Supporting the ambitions of the Communities Vision
 Foodbank steps up support for families during summer
Wokingham Foodbank has been helping local families through the summer holidays with extra support aimed at easing financial pressures during the school break.
Thanks to a grant from the Wokingham Lions Club, volunteers have packed special summer bags containing everyday essentials such as sunscreen, as well as fresh fruit and snacks for local residents. The initiative has provided practical support for families facing increased costs over the holiday period.
Linda Miller, volunteer and project coordinator at Wokingham Foodbank, said: “Being part of the packing team has been great. It feels like a really practical way to support our community, and we hope it helps ease the financial pressure on local families this summer.”
The charity is currently supporting around 70 residents each week through food parcels, including between 25 and 30 children.
Foodbank manager Annette Medhurst praised the generosity of local residents, whose donations of food and household essentials continue to make a vital difference to people across the borough.
 Families invited to join Tree for Life Garden
Families in Shinfield are being invited to celebrate the birth or adoption of a child by applying for a tree in the new Tree for Life Garden, a community planting scheme led by the University of Reading in partnership with local charity Freely Fruity.
The garden will feature locally sourced fruit trees, a wildflower meadow and dedicated spaces for families to enjoy nature together. The project aims to support local wildlife, create new habitats and help children develop a lasting connection with nature as they grow.
Children must be under 11 years old, or due to be born in 2026, and live in Shinfield to be eligible. There are 36 trees available, which will be allocated at random if demand exceeds supply. Families interested in taking part must submit an expression of interest by Sunday 27 September 2026.
Molli Cleaver, Community Engagement Manager at the University of Reading, said: “The Tree for Life Garden lets us celebrate the youngest members of our Shinfield community while giving them a lasting connection to the local environment. We hope families will take real ownership of their tree and the wider garden as their child grows.”
Do you know someone who receives care and support in the community, or who may be affected by changes to care charges in the future? We’re seeking views on a proposal to change the age at which residents qualify for the highest level of the Minimum Income Guarantee, from 60 to 66 in line with the State Pension age. Share your feedback by 27 September and help us understand the potential impact on local residents.
 Getting ready for back to school
Are your children starting a new school this September? Or perhaps they've had a growth spurt over the summer and need some new uniform?
First Days Children’s Charity is on hand to help families get ready for the new school year with its low-cost school uniform shop in Wokingham.
Located at 3 The Courtyard, next to Denmark Street Car Park, the shop offers affordable second-hand uniform for local schools, helping parents save money while ensuring children have everything they need for the start of term.
One parent recently shared: “Between the cost of living and being on statutory maternity pay, being able to get a few school items for a fraction of the price of brand new will really help.”
The shop stocks a wide range of items, including branded and plain uniform, shirts, polo shirts, trousers, skirts, PE kits, coats and school shoes.
Open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout the summer holidays, the shop provides a practical and sustainable way for families to prepare for the new school year.
For opening times and the latest updates, visit the First Days website or follow First Days on social media.
 Repair Café volunteers head to Reading Festival
Volunteers from Wokingham Repair Café will be joining forces with Repair Cafés across Berkshire this summer to support the first-ever Reading Repairium at Reading Festival 2026 from Thursday 27 August to Sunday 30 August.
The pop-up repair hub will offer free repairs for festivalgoers and crew throughout the Bank Holiday weekend, helping to keep broken items out of landfill while raising donations for Berkshire Youth. Staffed by more than 30 skilled volunteers, the Repairium will provide on-the-spot fixes for damaged camping equipment, clothing and everyday essentials, from broken tent poles and air beds to ripped bags and faulty torches.
Ian Grange, a regular Wokingham Repair Café volunteer helping to run the initiative, said: "Fixing broken gear is one of the quickest wins on the sustainability front. We're offering a practical, genuinely useful service that tackles one of the biggest causes of campsite waste."
Wokingham Repair Café, which recently celebrated its second birthday, holds monthly sessions where volunteers help residents repair household and fashion items free of charge.
 A new place for remembrance and reflection
Thousands of young trees, new paths, grassland and wildflowers are helping transform the Covid Memorial Woodland into a lasting place for remembrance and reflection.
Residents, volunteers, community groups, partners and council colleagues have all played a part in creating the woodland, near California Country Park.
The community is invited to come together at the woodland from 6.30pm to 7.30pm on Thursday 27 August. The evening will recognise everyone who helped bring it to life and is planned to include a reading, a moment of reflection, a commemorative watering and time to explore the woodland as the sun sets.
Everyone is welcome.
Wokingham Lions Club is celebrating 10 years of the Wokingham Walk, with its autumn event taking place on Sunday 18 October. Starting and finishing at Elms Field, walkers can choose from 5, 10 or 15-mile routes while enjoying the countryside around Wokingham. The event also provides a great opportunity to raise money for local charities and good causes. Registration is now open.
 Volunteers needed to support adults with learning disabilities
Gateway Wokingham, run by Promise Inclusion, is looking for volunteers to help support adults with learning disabilities at its popular weekly activity programme.
The six-hour sessions, held every Thursday in Wokingham town centre, offer participants the chance to develop life skills, build confidence and independence, make friends and enjoy a wide range of activities tailored to their individual needs and interests.
Participants can choose to work towards the Gateway Award, a structured programme similar to the Duke of Edinburgh Award, or simply take part in activities that challenge, inspire and encourage personal growth. The flexible programme offers something for everyone, helping members gain a sense of achievement while having fun.
Volunteers can support either a morning or afternoon session, or stay for the full day from 9.30am to 3.30pm. To find out more about volunteering with Gateway Wokingham, contact admin@promiseinclusion.org.
For information about other volunteering opportunities across the borough, visit the Wokingham Volunteer Centre website, call 0118 977 0749 or email volunteer@wok-vol.org.uk.
 Finding herself again: Samy’s story
For Samy, a mum of two young daughters, being unable to join in with everyday family life was one of the hardest consequences of living with fibromyalgia. Once active and independent, she found herself struggling with mobility, unable to do the school run or even get down on the floor to play with her children.
Everything changed when she was referred to Wokingham Borough Council’s Adult Social Care team. Guided by Occupational Therapist Laura, Samy received practical support centred on what mattered most to her. As part of the council’s Social Care Future approach, the focus was not just on managing a condition but helping Samy live the life she wanted.
Through tailored equipment and creative solutions, Samy was able to regain confidence, reconnect with her community and enjoy precious moments with her daughters again. Today, she is involved in her school PTA and helps shape local services through Wokingham’s Inclusive Design Group.
“I feel like I’m finding who I am again,” said Samy.
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