Wokingham Borough Community Navigator Service : Involve Community Services

07/08/2026

🚶‍♀️👟 Take on the Wokingham Walk 2026! 👟🚶‍♂️

Looking for a challenge, a reason to get outdoors, or an opportunity to support a cause close to your heart?

The Wokingham Walk organised by Wokingham Lions Club returns on Sunday 18th October 2026, offering scenic 5, 10 or 15-mile routes around Wokingham.

Whether you walk for fun, with family and friends, or raise money for your favourite charity, every step makes a difference.

📍 Start and finish at Elms Field, Wokingham Town Centre

Challenge yourself, enjoy the fresh air, and be part of a fantastic community event. Which distance will you choose? 💚

Full details here: https://wokinghamlions.org.uk/wokinghamwalk/

07/08/2026

🎳 Have you ever thought about trying Indoor Bowls?

Why not come along to one of Whiteknights Ibc (Indoor Bowls Club) FREE taster sessions and give it a go!

✅ Everyone welcome
✅ No experience needed
✅ Full coaching provided
✅ FREE membership for under 18s
✅ Limited spaces available – booking required

📅 Sunday 4th October from 9.30am
📅 Sunday 11th October from 10.00am

📍 Whiteknights Indoor Bowls Club, 21 Beech Lane, Earley, RG6 5PT

Please wear flat-soled shoes or trainers and comfortable clothing.

To book your place, call 0118 986 0759.

Come along, meet new people, learn a new skill and discover a fun, friendly sport for all ages! 🎉

03/08/2026

📢 Resident Receptions are back!

Need information or support but not sure where to start? You're not alone.

Finding the right advice at the right time can make all the difference, but knowing what's available isn't always easy. That's why Resident Receptions are back, making it simpler for local residents to access information and support in their community.

🤝 What are Resident Receptions?

These are friendly, informal drop-in sessions where you can chat face-to-face with staff from Wokingham Borough Council and Involve Community Services. Whether you have questions about health and wellbeing, housing, finances, community support, or you're looking for help for yourself, a family member or a friend, we're here to listen and point you in the right direction.

✅ No appointment needed
✅ Free to attend
✅ Just drop in and have a chat

📍 Upcoming Resident Receptions

🗓 Tuesday 4 August
📍 Shinfield British Garden Centre
🕙 10:00am – 1:00pm

🗓 Tuesday 11 August
📍 Winnersh British Garden Centre
🕜 1:30pm – 4:30pm

If you've been wondering where to turn for support, why not pop along? A friendly conversation could be the first step to finding the help you need.

Please share this post to help others in our community know that support is available. 💙

24/07/2026

⚠️ Please be vigilant – suspected scam targeting older people ⚠️

A local resident has shared this warning after witnessing what appeared to be a scam targeting an elderly lady in the Waitrose car park in Wokingham.

The resident noticed an older lady speaking to a woman and, after checking she was okay, was told she was about to donate to a "deaf charity." When the collector was asked to provide identification, she produced what appeared to be a poor-quality photocopy of a register containing names, signatures and postcodes of previous "donors."

The elderly lady had just picked up her purse and was about to hand over her bank card. There was no card machine present, raising concerns that she may have been asked to write down her card details.

When challenged, the collector quickly left the area.

The woman was described as:
🧢 Black baseball cap
🖤 Dark hair in a low ponytail
👕 White T-shirt
🩳 Black cycling shorts
😷 Face mask

The elderly lady explained she had been approached at the back of the car park by a woman pretending to be deaf and collecting for charity. However, she appeared to have no difficulty hearing when questioned.

Please keep an eye out for vulnerable people who may be approached in car parks or other public places. If something doesn't seem right, check they are okay and remind them never to share bank card details or make donations unless they are certain the collection is genuine.

Please share this warning to help protect others. 💙

09/07/2026

**🌟 We're Hiring! Community Navigator (Part-Time) 🌟**

Are you passionate about helping people, building community connections and making a real difference? We're looking for a **Community Navigator** to join our Wellbeing Team and support residents across **Wokingham Borough** to access the help they need to improve their health and wellbeing.

📍 Wokingham Community Hub
🕒 24 hours per week over 4 days (must include Fridays)
💷 £24,606 pro rata (£12.79 per hour)
📄 Permanent

As a Community Navigator, you'll:
💙 Support people to access local services, groups and organisations
📞 Manage referrals by phone, email and online
🤝 Work closely with local charities, health and community partners
🏡 Undertake occasional community visits
📊 Help monitor the impact of the service and promote it across the Borough

We're looking for someone who is:
✔ A great communicator with excellent administration skills
✔ Organised, proactive and able to work independently
✔ Confident using Microsoft Office
✔ Passionate about supporting people and strengthening communities
🚗 A full driving licence and access to your own transport are essential.

Experience in the voluntary, community or health and social care sector is desirable but not essential – we're looking for someone with transferable skills and a genuine commitment to helping others.

