A WOKINGHAM group marked 10 years of bringing businesses and communities together in the town.
Wokingham Positive Difference (WPD) marked a successful decade of business and community collaboration at its June breakfast event.
More than 50 business and community leaders gathered at Wokingham Town Hall to celebrate the organisation’s 10th anniversary, and its success in building connections across the borough.
The celebration featured exhibition stands from member organisations, with interviews hosted by Wokingham Today reporter Emma Merchant.
Congratulatory messages were relayed by video from Wokingham MP Clive Jones, and in person from Wokingham Borough Council Leader Cllr Stephen Conway.
Both the MP and the council leader recognised WPD’s contribution to the local community.
Founded in June 2016, it has grown from a small networking initiative into a collaborative forum bringing together businesses, charities, local government and education.
Over the past 10 years, more than 500 people representing over 300 organisations have attended its monthly meetings, creating partnerships and supporting projects that have benefited the borough.
Opening the event, founder Graeme Hobbs reflected on the organisation’s original vision.
“Our aim was very simple: bring the right people into the room, give them time to build trust, and allow good things to happen,” he said.
That principle has remained at the heart of the organisation, with members supporting one another while contributing to a range of community initiatives, including the Wokingham Community Awards, Challenge for Change, Rams Rugby, the Communities Vision Strategy and numerous local charities and voluntary organisations.
Looking ahead, Wokingham Positive Difference announced plans to strengthen member involvement through new volunteer-led groups, helping to shape the organisation’s next chapter.
Closing the event, Graeme Hobbs, thanked the volunteers, partners and supporters whose commitment has helped the networking organisation grow over the past decade, saying their efforts had made every monthly event possible.
The anniversary celebration reflected Wokingham Positive Difference’s continuing belief that when businesses, community organisations and public bodies work together, stronger connections are made and the whole of Wokingham benefits.
WPD breakfast events provide a monthly networking forum for business, charity, and local government leaders to meet, share insights and do business.
People from all sectors exchange expertise and knowledge, discuss and debate hot topics, and signpost support and guidance among the community.
For information, and to sign up for an event, visit: wokinghampositivedifference.co.uk
