A SPECIAL BUILDING home to 10 charities across the borough has officially opened.
On Friday, January 28, Wokingham borough mayor Cllr Keith Baker cut the ribbon to the Wokingham Charity and Community Hub.
Based in Waterford House, at Erfstadt Court, the facility spans almost 6,000ft and is the new home for community-based organisations.
It is open for drop-ins for the public to seek advice, help and support, and appointments can also be pre-booked.
Cllr Baker said: “It’s a pleasure to have opened this fantastic facility which will undoubtedly help hundreds of people from our area in the years ahead.
“Our charities and voluntary organisations make a huge difference to our communities and our residents, having them all together under roof is a moment to celebrate. It was a joy to see the new hub and how it’s already making a difference to our residents.”
Last year, the borough council agreed to give more than £2 million to the voluntary sector through grants and contracts.
The aim is to build partnership working, as part of the council’s priorities over the next three years.
It brings several organisations under one roof and it will provide high-quality information, advice and support to enable people to access the right services to meet their individual needs and circumstances at the right time.
Waterford House has been reconfigured to create office, breakout and meeting room space for all of the organisations moving into the building. This has included new carpets, ceilings and fittings and improved ventilation to some rooms, in light of the pandemic.
Cllr Charles Margetts, executive member for health, wellbeing and adult services at the council, said: “Working alongside the voluntary sector in our borough is a clear priority for us, as we know it produces better outcomes for those who live in our area.
“This coordinated approach by the council with our voluntary community sector partners means those who need help can get it promptly from one place.
“Bringing these brilliant organisations under one roof is built on partnership working over the last few years during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
The building is now home to Involve, which is managing the hub, Cranstoun Wokingham, Home Start Wokingham District, Health Watch Wokingham Borough, The Link Visiting Scheme, Mind in Berkshire, CLASP, Promise Inclusion, Wokingham Volunteer Centre and Wokingham Foodbank.
It is already home to Citizen’s Advice Wokingham.
Jake Morrison, chief executive of Citizen’s Advice Wokingham said that he is pleased the building has been developed into a hub.
“Citizens Advice have been here a number of years now, with our partner organisations working just downstairs, this will help bring many of our services for our community together,” he said.
Waterford House is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Appointments can be booked by calling 0118 228 0480 or emailing reception@vcshub.co.uk
