Wokingham In Need is winning with the help of the local community

BY SUE JACKSON

Wokingham is considered an affluent area but it is not immune to difficulties caused by financial, medical or mental health problems. There is a wealth of vulnerable people, young and old falling on hard times in our local area. They are in need as they are often not supported or able to follow regular channels resulting in homelessness and hardship. Identifying the need is where the seed was sown for what is not just a charity but a catalyst in uniting the local community.

The beginning was inspired by wanting to help the home less and a built-in-show er,kitchen and breakfast bar were funded and put in to the Salvation Army - Sturges Road which is a reactive premises providing assistance to the homeless. Moving on WIN raised monies for a drop-in-centre and obtained planning per mission and the Wokingham drop-in-centre became a reality and is used every day by volunteers and groups in Wokingham to help those in need. WIN continues to support the Salvation Army and the Centre and has just completed another refurbishment of the kitchen and shower room.

WIN also have a group of ladies called the Creative Nightingales who sew bags, theatre gowns, eye masks and more for general and terminally ill patients at the RBH. The comfort bags are filled with toiletries. In addition assistance is given with requirements for the Dementia and Children’s Wards. Recently WIN have also embarked on two new projects with the hospital a Junior Ambassadors Project where 16 children were chosen to learn how the hospital works and another Project for the ICU where noise cancelling headphones were purchased and donated to help in a pilot scheme whereby specific music is played to patients to assist in their recovery and help cut out the general noises that are inevitable in an ICU.

WIN also supports adults with learning disabilities and has raised funds for a wonderful Sensory Garden at the Acorn Centre over £34K was raised to make a place where clients can enjoy the outdoors. Moving on WIN is about to start another project at Wokingham Hospital for a Sensory Garden for patients and staff. Another project is a Talent Show for Clasp members taking place at The Whitty Theatre which proved so popular tickets were all sold. Clasp came to WIN for assistance in putting this event on following an online talent show during the pandemic. CLASP wanted to do a live Talent Show in front of an audience so that is just what WIN said they would do. It is an absolute pleasure to work with such a wonderful group of people.

Caring is what it is all about. WIN also provide Mental Health Workshops for children and work together with Circus Scene to provide workshops to allow children to feel special, talented, brave and able. In addition, working with DrugFAM WIN organises workshops for secondary schools addressing drug and alcohol misuse.

WIN also put Mental Health Wellbeing and Dementia Workshops into local care homes and are venturing in to assisting the younger children who have suffered due to the pandemic.

Friendship Cafes are also supported by WIN.

It is not only local causes that WIN get involved with, the charity is now looking to Wokingham and Beyond and are currently in discussion with groups to assists Ukrainian Refugees and projects they are trying to move forward with. This is in addition to a donation previously given to Wokingham Borough Council for Ukraine.

So much to do. The WIN team (all volunteers) are helping with so many projects and causes in the local area it is impossible to mention them all in detail but rest assured WIN will continue to assist anyone who is vulnerable and in need.

Why not get involved? From volunteer to simply joining in events contact us via website or social media. Financial help is always welcome via our donate button on Website/Facebook – cheques also welcome these can be dropped off at Prospect Estate Agents in Wokingham.

Look forward to hearing from you. WOKINGHAM IN NEED – STRIVING TO HELP YOUR COMMUNITY