• Support Wokingham Today
  • Get the print edition
  • Sign up for our daily newsletter
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Wokingham.Today
  • HOME
  • MY AREA
    • All
    • Arborfield
    • Barkham
    • Beech Hill
    • Binfield
    • Bracknell
    • Charvil
    • Crowthorne
    • Earley
    • Emmbrook
    • Finchampstead
    • Grazeley
    • Henley
    • Hurst
    • Lower Earley
    • Norreys
    • Reading
    • Remenham
    • Riseley
    • Shinfield
    • Sindlesham
    • Sonning
    • Spencers Wood
    • Swallowfield
    • Three Mile Cross
    • Twyford
    • Wargrave
    • Winnersh
    • Wokingham
    • Wokingham Without
    • Woodley
    • Woosehill
    • Yateley
    Wokingham Borough Council's Shute End offices Picture: Phil Creighton

    Council defends £4.53m temp staff spend

    Arborfield Green's new district centre. Pic: WBC.

    Update on Arborfield community facilities

    The Eco Skills Learning Centre at Pudding Lane was launched on Saturday. Pictures: Emma Merchant

    New Eco Skills Centre launches in Arborfield

    The property will become the company?s headquarters and training centre.

    Global leader moves in at Winnersh Triangle

    Interactive games hosted by Climate Fresk will offer a fun way to better understand climate change and biodiversity. Here Elizabeth Corse explains the games to visitors. Picture: Emma Merchant

    Love games and the planet?

    Twyford barn dance raises thousands for charity

    An afternoon of jazz and afternoon tea will raise funds for The Cowshed in July. Picture: Zeno Aras via Unsplash

    Uplifting July jazz afternoon promises to fizz in Waltham St Lawrence

    Clive Jones being sworn in as MP for Wokingham on Tuesday. Pic: BBC.

    MP: ‘Protect free school meals out of term time’

    Wokingham MP, Clive Jones. Pic: Andrew Batt.

    MP calls for more evening trains

  • SPORT
    • All
    • Binfield FC
    • Reading FC
    Noise and floodlighting would impact the location, it was argued. Pic: Andrew Batt.

    Earley sports pitch plans in the floodlight

    Berkshire Football awards.

    Football in Berkshire shortlist revealed

    Chem Campbell

    Reading FC miss out on transfer target to fellow League One club

    Mark Bowen

    Former head of football at Reading FC lands new job

    Peter Markwick

    It’s top of the championship for Wokingham racing driver

    1871 EVENTS PRESENTS: Jimmy Quinn

    Reading FC legend Jimmy Quinn to share his memories of title success and Wembley heartbreak

    Reading FC

    Reading FC to host Swindon Town and Oxford United in pre-season friendlies

    Reading FC fans

    Reading FC chairman Rob Couhig gives update on season ticket sales

    Golf Picture: Pixabay

    Unique Golf Club celebrates 50th anniversary with publication of a history book

  • READING FC
  • COMMUNITY
    Arborfield Green's new district centre. Pic: WBC.

    Update on Arborfield community facilities

    The Eco Skills Learning Centre at Pudding Lane was launched on Saturday. Pictures: Emma Merchant

    New Eco Skills Centre launches in Arborfield

    Interactive games hosted by Climate Fresk will offer a fun way to better understand climate change and biodiversity. Here Elizabeth Corse explains the games to visitors. Picture: Emma Merchant

    Love games and the planet?

    Twyford barn dance raises thousands for charity

    An afternoon of jazz and afternoon tea will raise funds for The Cowshed in July. Picture: Zeno Aras via Unsplash

    Uplifting July jazz afternoon promises to fizz in Waltham St Lawrence

    Clive Jones being sworn in as MP for Wokingham on Tuesday. Pic: BBC.

    MP: ‘Protect free school meals out of term time’

    MP Yuam Yang outside the takeaway.

    MP says sorry for social media post

    Noise and floodlighting would impact the location, it was argued. Pic: Andrew Batt.

    Earley sports pitch plans in the floodlight

    The restaurant promises to be a 'vibrant' location and social hub.

