New SHARE site opens in Earley
SHARE has opened a new site in Earley, so it can help even more people access food.
It’s now running weekly at Brookside Church (RG6 7HG), next to the Brookside GP surgery, on Wednesdays from 5.30pm to 6.30pm, with a café open from 5pm.
People pay £1 and can collect as much fresh produce as they can in a shopping basket as well as a few items which would otherwise be surplus.
SHARE offers fresh produce, like bread and vegetables, for those who need it at sites across the area. These are surplus stock from local supermarkets.
Each week its teams help more than 2,000 people in our community who need support with food by redistributing an incredible 40 tonnes of food from local supermarkets and food suppliers that would otherwise go to waste.
Check our food map for SHARE locations and other ways to get help with food.
Winter Fuel Payments changes
The Government has announced changes to Winter Fuel Payments, which will come into place for this winter (2024/25).
The tax-free payment had been made to all pensioners to help with winter energy bills but will be now only be for people if you were born before 23 September 1958 and you get one of the following:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
You’ll get a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get, if you’re eligible.
Check your Pension Credit eligibility
You may be eligible for Pension Credit but not be claiming it. Checking if you meet the criteria could mean you can get Winter Fuel Payments this year.
Even if you have modest savings, a retirement income or own your home, you could still get Pension Credit. Check your eligibility online.
Get money off your Council Tax
If your household takes home less than £2,125 per month, you could be entitled to money off your Council Tax bills.
You could be eligible for a Council Tax Reduction even if your household takes home slightly more than this as some benefits do not count towards claims.
If you already get a reduction but your situation has changed, you could be entitled to additional support. Check the latest reduction amounts on our website.
There are eligibility criteria for reductions, full details are on our website.
Pre-loved uniform shop summer opening
First Days Children’s Charity’s low-cost school uniform shop is open this summer, to help anyone ahead of the new school year starting next month.
It will be open every Thursday during the school summer holidays from 10am to 6pm at 3 The Courtyard, Denmark Street, Wokingham (RG40 2AZ).
It will also be open on some Saturdays from 10am to 3pm at the same location. These openings are on the 10, 17 and 31 August.
We’re working alongside First Days to help residents access affordable school uniform across the borough. Card and cash accepted, open to all.
Credit union partner awarded
Our partner Boom Community Bank has won an consumer award for its service and support for members.
Boom is the credit union for Berkshire and provides banking services to all residents, including those which may struggle to use normal banks. It’s used by more than 150 Wokingham Borough residents.
It was recognised as the Best Credit Union (South) at the Consumer Credit Awards. They were given the prize based on the experiences and feedback of customers.
Hundreds of customers and members left reviews and rated Boom's services, showing the positive impact its services had on their financial lives.
You can find out more about how Boom can help you with savings, loans and debts on our website.
Money to help with essentials
Even though we’re in the warmer months of the year, we know the higher cost of living continues to impact residents in our borough.
Apply to the Household Support Fund if you’re struggling, you could get up to £140 to help with food and other essentials.
Anyone can apply and you don’t need to be receiving benefits or other support to get this help.
|
