Leisure, culture, and life skills

We want you to be an active member of the community, and to have all the chances in life that other young adults have.

We will support and provide you with these opportunities:

• Stay healthy
• Take part in hobbies and leisure activities
• Find local places of worship
• Explore your family’s heritage and culture
• Explore LGBTQIA+ identity
• Attend special events and religious festivals
• Join the electoral role so you can vote
• Young people who are interested can be referred to the Duke of Edinburgh award

Financial support

We can help you with:

• Free membership or up to £30 per month to attend a gym in the Wokingham borough area, up to the age of 25
• For those living out of the area, gym fees can be arranged up to £30 per month
• Fees for clubs and groups
• Purchasing equipment for sporting activities
• Purchasing religious items
• £50 festival allowance for religious festivals

Your Identity

We will ensure that those supporting you understand the things that are important to you and your identity.

Celebration of achievements

Your individual achievements will be recognised and celebrated, for example with a celebration meal.

Learning to drive

We can support you with the costs of:

• Provisional license
• Driving lessons. We can support you with the costs of 10 hours of driving lessons, or up to the value of £500, whichever comes first
• Your first driving theory test
• First driving test
• Compulsory basic training for a moped

Participation and engagement with the council

Your views, wishes and experiences are important to us, and we want to ensure all Care Leavers’ voices are heard by the people making the decisions. This helps us understand how we are doing and how our services are impacting you.  

We have several opportunities for you to participate, meet with the Lead Member for Children’s Services and (senior) officers, or work on plans for the future of Children in Care and Care Leavers. 

Children in Care and Care Leavers have the opportunity to meet with the Lead Member for Children’s Services on a regular basis at children in care and care leaver events. This gives you the chance to share your thoughts, and your ideas can help improve your experience and those of others in Wokingham. 

We offer opportunities for young people to take part in interviews for children's services roles. Training will be provided for young people who are interested to take part in this.

Activities and Events

There are frequent Children in Care and Care Leaver activities and events, where you can meet with other care experienced young people, take part in activities and have fun.  

Children in Care Council

We also have a Children In Care Council, a group of young people who represent the voice of all Children in Care and Care Leavers in Wokingham in relation to their rights and entitlements. The aim of the CIC Council is to ensure young people in care have a voice around issues that matter to them and ensure all their voices are heard by the people making the decisions. There are frequent CIC Council meetings where you can come along. 

If you are interested in taking part in activities or events, meeting our Lead Member, becoming a part of our Children in Care Council please discuss this with your PA.