Connecting Communities in Berkshire

28/10/2026

Despite the wet and windy weather last week, CCB's Community Buildings Advisor, Kate Meads, enjoyed a warm welcome at Brimpton Village Hall.

Kate visited the hall as part of the 21st Century Halls Project, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, which offers free consultations and advice to community buildings across Berkshire.

Although small and rural, Brimpton Village Hall plays a huge role in local life. Recent improvements, including solar panels, battery storage and a new kitchen, are helping to make the hall more sustainable and fit for the future.

The hall hosts a wide range of activities, from sessions for people with special educational needs and fitness classes to craft groups, fundraising events and community gatherings. It's also regularly used by the local school and church.

What really stood out was the dedication of the trustees, whose passion and commitment keep the hall thriving. Like many community buildings, however, they face the ongoing challenge of recruiting new trustees. It's a rewarding role that offers the chance to learn new skills, meet people and make a real difference locally.

Brimpton Village Hall is a fantastic example of how volunteers, innovation and community spirit can help local spaces flourish, and we're proud to support halls like this through the 21st Century Halls Project.

Brimpton Parish Council

27/10/2026

mmHelp Local People Reduce Their Utility Bills This Winter

Many households are continuing to feel the strain of rising energy and water costs. That's why we're offering a free online training session for practitioners and volunteers who support residents across West Berkshire.

📅 10 November
⏰ 10.30am - 12.15pm
💻 Online
💷 Free to attend

The session will help you better support residents by covering:

✅ Energy and water supplier support schemes
✅ Warm Home Discount and social tariffs
✅ Managing utility debt and accessing grants
✅ Priority Services Register support
✅ Funding for insulation, heating and boiler upgrades
✅ Simple ways to reduce household energy and water use
✅ Switching suppliers and tariffs

Whether you work with low-income households, older people, families, or vulnerable residents, you'll gain practical, up-to-date information to help people stay warm, reduce bills, and maximise available support.

One previous attendee said:

"Full of useful information and really helpful for the work we do."

To book your free place; https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/2000399098553?aff=oddtdtcreator

26/10/2026

🍎🌱 Applications are now open for the 2026 Veolia Orchard scheme! 🌱🍓

If you're a voluntary, community or charity group in West Berkshire, you could receive 5 fruit trees or 10 strawberry plants to help create a thriving community orchard and boost local biodiversity.

✅ Free fruit trees or strawberry plants
✅ Free Pro-Grow soil conditioner
✅ Optional planting session with Veolia experts
✅ A great way to support wildlife, wellbeing and community learning

⏰ Apply by 20 November 2026

Find out more and apply at: veolia.co.uk/veolia-orchard

Please share with any local groups, schools, community spaces, care homes or places of worship that might be interested!

🍎🌿

22/10/2026

A big welcome and thank you to our newest and renewing members!

We're delighted to welcome and thank:

• Town Council
• Shinfield Parish Council
• White Waltham Parish Council
• Shaw cm Donnington Village Hall: Expansion
• Winnersh Parish Council
• Hampstead Norreys Parish Council
• Chaddleworth Parish Council

Their support helps us continue bringing people, organisations and communities together across Berkshire.

If you'd also like to support the work of CCB, why not become a member? Individual membership is free, and joining is a simple way to stay informed, connected and involved with community action across Berkshire.

Find our more about the different memberships we offer here: https://ccberks.org.uk/ccb-membership/

20/10/2026

Help Shape Healthier Neighbourhoods in West Berkshire

What makes your community a great place to live? What could be improved to help people live healthier, more connected lives?

Healthwatch West Berkshire and West Berkshire Council want to hear from local residents through their Community Conversations programme. Your feedback will help influence future plans and ensure local voices are heard.

Join one of the upcoming events:

Online Session
Wednesday 28 October | 6.30pm to 8.30pm

In-Person Workshop
British Legion, Newbury
Thursday 5 November | 9.30am to 11.30am

Share your views, discuss what matters most in your community, and help shape future services and support. West Berkshire Council Healthwatch West Berkshire

19/10/2026

Could you help shape future health and care services while staying active and connected in your community?

