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Our 'Here to Help' campaign highlights support available with rising cost of living

As part of our response to the rising cost of living, we, along with our community partners, are highlighting local and national support which can help those in need to build their personal financial resilience and hopefully avoid the need for crisis support.

As part of our campaign, ‘Here to Help’, we have brought together support from us and our partners onto one dedicated webpage and are encouraging those struggling financially to visit it.

Our campaign covers a wide range of the support that can help those struggling to cope with the rising cost of living, including:

  • Energy
  • Council Tax
  • Childcare
  • Housing
  • Universal and partner support

Councillor Andrew Johnson, leader of the council, said: “We want to make it clear that residents should not delay getting in contact – if you are struggling then please visit the dedicated webpage to see what might be available to you, reach out to us, or our key partners, before you reach the point of crisis.”

‘Here to Help’ is run with the support of key partners including social landlords Abri and Housing Solutions, and Voluntary and Community Sector partners, Foodshare Maidenhead, Windsor Foodshare, Driven Forward, The Baby Bank, The Spoore, Merry and Rixman Foundation, and Citizens’ Advice. 

More information is available in our press release and on our dedicated webpage. #HereToHelpRBWM
New renewable energy initiative to help residents cut carbon emissions and save on bills

A new initiative now available in the Royal Borough will help residents generate their own renewable energy, cut their carbon footprint and save money on their energy bills.
 
Solar Together is a group purchasing scheme for solar panels, helping incentivise renewable energy uptake among borough residents. Launched this week, it will give them confidence when installing solar panels that they are paying a competitive price for a high-quality installation from pre-approved installers.
 
You can now register to join the group-buying scheme offering solar panels with optional battery storage and electric vehicle charging points. It also offers retrofit battery storage for residents who have already invested in solar panels and are looking to get more from the renewable energy they generate, as well as increase their independence from the grid.

Find out more in our press release.
Queen's Baton Relay to visit Maidenhead, Eton and Windsor

The Queen's Baton Relay will be visiting Maidenhead, Eton and Windsor this July in the build-up to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
 
The Royal Borough will officially welcome the Baton on Wednesday 6 July and during its time in our area the relay will depart from Maidenhead via the waterways before travelling on water, foot and bike through Eton and into Alexandra Gardens in Windsor for a community celebration.
 
The full schedule of activity for the Baton’s time in the borough will follow. Members of the public are encouraged to get involved with the celebrations and embrace the arrival of the Baton, taking the opportunity to experience the buzz of Birmingham 2022 in their community. The Birmingham 2022 website will be updated over the coming months with detail on the events and where to line the route.
 
Read more in the press release.
Official opening of new public square is milestone in town centre regeneration

A new public plaza surrounded by retailers at Watermark, Countryside and the Royal Borough's £94m regeneration scheme, has been officially opened by Maidenhead MP Theresa May.
 
Centred around illuminated water features and surrounded by 20,000 sq ft of restaurant, café and leisure space, the new public square will bring fresh
life to the area adjacent to Maidenhead Library and the Town Hall.

The council, in partnership with Countryside, is driving forward the transformational regeneration of Maidenhead town centre, with Watermark and other redevelopment schemes bringing new homes, jobs and community facilities that enhance the vibrancy of the wider area and support further major investment.
 
Find our more in the press release.
Mind Your Health campaign shines the spotlight on loneliness

This May, we are running a month-long communications campaign, Mind Your Health, inspired by Mental Health Awareness Week, which is this week.
 
The theme for this year’s awareness week is loneliness, which can affect us all at different times and saw a rise during the pandemic. Did you know that loneliness raises a person’s risk of high blood pressure, dementia and depression? It is important to understand the risk that loneliness can pose and come together as a community to help ensure no one is isolated.

This week we've been looking at the negative impact loneliness can have on your health and promoting the local support resources available to help tackle loneliness, including Wellbeing Circles, NHS advice, and our Community Lives Service that supports people with learning disabilities and dementia. 
 
Next week will focus on the link between physical and mental health. Make sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook to stay up to date with our campaign. #MindYourHealth
Braywick Leisure Centre shortlisted for exciting award

Congratulations to Braywick Leisure Centre, which has been shortlisted in the 'Regional & National Club/Centre of the Year' category for the south at this year's ukactive Awards.

The winners of these much-coveted leisure industry awards will be announced on Thursday 30 June.
 
The Royal Borough’s leisure centres are operated by Leisure Focus, a not-for-profit charitable organisation established to work with local communities, supporting clubs and individuals to achieve their sporting and lifestyle goals.
 
Discover more about our leisure centres on the Leisure Focus website.
Reminder: Enter this year's Garden in Bloom competition

If you have a garden you'd like to showcase, or know of one in your neighbourhood that deserves recognition, you can enter it into this year's Garden in Bloom competition.

Any garden visible from a footpath or road is eligible for entry. Nominations can also be made by residents, passers-by or by councillors in their own wards until Thursday 30 June.

There is just a single category, and the competition will be judged by councillors on a ward-by-ward basis. All entrants will receive a certificate and the winner and runner-up in each ward will also receive a rosette. In addition, the winner will receive a £20 voucher to spend at Braywick Heath Nurseries.

For more information and how to enter, see our press release.
Wine tasting evenings at the Windsor Guildhall

The Windsor Guildhall is collaborating with Berkshire Fizz to offer three unique wine tasting evenings at the Guildhall.

