WOKINGHAM United Charities exists to tackle poverty in the borough.
The organisation has been giving sizeable grants to help people in need, since 2021.
Due to increased need, over the past financial year it has more than fully used up its Essential Items Grant.
WUC charity manager Amy Garstang shared why that is and what it says about the borough.
“People may not realise the level of poverty in Wokingham,” Amy said.
“I remember speaking to someone who said: ‘I live here, and there isn’t any poverty.’
“But there is, and we see it.”
Before 2021, the organisation, Wokingham’s oldest charity, focused on managing its Westende Almshouses.
It had just three or four thousand pounds a year to give away, until a land sale released new funding opportunities.
“It catapulted what we were able to do.” said Amy.
“Instead of a few thousand pounds, we can now give away more than £200,000 each year.”
A range of grants pays for essential items, school trips and extracurricular opportunities for young people, food, and fuel.
The organisation also supports other charities working to break the cycle of poverty.
“At first we were mainly responding to the pandemic – fire fighting and helping people deal with crises,” she explained.
“It’s not so much the case now but there’s still a lot of need, and we still see people in very difficult circumstances.”
Essential Items Grants often pay for white goods, for example when a cooker breaks, or a family moves into unfurnished emergency accommodation.
But some requests are more unusual.
“We paid for a car clutch repair recently for someone with limited mobility,” Amy said.
“Each person’s situation – and what they need – is different.”
One young person supported by Wokingham Salvation Army needed transport.
“We paid for a three month travelcard to help the lad commute to work,” she explained.
“Then he bought a bicycle and he now cycles to work.”
Another family with college-age children needed support for their son.
“He had a place on a Princes Trust course, but the family had absolutely nothing,” she continued.
“Because they couldn’t afford his travel we paid for him to attend the course.
“Recently they let us know he’s doing really well and has started a new job.
“It’s so rewarding to be able to support people when they need help, and then to see them moving forward, able to help themselves.”
Regarding the Essential Items Grant being fully used last year, Amy said: “Hopefully this means we’re reaching the right people, that they’re coming to us when they need help, and that we’re breaking down some of the challenges to accessing support.
“It also shows how much more expensive things are, and suggests people are struggling to cope with higher costs.
“Five years ago you could buy and install a fridge freezer and a washing machine for around £500.
“Now you’re hard pushed to get these for less than £1,000.”
The charity is seeing the emergence of a new group of people needing their help for the first time.
“We’re seeing two income families who are just about managing – until there’s an emergency,” she explained.
“They’re OK as long as there aren’t any surprises, like the cooker breaking or the car failing.
“Without financial backup unplanned expenses can tip families over the edge, affecting their health, their well-being – and their children.
“This is why we pay for school trips and after school activities through our Bright Futures Fund.”
WUC works in close collaboration with Citizens Advice Wokingham to help people change their circumstances and make a fresh start.
“But change can take a long time, and people need ongoing support,” Amy said.
“I’m not sure we’re fully there yet as a borough, but a lot of the charities are working on it.”
Wokingham United Charities’ Essential Items Grant, like all its grants, can be applied for online.
For information, visit: wokinghamunitedcharities.org.uk