On Thursday 29 October, the South Central Ambulance Service research vehicle will be visiting Chieveley Village Hall during Debbie Medlin's popular MOVEability seated exercise class.

This is a fantastic opportunity to meet NHS research staff, learn about local health and care research, and find out how you can get involved in studies that aim to improve support for people in later life.

One study currently seeking participants is the Social Frailty Screening Tool, which looks at how we can better identify and support older people who may be at risk of losing the social connections and support networks that help them stay independent and well.

You don't need any previous experience of research. Simply come along, take part in the friendly seated exercise class if you'd like, and chat with the team to learn more.

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post with anyone who may be interested. Penny Post West Berkshire Network Chieveley Village Hall

17/10/2026

Funding Opportunities This Month!

Looking for funding for your charity, community group, village hall or local project? We've rounded up a range of current opportunities that could help bring your ideas to life.

This month's highlights include:

✅ Tesco Fruit & Veg Grants - up to £1,500
✅ Cash4Clubs - £2,000 for grassroots sports clubs
✅ Morrisons Foundation Connecting Communities Grants - up to £20,000
✅ Trees Outside Woodland Fund - £10,000 to £40,000
✅ Wildlife Trusts Green Community Grants - £10,000 to £25,000
✅ Screwfix Foundation Grants - around £5,000
✅ Community garden, heritage, theatre, digital and clean energy funding opportunities

Whether you're improving a community building, supporting children and young people, tackling loneliness, enhancing green spaces or launching a new community project, there's something worth exploring.

🔗 Read our full October funding round-up here: https://ccberks.org.uk/2026/10/08/october-funding-opportunities/

Please share with local groups and organisations that may benefit.

16/10/2026

A warm welcome to our newest Community Buildings Advice Service (CBAS) members!

We're delighted this year to welcome Clewer Scout & Guides Group, Earley St Peter's CofE Church Hall, Clewer Parish Hall, Barkham Village Hall, Theale Village Hall and The Loddon Hall to our growing network of community buildings across Berkshire.

These venues play an invaluable role in bringing people together, providing spaces for local groups, activities, events and services that help strengthen communities. Through CBAS, we're proud to support the volunteers and committees who work hard to keep these important community assets thriving.

If you're looking for a venue for a meeting, event or activity, or you're involved in managing a community building and would like support, visit our website to explore our members directory and find out more about the services we offer.
https://ccberks.org.uk/our-projects/community-buildings/community-buildings-advice-service-members/

14/10/2026

🌧️ Flood Action Week is a reminder that resilience starts long before the water rises.

Preparing for flooding isn't just about responding to emergencies. It's about communities working together, sharing information and supporting one another before a crisis occurs.

Take a look at this excellent case study from Action with Communities in Rural England - ACRE below ⬇️

🌧️ For , we’re looking at how colleagues across the ACRE Network are helping their communities prepare for flooding.

Lucy Eccles and her colleagues at Gloucestershire Rural Community Council are helping communities build resilience before flooding becomes a crisis.

With more than 100 volunteer flood wardens, community emergency plans and strong links with local resilience partners, their work is helping residents to understand risks, share local knowledge and prepare to support one another when emergencies strike.

🤝 It’s a reminder that resilience starts long before the water rises.

🔗 Read the full case study at www.acre.org.uk

11/10/2026

Rural households must not be forgotten in the energy crisis.

Many homes in Berkshire's rural communities rely on heating oil or LPG rather than mains gas, leaving them exposed to much larger energy price rises and without the protection of the energy price cap.

Our colleagues at the ACRE Network are calling on the Government to provide targeted support for off-grid households this winter, including a temporary VAT reduction on heating oil and LPG.

With fuel poverty already higher in rural areas, it's essential that rural residents receive the help they need to stay warm and well.

Find out more here: https://acre.org.uk/energy-price-rises-hit-heating-oil-users-hardest-as-costs-soar-by-74-per-cent/