Wokingham Borough Connect
 Community support for The Big Gathering
It’s less than a month until our Big Gathering at the Oakwood centre, Woodley, on Thursday 3 October, and we've been busy making plans so the day is useful and fun for everyone who comes.
We have been asking community groups and local experts to give short talks on topics that you told us you would like to find out more about when you came to our community conversations.
Some of the sessions you can choose on the day
- Thames Valley Police will be talking about how to stay safe online – a topic that came up at our talk on ‘communities where we all belong’ session
- Housing and Adult Social Care team will be explaining the housing process, inspired by our session on ‘everyone living in the place they call home’
- Two local residents will be sharing their experience and tips on how to find great support, linked to our session on helping people ‘lead the lives they want to live’
Try a new hobby
There will also be the chance for you to try out a new hobby with one of three friendly taster sessions. You might like to have a go at Boxercise, Dramatherapy or Drumming. All the activities are inclusive and are great for boosting your wellbeing.
How to book
The Big Gathering runs from 10am to 4pm and free catering will be provided by Ability Catering during the day.
To book a place, just click the button below or call 0118 977 8600 so we can put your name on the invite list. There is a limit on how many people can come so we can only welcome people who have reserved their space.
 Bringing support to the community with new outreach project
This month we’re launching a new scheme which will see us and our charity partners getting out into the community to take help and advice direct to communities with a new service called Resident Reception.
What is Resident Reception?
The aim of Resident Reception is to act as a one-stop shop for people to get help and information directly on a range of subjects, such as health and wellbeing, financial matters and housing. You can also be helped to find support elsewhere if needed. Find out more information about dates and times on our website.
Responding to residents
In our ‘Front Door' co-production project earlier this year, residents who were involved said it can be hard to know where to go for help when you need it, and that you might worry you will be judged. One of the ideas the group came up with was a friendly ‘Help Hub’ that people could drop into for advice, in places in their local community. This idea, and the experiences the group spoke about have helped to shape what the Resident Reception looks and feels like.
You can see the Resident Reception if you come to our Big Gathering on Thursday 3 October. You can ask for advice for yourself, or somebody else. We will also be asking for your feedback on this new service so we can make it a success.
 Tell us what you think about home support services
We are interested in hearing the opinions of people who have a support service in their home from the council. We want to make sure we have really great providers supporting people where they live, to stay safe and happy, offering the services that residents need.
Do you have paid support at your home to help you with washing and dressing, preparing food, reminding your to take medicine, or going out, to the shops or other activities? Maybe you have paid support to your home to help you learn new skills?
We would like to know
- What do you like about the service you receive?
- What isn’t working well?
- What would you change about the service if you had a magic wand to make things work better for you?
We have already started listening to residents. We have heard that it’s helpful to have somebody come to your home that you trust, but sometimes you would like your helper to stay for longer, or help at a different time, like being able to go to bed later. We also heard that you would like more support to go places locally, like to watch the football.
If you agree with this feedback or you have different views about what is working and what is not, please email us at getinvolved@wokingham.gov.uk so we can arrange a phone call to listen to your feedback. All the views we collect will be used to help make the services we deliver better for residents. We are interested in hearing from people who receive support, or who care about somebody who receives home support services.
|
