A CHARITY that provides emergency grants to borough residents has now given out more than £100,000.
Wokingham United Charities, the oldest fund giver in the borough, has been offering the special assistance since April 1, and this week passed the milestone.
The charity says it has seen a 400% increase in the number of requests for emergency grants since the coronavirus pandemic hit.
The majority of the referrals have come from the One Front Door initiative organised by Wokingham charities including Citizens Advice in conjunction with Wokingham Borough Council.
Tracey Hedgecox, operations manager for Wokingham United Charities, said: “We have always given individual grants to help those in need but have seen a 400% increase in the number of requests during Covid-19.
“We have funded a bed for a terminally ill person, cookers, microwaves, fridges, washing machines, Chromebooks to help children with their homeschooling and even a lawnmower.”
She added: “We have also been offering small emergency grants to Wokingham charities who are still operating and are struggling with a loss of income and/or increase in demand for their services.
“These range from craft packs for children given out by The Cowshed, Wokingham Foodbank, Sue Ryder hospice care and laptops for Clasp so that more people with learning disabilities can take part in their online Zoom sessions.”
The charity’s grants are usually made in conjunction with housing and social services at Wokingham Borough Council and similar organisations.
It also runs the Wokingham almshouses at Westende in Wokingham town centre.
“We receive referrals from Citizens Advice all the time, and we have been offering a maximum of £500 in grants to the individuals involved.”
Covid-19 has created a unique set of challenges for Wokingham United Charities.
“It has completely changed the way in which we work,” Ms Hedgecox said. “It’s not great working from home, but we can help people within 24 hours. When people have no way of cooking or storing food, it’s quite crucial.
“From the feedback we’ve received from people, we know it has made a difference.
“If any charity is still operating in some form, they can contact us to apply for an emergency grant. Ping us an email and we will consider it.”
For more details, log on to wokinghamunitedcharities.org.uk.