The events promise to be a fun way to spend an evening: you can sharpen your wine tasting skills and learn all about the wonderful world of sparkling wine and champagne in the stunning environment of the beautiful Council Chamber.

Upcoming events include:

  • Thursday 19 May 7-9pm - Sparkling Wines of the World

  • Thursday 16 June 7-9pm - Champagne blind wine tasting

  • Thursday 14 July 7-9pm - The Rosé Revolution.

The sessions are fun and informal with no previous wine tasting experience required.

For further information and the link to book, read the Windsor Guildhall Facebook post.
Berkshire residents urged to keep escape routes clear

This May, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is asking people to be mindful of any clutter in their homes that may be blocking escape routes.
It’s vital that everyone in a property knows how to get out, stay out, and call 999 in the event of a fire.

Advice is available of the fire service's website.
Royal Borough community spotlight

Here are just some of the upcoming community events in the Royal Borough:

  • Enter Craft Coop’s Platinum Jubilee competition - To celebrate Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee, Craft Coop Windsor are holding a competition for all ages to create a piece of art that represents the Jubilee. The competition is free to enter either as a group or individual, using any art technique you like (even recycled materials). Winners across four age categories will receive a £70 prize. The deadline for submissions is 5pm on Sunday 15 May. Learn more on the Craft Coop website.

  • The Stirling Prize: British Architecture’s Oscars. (Monday 16 May - 11.30am). The Stirling Prize has celebrated the very best contemporary buildings since 1996 and The Arts Society Maidenhead will be holding a talk in the Baylis Theatre at Braywick Leisure Centre looking at some of the hits, some of the misses, and several buildings that arguably should have won, but didn’t. £10 for non-members. Email membershipmaidenhead@theartssociety.org to book your place and for more information, or just come along. Visit the society's website for more information.

  • Comedy night. (Thursday 19 May - 7.30pm to 11pm). The Free Cockerel of Berkshire Comedy Club in Maidenhead is holding a charity comedy show in aid of Thames Valley Adventure Playground at the sports bar in Summerleaze Park. The evening features award-winning comedian Phil Henderson, Rhodri Buttrick and Louise Leigh and will be hosted by MC Thor Stenhaug. The evening will also see up-and-coming comedy stars take to the stage. Tickets cost £25. Visit Eventbrite for tickets.

  • Picnic in the Park - "Rock The Rec". (Saturday and Sunday, 2 and 3 July - 12 to 7pm). The two-day event at the Pirate Park in Dedworth, Windsor will celebrate The Queen's Platinum Jubilee with live music, a vegan market, food, artisan and craft stalls, funfair, bars, children's activities and much more. Tickets are £5 per person, per day and further details can be found on the Rock the Rec website.

  • Support for people with neurological conditions (every Tuesday, 10.30am - 1pm). The Sequela Foundation provides a weekly seated exercise session for any local resident with conditions such as Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke or Ataxia. The session starts with coffee and a chat, a seated exercise class for 45 minutes, followed by a sandwich lunch. Membership is £30 annually, plus £2 for the lunch each week. Meetings are held at NMCC Sports Bar, Summerleaze Park, Summerleaze Road, SL6 8SP. More information is available on the foundation's website.

  • Wild About Gardens Awards 2022 is a free local awards scheme to encourage residents to put wildlife at the heart of their gardening. New categories this year cover balconies and courtyards, allotments and communal gardens (which could include schools, businesses or care homes) alongside private gardens. Find out more and enter online on the WildCookham and Wild Maidenhead websites. The closing date is 31 July 2022.  

  • Maidenhead Street Angels are looking for more members so that they can increase their bi-monthly weekend nightly patrols in Maidenhead town centre. Wearing distinctive blue coats, the volunteers look for anyone who is vulnerable on a night out. This can include anyone walking on their own at night, suffering from excess alcohol or not sure where to find a taxi or train. For more information or to apply for a ‘taster’ session email stangelsm@hotmail.co.uk or visit their Facebook page. 

  • Volunteer with Filling Good. The community and not-for-profit zero waste shop of Maidenhead is looking for help. Be a part of the cooperative, which is striving to help local residents refill their groceries and have a more sustainable lifestyle. More information is available on Filling Good's website.

If you have an upcoming not-for-profit community event or activity you’d like to promote in this newsletter simply send basic information about your event to communications@rbwm.gov.uk and it could be shared with over 19,000 local residents.

You just need to include a brief description, when and where it takes place, and a link to a website/social media page/contact where people can find out more.
Have your say

We regularly hold consultations to get your views on proposals within the Royal Borough.

Responding to our consultations and giving your feedback is the best way to ensure your views are heard.

Our current consultations are:
M4 updates

The M4 is due to be closed overnight in both directions between Junctions 6 (Slough) and 5 (Langley) from 10pm on both Saturday 14 May and Sunday 15 May, reopening by 6am the next morning.

The M4 is also due to be closed in both directions over the weekend from 20 May to 23 May between Junctions 6 (Slough) and 8/9 (Maidenhead). The closure will start at 10pm on Friday 20 May and the motorway will reopen by 6am on Monday 23 May.

Visit the Highways England website for more details on the M4 smart motorway scheme.

For details of council works on highways, visit our website. For full local roadwork details, including work by utility firms, please visit the One Network website.
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