SIX CHARITIES across Wokingham borough have received a share of a £40,000 fund set up by the council to help with the cost-of-living crisis.
Earlier this year, residents were invited to make donations to a winter support fund. Between January and March, £70,000 was raised, with the sum supported by Wokingham United Charities, Berkshire Community Foundation and Wokingham Borough Council.
A panel comprising the three groups then considered the grant applications, awarding £10,000 to The Cowshed, Home Start Wokingham, and the Salvation Army Wokingham. Grants of £5,000 were given to First Days Children’s Charity, and SHARE Wokingham, while a further £3,000 was given to Hare Hatch-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre Yeldall Manor.
Cllr Rachel Bishop-Firth, executive member for equalities, inclusion and fighting poverty, thanked residents for their support.
“Match funding from Wokingham United Charities and the council has helped make the most of the donations to have the biggest impact impossible,” she said.
“These grants mean hundreds and hundreds of families will be able to get extra help to put them in a good position ahead of next winter.”
Amy Garstang, manager at Wokingham United Charities, said: “This funding will see the charities all continue to help those most in need in our borough in the months ahead.”
Jon Yates, chief executive officer at Berkshire Community Foundation, said: “We know households across the county continue to see massive impacts due to the cost of living crisis, initiatives like these make sure no one gets left behind because of them.”
In a statement on social media, Wokingham Salvation Army expressed their gratitude for their grant.
“We feel very humbled and thankful to have been awarded £10,000 by Wokingham Borough Council.
“The grant will go towards our ongoing outreach to those who are experiencing homelessness and a new initiative to provide support to anyone who needs help accessing online services, including one-to-one basic training in computer literacy for those with limited knowledge, such as setting up and using emails, form filling and access to benefits.
“It’s wonderful to see so many of the charities and groups we work with also benefitting, the awards will greatly help our community in these difficult times.”
A new funding round will open in the autumn, with just under £30,000 available for community groups to help residents.
For more details, log on to: https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/cost-of-living/