    Date set for new restaurant opening

  • LIFESTYLE
    • All
    • Food
    • Health
    • Obituaries
    • People
    The Eco Skills Learning Centre at Pudding Lane was launched on Saturday. Pictures: Emma Merchant

    New Eco Skills Centre launches in Arborfield

    Interactive games hosted by Climate Fresk will offer a fun way to better understand climate change and biodiversity. Here Elizabeth Corse explains the games to visitors. Picture: Emma Merchant

    Love games and the planet?

    MP Yuam Yang outside the takeaway.

    MP says sorry for social media post

    The restaurant promises to be a 'vibrant' location and social hub.

    Date set for new restaurant opening

    Party in the Park 2025. Pic by Stewart Turkington.

    Rain didn’t dampen party spirits as Elms Field hosts Wokingham’s Party in the Park

    Wokingham MP Clive Jones Picture: Andrew Batt

    MP to talk about his first year

    MICHAEL TATLOW DARLISON

    Jenni Donato.

    Wokingham businesswoman nominated for award

    Ascot Top Hats is based in Wokingham.

    Ten tips for a top day at Royal Ascot

  • WHAT’S ON
    • All
    • Arts
    • Entertainment
    1871 EVENTS PRESENTS: Jimmy Quinn

    Reading FC legend Jimmy Quinn to share his memories of title success and Wembley heartbreak

    RaW Sounds celebrates five years of championing local music

    Party in the Park on Saturday.

A balcony view.

    Get ready for Party in the Park

    Marvellous is a tribute act festival. Pic: WBC.

    A Marvellous tribute at Dinton

    Double Standards

    New play ‘Double Standards’ at South Streets Art Centre to explore hypocrisy in dating

    Wokingham Pride

    Could you help Wokingham Pride 2025?

    REVIEW: “Three Hens In A Boat” at The Watermill Theatre

    Siren RG1

    Siren RG1 to mark first anniversary with weekender celebration

    Wellington Farm Shop

    Wellington Farm Shop celebrates its 20th anniversary

  • JOBS
  • ADVERTISE
  • CONTACT
No Result
View All Result
Wokingham.Today
No Result
View All Result
Home Community

The Cowshed: How an odd thought turned into a charity that has helped thousands

by Emma Merchant
September 29, 2024
in Community, Featured, Wokingham
CEO and founder Sally Russell says The Cowshed is a house of miracles. Picture: Emma Merchant

CEO and founder Sally Russell says The Cowshed is a house of miracles. Picture: Emma Merchant

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

AT 2AM one May morning in 2018, Wokingham resident Sally Russell woke up with an odd thought that wouldn’t leave her.

Six years on, it has led to the creation of a growing charity that has changed the lives of thousands.

“That night I had a strong impression that I was being told to start something called The Cowshed,” said Sally, “So, that’s what I did.”

“I had no idea what it meant – I just had the name.

“I was really confused, so I shared it with friends.”

Sally, having worked in events management, retail, and grant writing, realised she had the experience and skills to set up a charity.

Related posts

You shall go to the ball: The Cowshed waves its magic wand

The Cowshed is a smooth operator, thanks to its hot new machine

She began to explore the idea of distributing pre-loved clothes to people that needed them, and was surprised to find this wasn’t already being done.

“Organisations and churches sometimes provide clothes, but often they need mending, or they’re not washed, or the wrong size” she explained.

Suddenly it became very obvious to her that there was a gap to fill.

She began providing good quality clean clothes and other basic items for people in crisis.

“I started with nothing but my faith, but The Cowshed has grown into something massive, which I never envisaged,” she said.

The charity’s logo, a roof and two walls, reflects its aims.

“This is a place of protection for all,” said Sally.

“I felt strongly that I was being told our doors needed to be open for anyone who needs us, without judgement.”

Inside The Cowshed, teams of volunteers ensure everything runs smoothly.

It’s a big operation, and needs a surprising number of hands.

“We have 300 volunteers,” said Sally, “Van drivers, people who sort, others who wash and iron, sewers, menders, and our referrals team, who talk with clients to find out what they need.”

The group’s sewing team alone has 80 members, who mend clothes, make cotton bags for referral packs, and create items from recycled fabrics to sell to raise funds for the charity.

Sally knows everyone’s name, and is greeted by choruses of cheerful hellos when Wokingham.Today takes a tour.

Inside, it’s calm, happy, and organised, and the volunteers look like they’re having fun as well as contributing to the community.

