk.
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Pinewood Centre Adventure Play Area, Wokingham Without – There are two brilliant playgrounds at The Pinewood Centre in Wokingham Without – one is a wooden adventure playground set in a woodland and the other is train themed and next to the Pinewood Miniature Railway
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Woodford Park, Woodley – There are three play areas here plus a paddling pool and skatepark
- The War Memorial and Mosaic Trails, Wokingham – Did you know there are three Wokingham Trails which you can do for free? All of the trails can be found on the Wokingham Town History App which is free to download and gives you all of the locations for the trails and the things you are looking to spot
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Woodford Park paddling pool, Woodley – Check opening times on the website
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Simon’s Wood, Finchampstead – A lovely place to walk and wonderful to be fully immersed in the woods – with tall trees, thick woodland and well defined paths.
A host of other free or low cost events are also suggested for the rest of July, August and some in September.
Need help and not sure where to go?
Contact One Front Door, a service led by Citizens Advice, Wokingham, that helps residents find the most appropriate support.
Use the online referral form or call 0808 278 7958, Monday to Friday.
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