Friendship Alliance
Led by The Link Visiting Scheme, the Friendship Alliance is a dynamic partnership between Age UK Berkshire, Involve Community Services and the Wokingham Volunteer Centre. United by a shared mission to reduce loneliness and social isolation across Wokingham Borough, the Alliance improves the mental and physical wellbeing of residents in Wokingham Borough.
Together, we are building a more connected, compassionate community through friendship-based activities that foster meaningful relationships. We offer accessible information and support, empower local organisations to grow, and bring people together through inclusive events and one-to-one Link Online coaching.
Ellen’s story
“Isolation was my life until I was told about The Friendship Table near me. Now it’s a must on the calendar and just brings joy, smiles and chat from the group of people who attend who obviously feel as I do.
It’s not an exaggeration to say it’s changed my life”. *Name changed
Friendship Champions
We have established a network of over 100 dedicated Friendship Champions, local volunteers who actively foster community spirit in the organisations and areas they participate in and build bridges between people. The majority of these ambassadors participate in quarterly forums, sharing insights and helping us identify and address service gaps.
If you organise a group or activity, or work in your local café, library or community space, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact jayne@linkvisiting.org to find out more or download our leaflet.
Friendship Tables
We are delighted to have a network of over 65 welcoming venues across the borough where anyone can drop in, enjoy refreshments, and connect with others. Available every day of the week, these tables ensure that no one has to feel alone. For more information on how to join or if you would like to host, please contact jayne@linkvisiting.org
What’s on by area
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Café Refresh
Wokingham Salvation Army, Sturges Road, Wokingham, RG40 2HD
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10:00 - 13:00Coffee Morning - Sedero Lounge
Sedero Lounge, Baileys House, Central Walk, Wokingham, RG40 1AZ
Every Monday, 10:30 - 12:00CLASP
The Bradbury Centre, Rose Street, Wokingham, RG40 1XS
3rd and 4th Tuesday of the month, 10:00 - 12:00
We welcome carers, support workers as well as their clients. We would love to meet more people who have learning disabilities, autism etc, no matter how profound or mild.Café Mosaic
The Bradbury Centre, Rose Street, Wokingham, RG40 1XS
Every Wednesday, 11:00 - 12:00The Well
Kings Place, 9 Station Road, Wokingham, RG40 2AD
Every Wednesday, 11:00 - 15:00Community Cafe
Waitrose, Rectory Rd, Wokingham, RG40 1BB
Usually 3rd Wednesday of the month, 15:00 - 16:00 (dates sometimes vary, so check in store)Empty Chair
The Broad Street Tavern, 29 Broad St, Wokingham, RG40 1AU
Every Wednesday, 19:00 - 20:00Link Thursdays
All Saints Church, Wiltshire Rd, Wokingham, RG40 1TN
Every Thursday, 10:00 - 13:00A Place to Meet
Wokingham Salvation Army, Sturges Road, Wokingham, RG40 2HD
Every Thursday, 10:00 - 12:00Thursday Group
Woosehill Church, 32 Chestnut Avenue, Wokingham, RG41 3RS
Every Thursday, 10:00 - 12:00Cosy Coffee Morning - Wokingham
Wokingham Library, Carnival Hub, Wellington Road, Wokingham, RG40 2AF
4th Thursday of the month, 10:00 - 11:30Let’s Connect
Community Hub, Waterford House, Erfstadt Court, Wokingham, RG40 2YF
Every other Thursday, 13:00 - 14:00Friendship Cafe
Alexandra Grange Care Home, Oaklands Drive, Molly Millars Ln, Wokingham, RG41 2RU
Last Thursday of the month, 14:00 - 15:00Space for All Coffee Morning
All Saints Church, Wiltshire Rd, Wokingham, RG40 1TN
Every Friday, 10:00 - 13:00Friday Lunch Club