Retired nurse Tanula joined five years ago.

“I love being part of a team here,” she said.

“After giving up work, I would have missed that.

“I love the ethos here, too, giving people dignity, and taking the pressure off families.

“It gives me purpose, and keeps me active and involved.”

Volunteering has been a lifeline for some.

“A few people have told me they had nothing in their lives before joining us, but now they have a reason for living,” said Sally.

“That’s not what I set out to do, but The Cowshed has become an important community for many people.”

Every week the charity receives online referrals, requests for help to support individuals and families in crisis.

After a phone call to find out exactly what each client needs, a list of items is drawn up.

Volunteers then visit all the different departments to collect and pack these into a cotton bag ready for delivery.

If items are missing, the list is placed in a ‘pending’ area until it can be completed.

“Often we lack a very particular, or unusual item,” said Sally.

“But then, extraordinarily, someone will donate exactly the item we’re short of.

“It’s extraordinary, and it happens all the time.

“Things we need turn up again and again, without us asking for them.”

For example, size 13 football boots, or, as happened recently, a specific dress.

“A young girl was hoping to find a pink prom dress, but we didn’t have one in stock,” she continued.

“Literally the next day someone walked in with exactly the right coloured dress, in her size.

“She was over the moon.

“It’s so heartwarming and amazing, and it feels like The Cowshed is a house of miracles.”

In the charity’s donation centre, huge storage bins overflow with the latest deliveries of clothes, toys, books and essentials.

Clothes are washed in industrial machines, mended if necessary, and ironed, before being moved to appropriate racks and rails, sized and labelled.

Books, toys, and everything else is stored in appropriate departments, while anything that can’t be used is passed on to other charities.

“We send used bras to Against Breast Cancer, blankets go to dog rehoming charities,and scrap metal is recycled,” said Sally.

“And we’re plastic free – we recycle any that’s given to us, but we don’t buy it.

“All our referral packs are delivered in cotton bags made from rejected duvets and curtains.”

There are around 100 to 150 referrals each week, with requests such as: size 18 joggers, trainers, a bra, pillows, bedding, a child’s bedroom rug, and a Home At The Cowshed pack.

This is a starter box for families in temporary accommodation, and contains basic kitchenware.

The Cowshed has supported more than 30,000 people since 2018.

“Yes, it’s quite a big charity,” admits Sally, “And we’ve gathered a number of projects along the way.”

As well as its essential home packs, the charity provides school uniforms, prom dresses and suits, children’s books, packs for care leaver new mothers, and hospital bags for new mothers in crisis.

“We work with the Poppy Team at Royal Berkshire Hospital, helping women there who have nothing.

“They may be refugees, or staying in a hotel, and sometimes the hospital can’t let them go home until they have the basic necessities.

“Our packs contain everything they need.”

Beautifully wrapped, these packs offer not just essentials, but dignity and hope.

It costs around £700,000 to sustain the charity’s work, money which comes from grants and donations.

“We just can’t do what we do without support,” said Sally.

We have such a phenomenal community, and people here are awesome.”

But even a growing charity like The Cowshed exists on a wing and a prayer.

“Last November I was really worried because we actually had no money,” said Sally.

“I prayed hard, along with my friends – and within two weeks we had £180,000 in the bank.

“We call it The Cowshed Magic.

“I had no idea it was coming, and the ways it arrived were bizarre.

“For example, the Postcode Lottery rang that week to say, ‘we’re glad you answered the phone because we want to give you £50,000’.

“This really is a house of miracles.”

Regular crafting groups, selling handmade bags and accessories, Little Black Dress evening wear sales, and hire of prom dresses and suits all help to support the work.

“We regularly hold evening wear sales for local shoppers,” said Sally.

“Our clients don’t often need sparkly evening wear, so we keep these items back to sell at reasonable prices.”

Prom dress hire began four years ago after the charity heard about a family who couldn’t pay the mortgage and lost their home after trying to give their daughter the same prom experience as her friends.

“Anyone can hire a dress or suit from us for £50, and it’s free for referrals, with shoes, make-up, and a handbag they can keep,” Sally said.

“We had more than 200 prom appointments this year.”

A similar suit room for boys provides a smart look for men, perhaps on probation, needing to look smart for job interviews, or to attend a funeral.

