WHITLEY Community Development Association has been nominated as Community of the Year, sponsored by Hilton Reading.
The group’s nominator said: “WCDA provide invaluable support [to] the community of Whitley, through the community cafe, the food surplus scheme and initiatives like their Wellbeing Wednesdays.
“WCDA empower members of the community to have pride in their area and to realise their full potential as a valued individual with something to offer to their local community.”
The organisation is back at the Pride of Reading awards after it was named charity of the year in 2021.
Community development officer Trisha Bennett and business manager Lisa Alloune said: “WCDA are honoured to be nominated for the Community of the Year award.
“Over the last few years community spirit in Whitley has grown tremendously. WCDA is a community organisation of and about Whitley.
“On a daily basis, all sections of the community come together in one of our many aspects; cafe, social club, community museum, health checks, food project.
“A sense of place and belonging is at the heart of everything we are about. Community spirit and involvement is at the highest it’s been for many years.”
The WCDA provides a number of services to members of its community, with a strong emphasis providing a people-facing service.
Its community cafe on Northumberland Avenue is the ideal spot for residents to catch up with friends and family over a hot drink or English breakfast.
The cafe houses the organisation’s food surplus programme, which helps hundreds of people each month, and is supported by various supermarkets across Reading.
A recent visit saw shadow ministers drop by to speak to residents and representatives from various community groups.
Residents had previously expressed a need for a place to gather as there had been a lack of communal spaces in Whitley.
WCDA is determined to ensure residents’ voices are heard, with many getting involved in the Whitley Researchers.
The project sees stakeholders working together with academics from the University of Reading to discuss issues which need addressing in their area.
One of the project’s biggest achievements was rerouting the number nine bus route to ensure Whitley residents had direct access to Royal Berkshire Hospital.
The organisation also sees NHS staff drop in for its monthly Well-being Wednesdays, CommuniCare advice sessions, the Stroke Association and carboot sales.
Keen to serve all members of its community, the organisation also runs children’s activities projects during the holidays.
