Charity is at the heart of the Wokingham Word.

Over the years, I have been proud to support local charities and non-profit making organisations literally thousands of times, with free publicity reaching 30,000 local homes. It’s central to both the content and ethos of the Wokingham Word … readers love it, and charities tell me every month, how much they benefit. It’s a privilege to be a force for good in Wokingham.

Every year, I spotlight one very special charity. I tell their story and let Wokingham know why they’re important to our community.

My Chosen Charity for 2025 is

Building for the Future

Building for the Future is a parent led charity providing free activities, support and therapy for children with disabilities and/or additional needs and their families.

Founded in 2007 by a group of parents of disabled children with the aim of launching a specialist, inclusive and accessible community centre. After seven years of fundraising alongside caring for their families, “Our House” was opened in 2014 by the Earl and Countess of Wessex. Ten years on, over 500 children and young people with disabilities come through our doors each year. There wasn’t – and there still isn’t – anywhere for children with profound and complex disabilities to meet and play in our area.

As parents of disabled children themselves, they are experts in delivering bespoke, highly specialist services to a group of people whom society seem to forget. When disabled young people leave school or college, support services slip away. With little or no routine and purpose they struggle with intense isolation and depression. As service users grew up they asked, “What is out there for me?”, “Who will help me now?”
In response to this we launched BFTF Plus, dedicated to school-leavers and young adults, offering a “match-making” service between them and mentors, buddies or activities.

Can YOU help build a better future for disabled children and their families in the Wokingham area?

Our House is now old and tired and not big enough. We are now unfortunately having to turn away families and groups working with disabled children which breaks our hearts.

So we are moving! To bigger, better premises in Thames Valley Park, which will allow us to continue offering our services, to more families, and with better facilities. We’ve signed a new 15 year lease on a 3,500sqft facility (with a wrap-around garden!) that will be fully inclusive and more accessible. From here, we can expand our free services to more of the area’s disabled community. Having a much larger, safe and purpose-built facility will increase confidence and the mental wellbeing of disabled children and young people.

But … we need to make it fit for purpose, and in order to do so, we need help with:
a Kitchen
Bathrooms
Training areas
Garden fencing
Outdoor play areas
Sensory and soft play areas
Specialist mobility and assistive tech products

This is such an exciting time for the charity, and you can be part of our new legacy. If you are a business and can help donate products, services, or installation by means of in-kind, charitable rates, or on a voluntary basis, we would really love to hear from you.

Alternatively, businesses and residents can support us by donating a brick – please scan the QR code or visit our website: www.bftf.org.uk/our-house-is-on-the-move or email: jason@bftf.org.uk.
More news and updates coming soon.

www.bftf.org.uk
admin@bftf.org.uk
Building for the Future, Our House, Toutley Road, Wokingham, RG41 1QN. Registered Charity: 1121458