Supporting the ambitions of the Communities Vision
 New trail helps residents explore Lower Earley
A new waymarked walking route is making it easier for residents to discover some of Lower Earley’s most attractive green spaces.
The 3.5-mile Lower Earley Green Corridor Trail has been signposted by Loddon Valley Ramblers, creating a mostly traffic-free route stretching from Loddon Bridge to Shinfield Road. The trail passes through woodland, meadows and parkland, including Pearman’s Copse, Swallow’s Meadow, Wood of Eagles and the Loddon-side path between Sindlesham and Loddon Bridge.
The project was made possible through funding from Earley Town Council and support from volunteers from the Earley Environmental Group, who installed waymarkers and trail markers during summer 2026. Thanks were also given to Wokingham Borough Council, the University of Reading and local land managers for enabling the route to be signposted.
With public transport links available along the route, the trail is designed for both leisure walks and active travel, helping more people enjoy and connect with the area’s natural environment. Directions are available through the Loddon Valley Ramblers website.
 Finding his people: John's Story
John was a pub landlord for decades. Three years ago, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. His wife noticed the changes first. Rather than withdrawing, John's wife encouraged him to visit Link Thursdays - a weekly friendship cafe run by Link Visiting Scheme at All Saints Church.
"I love it here," John said. "They really make me feel safe and welcome."
Now, Link Thursdays is part of his week. He tells stories. He bowls with friends. He still pops into one of his old pubs. He feels part of something.
When diagnosis comes, community can step in. Connection can continue. Belonging doesn't have to disappear.
That's what Social Care Future is all about: helping people continue doing the things that matter to them, staying connected to the people, places and activities they love and being part of communities where we look out for one another.
 Charity thanks volunteers powering busy summer
The Cowshed has paid tribute to its hundreds of volunteers.
Based in Berkshire, The Cowshed provides clothing, household items and practical support to people facing hardship, helping individuals and families access essential items with dignity when they need them most.
Volunteers carry out a wide range of roles, from sorting donations and preparing referral orders to supporting events, delivering workshops and welcoming families with kindness and respect.
This summer the charity has delivered its Holiday Activities and Food programme, supporting young people through prom appointments, hosting mothers' coffee mornings and continuing refugee football sessions and sewing courses.
Becky Russell from The Cowshed said: “Our volunteers really are at the heart of everything we do. Together, they make an extraordinary difference to thousands of local people every year. Quite simply, we couldn’t do what we do without them.”
 Help support search and rescue
Berkshire Lowland Search & Rescue (BLSAR) is looking for volunteer Community Champions to help raise awareness of its work and build connections across Berkshire.
The volunteer role involves becoming a local representative for the charity, helping to develop relationships with businesses, schools, clubs and community groups while identifying opportunities for fundraising, sponsorship and partnerships. The position is predominantly home-based and requires around five flexible hours each week.
BLSAR supports police and other agencies in the search for vulnerable missing people and relies on volunteers and community support to continue its work.
The charity is looking for friendly, organised and proactive people who enjoy meeting others and making connections in their local area. Community Champions will play an important role in helping the charity grow its network and support future fundraising activities.
For information about this opportunity, contact Recruitment@berkshirerescue.org.uk.
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.
Lottery winner praises charity that helped her through cancer journey
When Jayne Traill won £250 through the Wokingham Borough Community Lottery, she knew exactly how she wanted to spend it. Half of her winnings will be donated to My Cancer My Choices, with the other half going towards a well-deserved meal with her husband, who she says has been “so wonderful” in supporting her since her cancer diagnosis last year.
For Jayne, the lottery is about far more than the chance of winning a prize.
“The only reason I do this lottery is because it supports My Cancer My Choices,” she said. “They provide free complementary therapies for people like myself who are going through the challenges of a cancer diagnosis and treatment. I am so grateful for the chance to have reflexology and oncology massages that have helped me psychologically deal with my condition.”
My Cancer My Choices, which supports people living with cancer across Berkshire, said Jayne’s donation and heartfelt words mean a great deal to the charity. The organisation added that stories like hers perfectly capture why its services are so important.
Tickets for the Wokingham Borough Community Lottery cost just £1 a week, with at least 50p from every ticket going directly to a local good cause chosen by the player. As well as supporting community organisations, players have the chance to win prizes of up to £25,000. Players must be aged 18 or over. Be Gamble Aware.
 Charity opens new centre to meet growing demand
Building for the Future (BftF), a charity supporting disabled children, young adults and their families, has opened a larger centre called The Treehouse. The move comes after the charity outgrew its previous home in Wokingham.
Located on the outskirts of Reading, The Treehouse offers sensory and soft play areas, specialist equipment, outdoor space and facilities designed to help children and young people build confidence, independence and life skills. It also includes the BftF Plus centre, which supports young adults with physical disabilities and complex additional needs.
Jane Holmes, founder and CEO of Building for the Future, said: “We wanted to create somewhere that families could come and feel completely at home, somewhere their children could play, learn, develop and make friends, while parents could meet other families who understand what life can be like.”
The charity is now fundraising to expand its activities and create new outdoor sensory and wellbeing spaces, helping it reach even more families across Berkshire.
 Pop along to a residents' reception
We’ve brought back regular drop-in events across the borough – at times and places which work better for you.
Our Residents’ Reception drop-ins provide a one-stop shop and access to different support and advice. Come along and learn more about:
- Health and wellbeing advice
- Care and support to help you live well
- Support with managing your finances
- Other local services and activities connecting you to your community
We first held our Residents’ Reception drop-ins in September 2024 and they ran successfully until last April. We heard that residents loved being able to access different support and information in one, local place – and that sessions would work better if they were later in the day, at different locations.
Next Residents’ Receptions coming up:
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Tuesday 8 September (normally, the second Tuesday each month), Winnersh Garden Centre, Reading Road (RG41 5HG), 1:30pm to 4:30pm
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Thursday 17 September (normally, the third Thursday each month), Woodley Library, Headley Road (RG5 4JA), 3:30pm to 6:30pm
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Thursday 24 September (normally, the fourth Thursday each month), Space For All, All Saints Church Wokingham, Wiltshire Road (RG40 1TN), 10am to 1pm
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Tuesday 6 October (normally, the first Tuesday each month), Shinfield Garden Centre, Hyde End Road (RG2 9ER), 10am to 1pm
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