A BUZZ of happy conversation filled Westende residents’ lounge on Tuesday.
Residents, staff and trustees of the Wokingham almshouse community gathered together to celebrate summer, and each other’s company, at their annual strawberry tea.
Strawberries, raspberries and blueberries with fresh cream, scones, sandwiches and cupcakes were all enjoyed, and glasses were raised.
Chair of Wokingham United Charities Board of Trustees, Jane Hartley, said: “It’s lovely to see everyone here – another wonderful occasion to meet the residents and get to know them better.
“This is part of what community is all about.
“This event is very much an extra to the essential of providing people with affordable accommodation.
“It’s the social side of Westende, and an opportunity for people to mix and enjoy each other’s company.”
Westende Almshouses, on London road, offers 27 self-contained flats for single or double occupancy, for older people in the borough otherwise unable to buy or rent in Wokingham.
They are run by Wokingham’s oldest charitable organisation, Wokingham United Charities (WUC), a grant-giving group that awards funding grants to a wide range of charities that support people living in poverty in the borough.
Members of WUC staff, Susanna Jennings, Michelle McCane-Whitney, Amy Garstang, and Lynda Rowe, who usually manage grants and the almshouses were, on this social occasion found to be fulfilling a different, but nonetheless important role, serving residents and trustees with fresh fruit, and keeping glasses filled.
For more about the almshouses and WUC’s work, visit: wokinghamunitedcharities.org.uk
