Wokingham Charity takes home national award
From nearly 2,000 nominations, The Link Visiting Scheme stood out for its incredible work building friendships and tackling loneliness across our borough.
The national recognition is proof of the charity’s 27 years of dedication, compassion, and community spirit.
Marjie Walker, CEO of The Link Visiting Scheme, said: “This is a wonderful acknowledgement of the love and friendship shown by our amazing volunteers, past and present, and our exceptional team. It’s a privilege to work alongside such inspiring people.”
The judge’s comment states: "The Link Visiting Scheme has made an extraordinary impact in tackling loneliness and social isolation, connecting over 1,000 older adults with volunteers."
They went on to call the charity a “shining example of compassion in action”.
A huge congratulations to the amazing team and volunteers.
Photo by Debbie Hare Photography.
Litter pickers tidy up Southlake
The group, made up of adults and young people, collected three bags of rubbish during the day.
Moushumi Patankar, ACT Foundation Coordinator, said: “When I, along with our wonderful volunteers, take part in litter picking, I feel deeply grateful that we are adding value to the community of Wokingham.
“WASP trusted us and invited us to adopt Woodland Avenue and Southlake, and since then, we’ve been doing our best to keep both areas clean and tidy.”
He added that people often honk their horns to show their appreciation.
The young volunteers are now planning to continue this several times a fortnight with their friends as part of the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) programme.
Anyone can join the ‘Adopt a Street’ scheme, to help keep our neighbourhoods green and litter free. Volunteers are provided with a litter pick, bin bags and high-vis vests.
Celebrating Diwali across Wokingham borough
Last week, communities across the borough came together to celebrate Diwali – the Festival of Lights.
One of the highlights was the Diwali Mela at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre, where over 500 people joined in the festivities, hosted by Art Celebration.
A Mela is a traditional gathering in Hindu culture, often held as a festival or celebration, bringing together communities for worship, entertainment, and cultural exchange.
- Vibrant cultural dance performances
- A fashion show showcasing traditional attire from across India
- A children’s ethnic dress show
Guests also enjoyed a wonderful variety of food and festive shopping stalls, while a heartfelt Diwali Puja was conducted by Hindu priest Pandit Anil ji.
The Mela supported the “Bring Your Neighbour” initiative, encouraging friendship and cultural exchange across our diverse communities.
Lead organiser, Aradhana Singh, said: “Events like Diwali Mela are so important for our community — they bring people together, provide a platform to showcase our vibrant culture, and allow everyone to celebrate the festival with joy and pride.”
Help spread Christmas cheer this holiday season
Christmas is a difficult time for many, with the need to balance budgets while not wanting to leave children disappointed.
The Cowshed is helping to ease this pressure for families through its Christmas project, which distributes presents to families in need across the borough.
Last year, the charity brought festive joy to over 2,400 children with lovingly chosen and beautifully wrapped gifts.
There are several ways to get involved:
“I honestly can’t thank you enough,” said a parent who was helped by the project last year.
“I was worried my child wouldn’t have a lot to open on Christmas and I was feeling like a failure. But with your help and generosity it really made a huge difference.”
Helping children discover the joy of reading
Did you know that, on average, eight children in every class at primary school leave unable to read well? ABC to read is working hard to change that – and you can help.
The charity trains and supports volunteers to become reading mentors in local primary schools. These volunteers work one-to-one with children in relaxed sessions designed to build confidence and develop reading skills.
Using tailored resources provided by ABC to read, mentors read, chat and play games with the children – always with a focus on praise and encouragement. Every child leaves their session feeling successful and excited for the next one.
ABC to read is currently looking for volunteers who love reading, can commit to regular sessions, and believe that every child deserves to discover the book that opens up the world of reading for them.
Eco Skills Learning Centre wins BBC Berkshire award
An offshoot of the Repair Café at Lambs Lane Primary School, the centre was praised by Judge Jenny Gow for teaching children practical skills such as building bird boxes from reclaimed wood. The award was presented at Reading Town Hall and now sits proudly in a cabinet handcrafted by one of the centre’s volunteers.
The centre has grown into an independent environmental hub, still run by the same dedicated team behind the Repair Café.
“We are very proud to receive the Make a Difference award. We truly hope that we are making a difference to our local environment,” the charity said. “A difference to young people and vulnerable adults, and a difference to our wonderful, enthusiastic, and very skilled volunteers.”
The next Repair Café session is on Sunday 16 November, 10am to 1pm at Lambs Lane Primary School. Residents are invited to bring household items for repair, learn new skills and help reduce waste.
 Pension Credit Week of Action
Pension Credit offers more than financial support – it unlocks extra help that could save eligible pensioners hundreds of pounds each year.
This year, Pension Credit week begins on 27 October, and offers an opportunity to discuss the support available for yourself or your loved ones.
Four ways Pension Credit helps pensioners save:
- Housing costs: Pension Credit could help reduce your housing expenses, including a Council Tax Reduction, Housing Benefit if they're renting, or Support for Mortgage Interest if they own their home.
- Energy bills: Pension Credit can open access to additional energy support, such as the Warm Home Discount to reduce electricity costs and Cold Weather Payments during particularly cold spells.
- Health and wellbeing: Pension Credit may provide access to essential free NHS services. This includes dental treatment and help with transport costs for hospital appointments.
- TV Licence: Pensioners aged 75+ on Pension Credit qualify for a free TV licence.
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