A local charity making a real difference to families in need has been raising vital funds through the Wokingham Borough Community Lottery. 

Since the lottery launched last spring, it has helped Home-Start Wokingham raise more than £300. A spokesperson said: “Thank you to the Community Lottery for supporting Home‑Start Wokingham. Your donations help us to be there for local families when they need us most.” 

Home-Start Wokingham supports parents with at least one pre-school child who are facing challenges such as isolation, mental or physical health issues, multiple births or financial pressures. Trained volunteers visit families each week, offering friendly, confidential and non-judgemental support to help parents feel more confident and connected. 

Earlier this year, Camille from Reading won £2,000 in the lottery and chose Home-Start Wokingham as her good cause. She said: “I was previously a volunteer and have seen first-hand the incredible difference they make to families who need extra support." 

Tickets for the lottery cost £1, and at least 50p goes to a local good cause of your choice. You must be over 18 to play. Be Gamble Aware. 

The annual community litter pick returns this weekend and everyone is invited to take part. There is no need to book or sign up. Simply come along and join in on Saturday 21 or Sunday 22 March.

These events are organised by parish and town councils and local volunteer groups, with litter picking sessions taking place across the borough. Clean ups will be happening in Arborfield, Barkham, Charvil, Finchampstead, Remenham, Shinfield, Sonning, Swallowfield, Twyford, Winnersh, Wokingham town and Woodley, so there are plenty of opportunities to get involved close to home.

If you have your own litter picker you are encouraged to bring it, as equipment supplied on the day is available on a first come first served basis. 

All bags will be collected by our team afterwards, making it easy for everyone to contribute. Every bag of litter removed helps protect wildlife, keeps our streets, parks and green spaces looking their best and supports a cleaner, healthier environment for everyone. It is a simple way to make a real difference and show pride in the places we live. 

A list of all the litter picks taking place and how to get involved can be found here. 

Last year we shared the wonderful news that two charities in the borough had received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest recognition a voluntary organisation can receive in the United Kingdom. 

On Tuesday 3 March, Wokingham in Need and Kaleidoscopic UK were presented with the award by the Lord Lieutenant for the Royal County of Berkshire, Andrew Try. 

This proud moment marked a celebration of the remarkable work done by both charities, which continue to make a real difference to the lives of residents across the borough. 

Wokingham in Need supports homeless and vulnerable people through a wide range of local projects. Founder Susan Jackson said the award is a "tribute to the hard work and commitment" of their volunteers, supporters and sponsors who work tirelessly to help those most in need. 

Kaleidoscopic UK empowers and supports victim-survivors of domestic abuse. Their spokesperson said the award honours every survivor, volunteer and supporter who has helped drive their mission forward. 

A heartfelt well done to both charities for everything they do for our community. 

The Rotary Club of Wokingham has celebrated its 75th anniversary of service to the local community. The club was first formed in 1951 and members gathered on 9 March at The Ship Inn with cake to reflect on decades of friendship, volunteering and community projects. 

Guided by the Rotary motto of “Service above Self”, the club has supported a wide range of initiatives from local fundraising to international relief efforts. Highlights over the years include the annual fireworks at Cantley Park, events for Young Carers and Young Musicians, the Rotary Children’s Fun Day at Addington School and regular collections that help provide food vouchers during the festive period. Members have also contributed to global causes including Polio Plus and support for Ukraine. 

Club President Bruce Weir said: “We are looking forward to another busy year of activities and would like to thank our local Wokingham residents for their strong and generous support over the years. It is a testament to the community spirit of Wokingham that we can continue to run our events and projects.” 

The club will continue its celebrations throughout the anniversary year and will host a special event at Wellington College in April 2026.

The Wokingham Job Support Centre has supported local residents into work for more than 30 years, and the team is now expanding. The centre is seeking a volunteer client advisor to help meet growing demand. 

They are looking for someone with experience in recruitment, either as a people leader or an HR professional, who has a genuine passion for helping others. Coaching experience is also a welcome bonus. 

The volunteer client advisor will provide one-to-one support to job seekers, helping them understand their skills, build confidence and find the right role. Meetings take place at the centre at The Cornerstone on Norreys Avenue, at various outreach locations or online. The time commitment is around half a day each week. 

Anyone interested is invited to email their CV to jobsearch@wjsc.org.uk 

To find out more about volunteering in Wokingham Borough, visit the Wokingham Volunteer Centre website, call 0118 977 0749 or email volunteer@wok-vol.org.uk. 

Best Start Family Hubs are here to offer families in Wokingham Borough easy access to support in places that feel welcoming and familiar. We are relaunching our children’s centres under this new name as part of a national initiative designed to make it simpler to find the help you need, when you need it.  

Our first celebration event took place on Saturday 14 March at The Ambleside Centre, with a fun morning of play and conversation. If you missed it, join us on Saturday 21 March from 9.30am to 12.30pm for more activities, friendly advice and a chance to explore what your local hub can provide. 

Families have told us that it can sometimes be difficult to know where to go for help, and services do not always feel joined up. Best Start Family Hubs are designed to change this by bringing a wide range of support together in one place, from pregnancy through the early years and up to age 19, or 25 for young people with SEND. 

Please take a moment to complete our short survey to help shape future services. 

• Are you struggling financially? Support is available at a drop-in session being held at the Citizens Advice Wokingham office in Woodley on Saturday 21 March from 10am to 4pm. The session will look at whether attendees can be awarded money from the Household Support Fund. If you wish to attend, please bring evidence of your situation, including bank statements. Representatives from Citizens Advice Wokingham, Age UK Berkshire, Wokingham United Charities and First Days Children's Charity will be present.  

• We’re developing a new Physical Activity Strategy and want to hear what would help you be more active in your daily life. Your feedback will shape future programmes, facilities and support across the borough. Please take a few minutes to share your views in the survey.  

• The next Repair Cafe at Lambs Lane Primary School will take place on Sunday 22 March from 10 am to 1 pm, giving residents the chance to bring along broken household items for volunteer repairs. The textile club will meet on 19 March from 6pm to 8pm at the Eco Skills Learning Centre, where participants will be making pocket wall hangings. If you are interested in attending, email billie@spencerswoodrepaircafe.co.uk. The centre has also reached a major milestone, having built more than 1,000 bird boxes over the past two years, helping visitors learn new skills while supporting local wildlife.