Other support services

SureStart Centres – Starlings Centre – 0118 908 8185 – www.ambleside.wokingham.sch.uk

Citizens Advice – 08082787958 – www.citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk

Community Care Information, Advice and Support – 01189263941 – www.communicare.org.uk  They can offer information on debt, housing, employment, divorce and separation, they offer a pro-bono legal clinic and benefits checking.  Sounds like it is a bit like Citizens Advice but more local.

Healthy Start is a national programme that provides financial support to eligible young families and pregnant women for fruit, veg, and milk, as well as providing free vitamins. The scheme has recently moved to digital, with families receiving a pre-paid chip and PIN Mastercard with money pre-loaded every 4 weeks. The scheme aims to help families who are most in need to buy healthy food and drink including fresh, frozen and tinned fruit and vegetables, fresh, dried and tinned pulses and infant formula milk. Families will also be able to access free Healthy Start vitamins.

Food bank in Wokingham – 07926524605 – www.wokingham.foodbank.org.uk

Gingerbread – 08088020925 – provide advice and practical support for single parents.  www.gingerbread.org.uk

Homestart – 01189888025 – Home – Home-Start Wokingham District (home-startwd.org.uk) Provide support for families with children under the age of five years who are experiencing stress.

First Days (Children’s Charity) – 01189219338.  To speak directly to the Referrals team 07733062597  – www.firstdays.net

ARC Counselling Service – 01189776710 – phonelines are unmanned best to complete form on website – www.arcweb.org.uk