Regular cost of living help newsletter will stop
We can see many residents find this newsletter more useful when the weather’s cold. So as we head into spring we’ll be stopping these regular updates.
We may still send you a newsletter if there is new support or other projects which are relevant to you, but this will be every so often.
There’s been a fortnightly update to help residents with the rising cost of living since autumn 2023. We hope they’ve been useful.
Your feedback on this newsletter would be appreciated, please select from the list below on what you think of it:
Any other feedback or comments you’d like to give can be sent to CEM@wokingham.gov.uk. You can sign up for other newsletters from the council on our website.
Cost of living help hub here for you
We’ll continue to update and add to our cost of living help hub on our website. Check if you’re struggling at any point. Here’s some of the most used pages:
Our previous edition of the cost of living help newsletter may also be useful, which covers what to do if you’re concerned about rising bills with most going up this month.
Big Community Switch deadline brought forward
There is less than two weeks to register for the Big Community Switch, which can help you move to renewable energy and save money on your bills.
Big Community Switch uses the bargaining power of a large group to help secure lower prices and you will receive a personal offer after you register, which is free and there is no obligation to go ahead.
The deadline for the Wokingham Borough offer was previously Thursday 1 May, but this has now been brought forward to Friday 11 April.
This includes a free registration and a personal offer, which will set out how much you can save. There is no obligation to accept your personal offer and it is recommended to check other suppliers before making your decision.
Making the switch to renewable energy helps us to address the climate emergency and the objectives set out in our Climate Emergency Action Plan.
Your electricity meter could be due to switch off
Households and businesses in Wokingham Borough who use the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) are being urged to switch to a new smart meter.
The service uses a radio signal to manage peak and off-peak electricity rates for older meters, especially for electrical storage systems and heaters.
If you have an RTS meter, your energy supplier will contact you to schedule the installation of a new meter before the service ends on 30 June. RTS is being switched off as it has been deemed outdated and the equipment can no longer be maintained.
Ofgem expects all energy suppliers to replace RTS electricity meters before the service ends. There is no fee for replacing your current system with a smart meter.
If you know someone who you think might have an RTS meter encourage them to get it replaced as soon as possible. If you are unsure if you have RTS equipment, contact your electricity supplier, who will be able to confirm for you.
You can also watch a video on how to identify if you have a RTS meter on the Ofgem website.
Childcare cost saving
Changes to childcare support mean you might now be eligible for more help than ever before.
The Government has launched new support and there will be more options from September this year.
You can use the Childcare Choices website to enter your details and see what your situation means you’re entitled to.
Forest of Imagination – date for your diary
Wokingham Borough’s Forest of Imagination 2025 has a free showcase event open to everyone in May.
The event will feature new sensory installations co-created by professional artists and schools, incorporating ideas from local community groups.
There will also be participatory activities, performances and digital experiences for visitors to enjoy and deepen their connections to nature.
The award-winning Forest of Imagination is coming to the borough, with Bath Spa University, House of Imagination, and Grant Associates and thanks to Government support through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
It’s part of a celebratory four-day showcase at Dinton Pastures Country Park, the borough’s flagship park, from 22 to 25 May, with schools events on 22 and 23 May, before opening the doors to the public on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May.
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