Community Partners

The Emmanuel Neighbourhood Centre

We believe God loves the people of Woodley, and we want to live out that love in action and not just words. In 2021, we opened a major extension to our existing building, the Emmanuel Neighbourhood Centre. The extra space enables us to partner more effectively with local people and promote the wellbeing of our local community.

We work with local charities and Wokingham council to host activities and events to benefit our neighbourhood, as well as offer a space for hire for birthday parties, private events and classes for the local community.

Scroll down to see the different charities we work with throughout the week, and how you can get involved.

Mondays, 3.30 to 4.30 pm

SHARE is a community project that offers a range of fresh produce, including bread and vegetables, which are either surplus or end-of-day items from the local supermarkets. Bring a bag and pick up some food; no referral is needed.

There is a minimum £1 donation, most of which will go towards local charities in Woodley. More information on Share Woodley can be found on their facebook page. This service is run at 15 sites across the borough in conjunction with Wokingham council.

Monday Drop-In
3:30 to 4.45 pm (term time only)

During Share, we run a family room for those attending with children. There is space for children to play games, do crafts, and colour, and for parents and guardians to unwind and have a chat. You will be met by some friendly faces from Emmanuel’s congregation, who are also there to chat with. When the weather is nice, we open the garden for outdoor activities, including football.

Parents need to stay with their child throughout the session. We have space for the parents to sit, have a drink, and catch up with one another.

If you are joining us on a Monday and would like to access SHARE, we have a number system in place that means you won’t miss your opportunity to go through to the main hall and collect some food. For more information about this group, contact Claire Jones [email protected]

Woodley Foodbank

Woodley Foodbank serves the people of Woodley and surrounding areas, and is run by the Pilot Lights Trust, a charity set up by the churches of Woodley. You’ll find the Foodbank in their bright and cheerful portacabin in the Emmanuel carpark!

If you need a food parcel, you can collect one from Emmanuel most weekday mornings. Please click HERE for more information and opening times on the Woodley Food Bank website.

Lunch Bunch

Woodley Lunch Bunch was set up in the summer of 2020 in response to the financial impact on many families during the pandemic, and has continued to offer support ever since.

Lunch Bunch offers a packed lunch delivery service for children during the school holidays. They deliver to families in Woodley (RG5) who are having a hard time financially, as well as activity packs, toiletry/hygiene parcels and food packages where possible.

If you would like to request a lunch, or to donate to their work, you can do so online. Click HERE for the Lunch Bunch website.

Emmanuel Community Garden

The Emmanuel Community Garden opened in 2022 with the help of Feely Fruity and Wokingham Council.

It encourages residents in our local area to grow organic fruit and vegetables for themselves and their community while at the same time becoming more socially and physically active. It helps fight isolation by encouraging people to form new friendships and relationships and developing stronger ties within their community.

If you would like to find out more about volunteering in the community garden, please contact Dave Mansfield by e-mailing [email protected].