📧 To apply, please email your CV and a covering letter to Liz Penn, Wellbeing Services Manager at - [email protected]

📩 Contact us for a full job description or if you have any questions about the role.

Come and join a friendly, supportive team and help make a real difference in your local community.

19/06/2026

Did you know that Involve Community Services provides a wide range of affordable training opportunities for charities, community groups, volunteers, staff and local organisations?

📚 **Upcoming Online Training Courses – Just £30 per session!** 📚

Looking to develop new skills, support your team, or enhance your professional knowledge? We have spaces available on the following online workshops:

🧠 **Neurodiversity Awareness** – 30 June, 9.30am–12.30pm
Gain a better understanding of neurodiversity, different ways people think and learn, and how to create more inclusive environments.

💬 **Assertiveness** – 2 July, 9.30am–12.30pm
Build confidence, communicate effectively, and learn how to express your views clearly and professionally.

🤝 **Effective Support & Pastoral Supervision** – 7 July, 9.30am–12.30pm
Develop the skills to effectively support and supervise people in helping roles while maintaining healthy boundaries.

📈 **Performance Management** – 8 July, 9.30am–12.30pm
Learn practical techniques for managing performance, motivating teams, conducting appraisals and addressing workplace issues.

💙 **Exploring Compassion Fatigue** – 9 July, 9.30am–12.30pm
Understand the impact of caring roles, recognise early warning signs of compassion fatigue, and develop strategies to build resilience and wellbeing.

💻 Online | £30 per course | Spaces available

Book your place today https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/involve-training-workshops-107366685401

Involve Community Services is a small, local charity which supports the voluntary and community sector throughout Bracknell Forest, Wokingham Borough and the surrounding areas. We source and provide training courses in a number of different areas, covering topics such governance, funding, workplace....

07/05/2026

💜 Feeling isolated, overwhelmed, or unsure where to turn? You are not alone. 💜

Our friendly Community Navigation Team at involve is here to help residents across Wokingham Borough connect with local support, activities and services that can improve health and wellbeing.

Whether you’re looking for:
✨ Support with loneliness or low mood
✨ Social groups or activities
✨ Exercise or wellbeing opportunities
✨ Help for carers
✨ Volunteering opportunities
✨ Peer support or community connections
✨ Advice on local services and resources
…we’re here to listen and help you find what matters to you. 💚

The service is free, confidential and person-centred — there’s no pressure, just friendly support and guidance to help you take the next step.
📞 01344 304 404
📧 [email protected]
🌐 involve.community/community-navigation

Please don’t struggle alone — sometimes one conversation can make all the difference 💫

Community Navigation is a scheme in Wokingham that helps people to find community resources & support to improve their health & wellbeing

05/05/2026

⛑️ Be Ready When It Matters Most – Paediatric First Aid ⛑️

Join our essential full-day training designed to give you the skills and confidence to respond in an emergency involving children and infants.

📅 10th June
⏰ 9:30am – 4:30pm
📍 Onsite
💷 £65

💡 What you’ll gain:
• Confidence to act quickly in emergency situations
• Skills to respond to common childhood injuries and illnesses
• Knowledge of life-saving techniques, including CPR
• Practical, hands-on experience in a supportive environment

🌱 Ideal for parents, carers, childcare providers, and anyone working with children.

👉 Book your place – limited spaces available
🔗https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/paediatric-first-aid-onsite-training-tickets-1982345997241?aff=oddtdtcreator

Learn how to save lives with our hands-on First Aid Onsite Training - because you never know when you'll need it!

05/05/2026

⚠️ Stay Calm. Stay Confident. De-escalate Effectively. ⚠️

Join our practical training session:
✨ Conflict & De-escalation Management ✨

📅 9th June
⏰ 9:30am – 12:30pm
💻 Online
💷 £30

Build the skills you need to manage challenging situations with confidence.

💡 You’ll learn how to:
• Recognise early signs of conflict and escalation
• Use techniques to defuse tense situations safely
• Communicate clearly and confidently under pressure
• Protect yourself and others in difficult interactions

🌱 Ideal for anyone working with people in frontline or support roles.

👉 Book your place – spaces available
🔗 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/conflict-management-de-escalation-online-training-tickets-1984456393493?aff=oddtdtcreator

01/05/2026

💙 Su***de Awareness Training 💙

Join us for this important and informative session designed to build confidence in supporting others.

📅 2nd June
⏰ 9:30am – 12:30pm
💻 Online
💷 £30

This training will help you:
• Recognise the signs someone may be struggling
• Feel more confident in starting supportive conversations
• Understand how to respond appropriately and safely
• Know where to signpost for further support

🌱 A valuable session for anyone working with or supporting others.

👉 Book your place – spaces available
🔗https://www.eventbrite.com/e/suicide-awareness-online-training-tickets-1765785153929?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

***deAwareness

This session will help you gain a better understanding of mental health & suicidal thoughts.