Wokingham

Wokingham District Council’s chairman Cllr Iain Brown will meet some very special children and young people next week (Monday April 24) when he presents them with certificates for their creativity and work on some of the Wokingham Children’s Fund projects.

Wokingham Children's Fund is a government-funded project to help improve the lives of children and young people aged five to 13 years old across the Wokingham district. The money it receives goes towards providing new services and this is done substantially through voluntary sector organisations. The fund is managed locally by the Wokingham Children’s Fund Partnership Board, which is made up of representatives from statutory organisations including Wokingham District Council and voluntary, faith and community groups.

Areas of work are quite broad with some services being provided for the whole of the district whilst others are specific to wards within the district. Young people and their families have been benefiting from new initiatives such as kids clubs, homework clubs, safety issues and substance misuse education projects and teenage peer mentoring training.

Other services provided are:

* Assist – a district-wide outreach and support project for children with autism.

* Woodley Lookout / Family Link – support project for parents and children and offers a range of activities such as single parent group, craft club, money management scheme and a popular Family Fun Day.

* Effective Parenting Project – parenting projects and workshops take place around the district to support anyone looking after children. The aim is help parents, children and teenagers to be happier at home. Advice is offered on behaviour, arguments and other family issues.

* Rainbow Park Project – a community worker is based at Rainbow Park in Winnersh and offers a wide range of activities such as an out of school club, a breakfast club with walking bus to school, and youth clubs and groups. An activity club, known as POG Club, has also been set up for children aged between five and 13 years old.

* JAC (Just Around The Corner) – an outreach youth project based in Woodley offering children and young people support, workshops, residential outings and family days out and father and son outward-bounding games.

* The Base – based at Bulmershe School, this project is for youngsters aged from 10 to 13 years who persistently refuse to attend school. The project offers individual help to children across the district who would otherwise be out of school.

Information stands will be on show on Monday (April 24) to inform more people about the work of the Children’s Fund and in particular some of the projects named above. The programme in Wokingham started in April 2003 and is currently funded until the end of March 2008.

Wokingham District Council’s chairman Cllr Iain Brown said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to attend this special event next week to learn much more about some of the projects which the Children’s Fund has been involved with. This is an important initiative for children and young people within the Wokingham district. Over the past two years it has made a real difference to local people’s lives and I wish them continued success over the coming year.

“I am looking forward to meeting children and young people next week to present them with certificates for their hard work and dedication.”

Wokingham Children’s Fund programme manager Milica Sekulic said: “We have consulted with children, young people and their parents and carers about what we services we should spend the Children’s Fund on. The money from the fund helps children in lots of different ways.

“Next week will be an opportunity for the children from various Children’s Fund projects across the district to exhibit their work. It promises to be an exciting event with lots to see.”

Wokingham District Council