Along the corridor, a bra fitting room enables clients to choose three items, including maternity and feeding bras, while another is filled with school uniforms.

“We get very busy each academic year,” said Sally.

“A lot of borough schools require branded uniforms, which can be expensive.

“We buy these in for clients who need them, and this year that alone cost us £18,000.”

The building is an Aladin’s cave of neatly stacked and ordered rooms, containing all the shoes, toiletries, baby equipment, clothes, and equipment necessary for the charity’s work.

Leased on a temporary basis from Wokingham Borough Council, it’s light, roomy, and suits their needs well.

Nevertheless the charity’s single biggest priority is to find a permanent home.

“This is a fabulous building,” said Sally,”but we could be moved on at any time with just three months’ notice.

“It does make me nervous, because moving is very complicated and very costly.”

With December just around the corner, teams of volunteers are currently preparing to share the joy, and perhaps some of the charity’s Cowshed Magic on Christmas Day, when 3,000 gifts will be distributed to disadvantaged youngsters in the borough.

“There’s always lots going on here, and it can be quite exhausting,” said Sally.

“But I know there’s a plan, and I’m honored to play a part in it.”

To find out more, to support the charity, or to volunteer, visit: www.thecowshed.org

Keep up to date by signing up for our daily newsletter

We don’t spam we only send our newsletter to people who have requested it.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Tags: the cowshed
Previous Post

Stoptober returns for 13th year helping smokers to quit

Next Post

Reading FC player ratings: Royals fight back to claim home win

FOLLOW US

POPULAR THIS WEEK

The Eco Skills Learning Centre at Pudding Lane was launched on Saturday. Pictures: Emma Merchant

New Eco Skills Centre launches in Arborfield

June 12, 2025
Liberal Democrats celebrating after the declaration earlier this morning. Pic: Andrew Batt.

Clean sweep for Lib Dems

June 6, 2025
Clive Jones being sworn in as MP for Wokingham on Tuesday. Pic: BBC.

MP: ‘Protect free school meals out of term time’

June 11, 2025
Berkshire Football awards.

Football in Berkshire shortlist revealed

June 11, 2025
Party in the Park 2025. Pic by Stewart Turkington.

Rain didn’t dampen party spirits as Elms Field hosts Wokingham’s Party in the Park

June 11, 2025
Longshot Lane in Bracknell. Pic: Google.

More fines for heavy vehicles

June 11, 2025

ABOUT US

Wokingham Today is dedicated to providing news online across the whole of the Borough of Wokingham. It is a Social Enterprise, existing to support the various communities in Wokingham Borough.

Wokingham.Today is a Social Enterprise and aims to ensure that everyone within the Borough has free access to independent and up-to-date news. However, providing this service is not without costs. If you are able to, please make a contribution to support our work.

CONTACT US

[email protected]

Keep up to date with our daily newsletter

We don’t spam we only send our newsletter to people that have subscribed

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

  • Support Us
  • Book Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Get the Print Edition
  • Sign up for our daily newsletter

The Wokingham Paper Ltd publications are regulated by IPSO – the Independent Press Standards Organisation.
If you have a complaint about a  The Wokingham Paper Ltd  publication in print or online, you should, in the first instance, contact the publication concerned, email: [email protected], or telephone: 0118 327 2662. If it is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should contact IPSO by telephone: 0300 123 2220, or visit its website: www.ipso.co.uk. Members of the public are welcome to contact IPSO at any time if they are not sure how to proceed, or need advice on how to frame a complaint.

No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • MY AREA
    • Arborfield
    • Barkham
    • Beech Hill
    • Binfield
    • Bracknell
    • Charvil
    • Crowthorne
    • Earley
    • Emmbrook
    • Finchampstead
    • Grazeley
    • Henley
    • Hurst
    • Lower Earley
    • Norreys
    • Reading
    • Remenham
  • COMMUNITY
  • LIFESTYLE
  • SPORT
  • READING FC
  • OBITUARIES
  • WHAT’S ON
  • JOBS
  • PHOTOS
  • ADVERTISE WITH US
  • CONTACT US
  • WHERE TO GET THE PRINT EDITION
  • SUPPORT US

© 2022 - The Wokingham Paper Ltd - All Right Reserved.