Meet Glenn

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About me

My name is Glenn Peares and I work as an Inclusion Officer in the council’s Insight, Strategy and Inclusion Team.

I’ve been in my current role for over a year and my predominant focus includes the Tackling Poverty Strategy and the Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) Strategy including both strategies’ yearly action plans.

My responsibilities include meeting with internal and external services to learn more about local issues such as poverty in the borough and working out how to address these issues and deliver help to residents in need.

For example, I helped project manage support for the Cost of Living crisis, working with local partners and the voluntary community sector to help coordinate resource and services e.g. surviving winter campaign, warm hubs and free school meals to residents in need.

I helped organise the council's inaugural Ethnically Diverse Staff Network event which brings ethnically diverse colleagues together to work towards tackling inequality in the workplace whilst celebrating our differences.

Our colleagues help to support underrepresented groups and create a more inclusive workspace, as well as supporting the council’s Equalities Plan (2021-25).

How I help residents

I really enjoy meeting new people including residents and networking with local partners and VCS groups to learn more about the issues they are experiencing and working collaboratively to find ways we can help.

We have a plan to stop poverty in Wokingham Borough which is outlined in our Tackling Poverty Strategy. The council’s long-term aspiration is doing everything we can to prevent poverty and working towards ending it completely in our borough. The strategy aims to help three main groups:

• People in persistent hardship - these are people on low income, Universal Credit or other benefits
• People who are just about managing - these are people who don’t have much money left at the end of the month
• People who are asset rich, cash poor - these are people who own a home or a car, which is an asset, but they don’t have much money

I also work with and help support The Hardship Alliance, a tackling poverty group, formed in 2022 by Age UK Berkshire, Citizen’s Advice, First Days Children’s Charity, Wokingham United Charities and Wokingham Borough Council.

The alliance is making a real difference to local people who are struggling with the cost of living crisis. For instance, the alliance can provide a £100 voucher per household to help with food, fuel and energy bills.

The government’s household support fund enabled the alliance to turn a £60,000 investment in energy efficient devices into an estimated £150,000 savings in winter alone.

Items such as light bulbs, draft excluders, radiator insulation, shower timers, heated blankets, heated clothes airers, energy efficient kettles, air fryers and slow cookers were given to residents and families in need to help them heat and eat whilst helping them throughout winter.

It is estimated that during the lifespan of these devices, residents will save about £1.2million on their fuel bills.

Testimonials from residents

‘I’m just ringing up to say thank you so much, I’ve received my grant - it’s a life changer. I can now start cooking and eating again. Thank you so, so much. Take care – I’m sure everyone else that you help thanks you as well.’ 

"I want to let you know I have found a job and won’t need the vouchers going forward. You’ve been an absolute lifesaver for me and my daughter in difficult times so thank you very much for all the support the past year." 

Get financial help today

Anyone who is struggling financially, particularly with the cost of living crisis, can get support. You do not need to be in receipt of benefits.

Our partners can provide money to help with a food, fuel or cash voucher through The Household Support Fund. This fund will see more than £1million allocated to help Wokingham Borough residents in 2023/24 – it comes directly from the Government to help residents struggling with food, energy, bills and other essentials.

To apply:

• Call Citizens Advice Wokingham One Front Door on 0808 278 7958
• Apply on Citizens Advice Wokingham website
• Call Age UK Berkshire on (0118) 959 4242
• Email Age UK Berkshire

You can also apply for a free Holiday Food Voucher if you have a child who is in receipt of free school meals. Visit the Household Support Fund webpages to learn more.