Halsall: work will continue

THE work of the Wokingham Borough Community Hubs will go on for some time to come.

The leader of the borough council, Cllr John Halsall, said that the volunteer-led initiative will carry on as long as demand for its services exists.

The scheme has been running since the end of March and has seen local charities work together with the council to provide a support network for vulnerable residents.

This has included emergency food parcels, befriending phone calls and collection of prescriptions.

And Cllr Halsall is looking to the day when it is no longer needed as the coronavirus pandemic has passed.

He said: “We’ve done our best to support our residents, and it’s a credit to our staff and volunteers.

“They will probably be needed for many months, and we will continue for as long as we are needed.

“We are trying to encourage people to become selfsufficient. The food they are receiving isn’t their choice, it’s what we choose for them. People should be able to get out and run their lives.

“But for the shielded group, we will look after them until the responsible medical authorities say they can go freely outside into society.”