Since 2022, the Royal Borough has received over £4.56 million through the Government’s Household Support Fund, enabling the council to support those residents that need it the most with holiday grocery vouchers for families receiving free school meals and one-off payments to residents in financial need.
In partnership with local schools and community organisations, the council has distributed more than 70,000 grocery vouchers and administered over 6,500 resident payments.
Working in partnership has been key to the success of the scheme locally - the council’s partnership model has been central to the success of the support scheme across the borough, with Citizens Advice East Berkshire serving as the overarching partner, helping residents navigate the application process and access additional resources.
Cllr Catherine del Campo, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health & Housing, said: “The Household Support Fund has been a lifeline for many residents. Our collaborative approach with schools and community partners has ensured support reaches those who need it most, while also connecting residents to wider services such as debt advice and food banks.
“We’re proud of the impact our support has had in our borough. As we transition to the new Crisis and Resilience Fund, it is essential the Government’s new scheme continues to meet the needs of our most vulnerable households and builds on the success we’ve achieved together. We’re actively preparing for the change and hope to receive further details from Government soon, so we can ensure a smooth and timely transition for our residents.”
Following the announcement of the Government’s new Crisis and Resilience Fund, the council is planning for the smooth transition to the new initiative launching in April 2026.