A Volunteer Recruitment Fair took place at Wokingham Town Hall on Saturday 28th January 2023. Local people with some spare time came along and chatted to the charities and organisations to see if they could find a role that works for them. We filmed live and list some the organisations in Wokingham Borough that could use your help.
Photos taken on the day by Paul King
[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”57″ gal_title=”Wokingham Volunteer Recruitment Day Jan 2023″]
Organisations that are looking for volunteers included the following charities :
ABC to Read
ABC to read was set up in 2004 to support children who are struggling to read by finding, training and supporting volunteers to work with them in primary schools across Berkshire. We help hundreds of children each year to enjoy reading and gain an essential skill for life.
- You can find more information about:
Who we are
What we do
Why we do it
What the children and schools say about the difference we make to their lives
See website ABC to read
Cianna’s Smile
Cianna’s Smile was founded by the charity chair person Hayley King and was registered as a charity in May 2017. After Hayley’s daughter Cianna (who has Sickle Cell Anaemia) experienced a traumatic admission at their local hospital, Hayley felt that there was a lack of awareness of the condition in the medical profession and no support locally for families affected by it. The goals include:
- Organise events to increase awareness and raise funds
- Increase the provision and widen access to online resources for people globally
- Increase the public’s understanding and awareness of Sickle Cell through online interaction
- Grow our income through the development of new corporate partnerships
- Increase our ability to deliver events and projects by growing our volunteer support
- Expand our reach and organisation response to a wider geographical area including London, Hampshire and the Midlands.
More at website Ciannassmile.co.uk
SAFE – Saving Abandoned Fly-Grazing Equines
SAFE began after managing to save and subsequently re-home twenty two abandoned fly-grazed horses in Binfield (Berkshire) in the Winter of 2014. Sadly, another sixteen horses died before they could be saved.
What they do
- Assist members of the public attempting to legally rescue an abandoned horse or pony.
- Assist in locating Land Owners.
- Advise Land Owners on their rights re: Control of Horses Act 2015 and serving ‘Abandonment Notices’.
- Share our experiences and knowledge on this subject.
- Physically assist with the legal removal of an abandoned horse or pony once notice served in the Berkshire & Surrey area.
- Assist in finding temporary care for legally rescued horses and ponies.
- Take in legally rescued horses and ponies for rehabilitation when space and support allows.
See website SAFE-HORSE.co.uk
Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue
Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue is a registered charitable lowland search and rescue team based in Berkshire, United Kingdom and provides support functions to Thames Valley Police and the emergency planning departments of various local authorities in Berkshire. In common with most UK SAR teams, BLSARs members are all unpaid volunteers. BLSAR was formally called SEBEV, the original meaning of SEBEV was South East Berkshire Emergency
Wokingham Link Visiting Scheme
An award-winning charity dedicated to reducing loneliness through one-to-one and group befriending, activities and community projects.
For almost 25 years, the Link Visiting Scheme has brought vital, life-enhancing social connections to older people and volunteers. They have seen thousands of lives transformed with friendship and community, and we love what we do! Loneliness is seen by many as one of the largest health concerns we face. It’s painful. It’s harmful to our bodies. It puts us at a greater risk of developing dementia, heart disease and depression. It’s so serious that it even shortens our life expectancy. And it’s on the rise in our area.
More at Linkvisiting.org
First Days Children’s Charity
The charity offer peer support and one to one coaching to parents, whilst providing everyday essentials for children who need them. They distribute school uniforms, new baby essentials, beds and bedding, travel equipment, toiletries, safety items, furniture, toys and books and much more.The current cost of living crisis, coupled with the long term effects of the pandemic has resulted in a huge increase in the demand for our services
see website FirstDays.net
Wade day care
WADE is a local charity offering support to anyone over sixty in Wokingham and the surrounding areas.
They provide a warm and friendly environment for our members to mix and socialise. Some simply come along for lunch and a change of scene from their own home and the opportunity to see friends. Others have the early stages of dementia, and a day out in safe, caring and stimulating surroundings allows their caregivers some much-needed respite. Through the charity, we are able to offer subsidised day care.
see website Wadecentre.org
It was also good to see the local Scouts and Girl Guides groups in attendance seeking more volunteers to help progress their groups
Live from the recruitment fair
Looking to learn more about Volunteering?
The Wokingham Volunteer Centre holds details of many volunteering opportunities through-out the Borough with a wide range of local organisations that support our local community. Click the link above to find the ideal role for you!
#volunteering #wokingham #givesomethingback #mywokingham
Words by Nick Marr, Photos by Paul King
