A recent session was packed with activity, including pizza-making, arts and crafts, a visit from Wokingham Library, free energy advice and even a pop-up repair service from Wokingham Repair Café. Volunteers repaired 10 items for families and the school, ranging from bikes to a broken vacuum cleaner.

Open to eligible families in Norreys, Emmbrook, Evendons and Wescott, The Grub Club is about much more than food. It gives families the opportunity to access local services and support in a friendly setting.

Among those attending were Energy Advisors from Connecting Communities in Berkshire (CCB), who offered advice on reducing energy and water bills, managing utility debt and accessing financial support. CCB's free Energy Advice Project is available across Berkshire and provides one-to-one telephone support, including help with water bill discounts, energy debt, insulation grants and comparing energy tariffs.

To find out more about CCB, visit their website. If you'd like to book a repair, find out more about upcoming sessions or volunteer, visit the Wokingham Repair Café website.

Around 40 people came together at Dinton Pastures Country Park on Sunday 19 July for a charity family walk in support of Daisy’s Dream. 

Borough Mayor Cllr Rob Comber attended and took part in the walk, with the event raising more than £550 for his chosen charity.  

The event was organised by HSS (UK) Wokingham Shakha and saw families and friends enjoy a gentle five-kilometre walk around the lakes and nature trails.  

The fundraising walk was held in aid of Daisy’s Dream, a Berkshire charity that helps children and young people cope with bereavement and the serious illness of a parent or sibling.  

Organisers described the event as a great success and thanked everyone who took part, donated or helped make the event possible. 

Anyone who would still like to support the cause can donate online. 

The Wokingham Borough Community Lottery is making a real difference to local good causes, including 2nd Crowthorne Scout Group.  

Thanks to money raised through lottery ticket sales, the group has been able to offer heavily subsidised water sports activities this summer, helping ensure that all young people can take part regardless of their financial circumstances. 

Children enjoyed activities including katakanuing - a cross between canoeing and bell boating - and paddle boarding, alongside the group's wider programme of outdoor adventures. 

The funding supports the Scouts' commitment to providing accessible activities that build confidence, teamwork and life skills. To date, the group has raised nearly £500 through the lottery. 

Group supporters are benefiting too. Local resident Pam Elvin, who supports 2nd Crowthorne Scout Group through the lottery, recently won £250 in one of the draws.  

Tickets cost just £1 a week, and players can support a local good cause of their choice, with at least 50p from every ticket going directly to that organisation. As well as helping local groups thrive, players have the chance to win prizes of up to £25,000 in the weekly draw and take part in monthly prize draws. You must be aged 18 or over to play. Please gamble responsibly. Be Gamble Aware. 

This role is ideal for people who enjoy meeting others, working as part of a team and creating a warm atmosphere for visitors of all ages. Responsibilities include supervising volunteers during opening hours, learning how to use the café’s coffee machine and helping to maintain the café’s excellent hygiene standards, which have earned it a five-star rating. Successful volunteers will receive funded Food Hygiene Level 1 and HACCP training.

The café is open on Mondays from 10am to 12pm, Tuesdays from 2pm to 4pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 1pm.

To find out more, contact Café Manager Sandra Burbury at sandraburbury@allsaintswokingham.gov.org or call 0118 979 2793.

For other volunteering opportunities across the borough, contact Wokingham Volunteer Centre.

Enjoy a free community meal in Shinfield this September, bringing residents together to celebrate diversity and build new connections. 

The event is being held at High Copse Pavilion on 19 September from 11am to 2pm and everyone is welcome. 

It is being hosted by Voice of Inclusion and Equality, a community partnership network, along with the Communities Vision team. 

The aim is to bring together long-standing and new residents as Shinfield continues to grow, helping people to share experiences, strengthen community ties and learn more about the support and activities available. 

Reserve your space at the community meal today and celebrate what makes Shinfield a special place to live. 

The pair want to champion issues that matter most to young people, including mental health, fair opportunities and youth engagement in decision-making.

As Laima explains: “We’re excited to speak about issues nationally and to hopefully have those conversations with people that have the power to make real change happen.

“Tangible change might not be possible, in terms of the next 12 months, but often raising awareness is enough to begin making it happen.”

Jasmine said: “We want to work towards fairer opportunities for all young people.”

She believes young people need better opportunities to have their voices heard, adding: “I think platforms like the Youth Council are really important, because then you can bring your views and ideas forward.”

Secondary school pupils aged 11 to 18 can join Wokingham Borough’s Youth Council by emailing youthvoice@wokingham.gov.uk.