Supporting the ambitions of the Communities Vision
 Nailed it! Funding to help women and girls learn DIY
Nail It DIY, which already runs practical DIY workshops across Wokingham and the surrounding area, has secured funding from Wokingham United Charities to expand opportunities for women and girls across the borough next year.
The community interest company offers hands-on sessions covering everything from home maintenance and repairs to tiling and woodwork, helping women build practical skills and confidence in a supportive environment.
The new funding will support a dedicated programme of DIY workshops for women and girls across Wokingham Borough. It will also help Nail It DIY develop a more joined-up referral and booking process and strengthen relationships with local support organisations, enabling it to reach more people and better respond to local needs.
Sarah, co-director of Nail It DIY, said: “One of the things we love most about Nail It is seeing the change in confidence that can happen when women are given the opportunity to learn practical skills in a friendly, supportive environment. It’s not just about learning to use a drill or put up a shelf; it’s about coming away thinking, ‘Actually, I can do this.’”
To find out more about Nail It DIY, visit the website.
 Two local charities nominated for King's Award
Two local charities are celebrating after being nominated for The King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest recognition a voluntary organisation can receive in the UK.
The Cowshed and SHARE Wokingham are among the organisations being considered for the prestigious award, with successful recipients due to be announced on 14 November.
Sally Russell, CEO and founder of The Cowshed, said: “Being nominated is an incredible honour for The Cowshed and a wonderful recognition of the dedication, compassion and commitment of our amazing volunteers.”
Claire Revie, founder of SHARE, said she was 'thrilled' by the nomination.
"They say it takes a village to raise a child. SHARE can testify that it takes more than good intentions to care for a community; it takes a small army of willing people. So, for them to be recognised for the work they all do would be an incredible achievement, but one which is richly deserved."
The Cowshed provides practical support to individuals and families facing hardship, while SHARE Wokingham supports local people by redistributing furniture, electrical items and household goods.
 Helping find a future for Twyford day centre
We know many people are concerned about the planned closure of Twyford day centre.
To help keep services running in the future, we are inviting organisations to tell us if they would be interested in taking over and running community services for older people from the Polehampton Close site in Twyford.
This is called an 'expression of interest'. It is simply a way for organisations to let us know they would like to be considered. The deadline to come forward is 4 October.
Any organisation that would like more information should email procurement@wokingham.gov.uk with 'Twyford Age Concern EOI' in the subject line.
This follows Twyford & District Age Concern's announcement last month that it plans to close the day centre because of financial pressures.
While the council did not fund the day-to-day running of the centre or make the decision to close it, we know how important the service is to local people. We want to help find another organisation that may be able to continue providing support from the site.
Shinfield residents are invited to a free community event at High Copse Pavilion on Saturday 19 September, from 11am to 2pm. Bringing Shinfield Together will feature activities, music, food, local community groups and opportunities to share ideas about the future of the area. Whether you're new to Shinfield or have lived here for years, it's a chance to make connections and find out what's happening locally. Find out more and register your place.
 Volunteer recruitment fair returns to Wokingham
Looking to volunteer locally, but not sure where to start? Perhaps the children have just left for school or university, retirement is on the horizon, or it's simply time to try something new, meet new people and have fun. Volunteering is a fantastic way to give something back while gaining new skills, confidence and connections in return.
The Wokingham Volunteer Centre is holding its next Volunteer Recruitment Fair on Saturday 10 October from 10am to 1pm at Wokingham Town Hall. A variety of organisations will be attending, offering a wide range of volunteering opportunities, with something to suit all interests and experience levels.
Attendees include; ABC to Read, The Link Visiting Scheme, Homestart Wokingham, Citizens Advice Wokingham, First Days Children's Charity and Wokingham Repair Cafe. A full list of organisations in attendance can be found here.
The event is free and there is no need to book. Residents can drop in, chat informally with local charities and community groups, and find out how they can get involved.
For more information about the fair or volunteering opportunities in general, contact Wokingham Volunteer Centre on 0118 977 0749 or email volunteer@wok-vol.org.uk.
A new Covid Memorial Woodland near California Country Park has opened as a place for remembrance, reflection and nature. Created through a community effort involving residents, volunteers, schools and local organisations, the woodland features more than 6,700 trees and will continue to grow for future generations. Read more.
 Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr Rob Comber (left) and Deputy Mayor Cllr De Jong (right)
Nominations open for Mayor's Honour Awards
Do you know someone who has made a difference in Wokingham Borough?
Nominations are now open for the Mayor's Honour Awards 2027, which celebrate adults, young people and community groups who have gone above and beyond to help others in our communities.
Mayor of Wokingham Borough, Cllr Rob Comber, is encouraging residents to nominate local people whose dedication, kindness or community spirit deserves recognition. No deed is too small, and even everyday actions can make a real difference.
To make a nomination, you'll need to provide some details about yourself and the person or group you're putting forward, along with an explanation of why they should be considered for an award.
Nominations close on 31 December. Award recipients will be chosen by the Mayor and honoured at a ceremony in spring 2027.
 Wokingham Borough to Westminster: residents drive national bus pass change
Residents from Wokingham Borough who campaigned for more accessible bus travel are celebrating after the Government announced plans to introduce free all-day bus travel for disabled pass holders across England from April 2027.
The change follows years of campaigning by disabled residents, charities and local authorities, including members of Wokingham Borough's Social Care Future (SCF) Core Group.
After residents highlighted the barriers created by weekday time restrictions on disabled bus passes, we removed those restrictions locally in December 2024.
The borough's experience was later shared at a parliamentary event in Westminster, where residents and council representatives explained how unrestricted bus travel was helping people access work, education, healthcare and social opportunities more easily.
Since restrictions were lifted, average monthly applications for disabled and disabled-plus-companion bus passes have increased by 21 per cent compared with 2024.
A separate analysis also showed a 16 per cent increase in trips between October 2024 and October 2025.
The announcement is a powerful example of Social Care Future in action. What started as local conversations about everyday barriers is part of a much bigger picture of change.
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