The Cornerstone, Norreys Ave, Wokingham, RG40 1UE
1st Friday of the month, 12:30 - 14:00T & C at Share, Wokingham
Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham, RG40 1UU
Every Friday, 12:30 - 14:30Coffee & Chat
St Paul’s Parish Rooms, Reading Road, Wokingham, RG41 1EH
Every Friday, 14:00 - 16:00Sip & Share
Woosehill Church, 32 Chestnut Avenue, Wokingham, RG41 3RS
2nd Saturday of the month, 11:00 - 13:00 -
Shinfield Risers
Lower Earley Library, Chalfont Close, Lower Earley, RG6 5HZ
Every Monday, 10:00 - 11:30Sunshine Social
Earley St Peter’s Church Hall, Church Rd, Earley, Reading RG6 1EY
1st Monday of the month, 14:00 - 15:30
For those with dementia and their carerBoard Games Cafe
St Nicolas Church and Centre, Sutcliffe Avenue, Earley, RG6 7JN
Every Tuesday, 10:00 - 12:00Chatty Table
Toby Carvery, Unit 2 The Square, Chalfont Way, Lower Earley, RG6 5HJ
Every Wednesday, 10:00 - 12:00Open Door
Brookside Church, Brookside Close, Earley, RG6 7HG
Every Wednesday, 14:00 - 16:00Re:Fresh Cafe - Trinity Church
Trinity Church, 9 Chalfont Close, Earley, RG6 5HZ
Every Thursday, 14:00 - 16:00Re:Fresh Cafe - St Nicolas Church
St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue, Earley, RG6 7JN
Every Friday, 10:00 - 12:00Cosy Coffee Morning - Lower Earley
Lower Earley Library, Chalfont Close, Earley, RG6 5HZ
4th Friday of the month, 10:00 - 11:30S.N.A.C. (St Nicolas Afternoon Club)
St Nicolas Church and Centre, Sutcliffe Avenue, Earley, RG6 7JN
Every Friday, 14:15 - 16:00Men’s Breakfast
Salvation Army, Chalfont Close, Lower Earley, RG6 5HZ
2nd Saturday of the month, 10:00 - 12:00 -
Cameo Lunch Club
Woodley Baptist Church, Hurricane Way, Woodley, RG5 4UX
Every Tuesday, 10:00 - 13:00Coffee Morning - Woodley Baptist Church
Woodley Baptist Church, Hurricane Way, Woodley, RG5 4UX
Every Wednesday, 10:00 - 12:00Cuppa & Chat
Christ Church, Crockhamwell Rd, Woodley, RG5 3LA
Every Thursday, 10:00 - 11:30 (term time only)Cosy Coffee Morning - Woodley
Woodley Library, 6 Headley Road, Woodley, RG5 4JA
2nd and 3rd Thursday of the month, 10:00 - 11:30Friday Friends
St James’ Church Centre, Kingfisher Drive, Woodley, RG5 3LH
Every Friday, 10:00 - 12:00Lunch... Munch... and Chinwag!
St John’s Church Centre, Church Rd, Woodley, RG5 4QN
Every Friday, 11:30 - 14:00The 3Cs Cafe
Emmanuel Church, Southlake Crescent, Woodley, RG5 3QW
Every Friday, 13:30 - 15:30 -
Arborfield Coffee Morning
Sula Cafe, Lockey Farm Shop, Sindlesham Rd, Arborfield Cross, RG2 9JH
Every Monday, 10:00 - 11:30Share Shinfield
School Green Centre, School Green, Shinfield, RG2 9EH
Every Monday, 11:30 - 13:00Cameo
St Bartholomew’s Church Hall, Church Lane, Arborfield, RG2 9JD
2nd Monday of the month, 13:30 - 15:00Shinfield View Coffee Morning
Shinfield View Care Home, School Green, Shinfield, RG2 9EH
Every Tuesday, 10:45 - 12:15Coffee Corner
Davies Room, Swallowfield Parish Hall, Swallowfield St, Swallowfield, RG10 0SQ
Every Wednesday, 10:30 - 12:30Social Seniors Tea & Coffee
Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road, Spencers Wood, RG7 1DY
Every Thursday, 10:00 - 12:00Coffee Morning - School Green Centre
School Green Centre, School Green, Shinfield, RG2 9EH
Every Thursday, 10:00 - 11:45Community Club
Arborfield Village Hall, Eversley Road, Arborfield Cross, RG2 9PQ
Every Friday, 12:00 - 14:00Coffee Afternoon - Shinfield
St Mary’s Church Hall, Church Lane, Shinfield, RG2 9BY
1st Friday of the month, 14:00 - 16:00 -
Finchampstead Baptist Church Cafe
FBC Centre, Gorse Ride North, Finchampstead, RG40 4ES
Every Tuesday, 10:00 - 12:00Tea and Chat
St Mary and St John Parish Centre, Vicarage Close, Finchampstead, RG40 4JW
2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, 14:00 - 15:30Friendly Finches
Finchampstead Memorial Hall, The Village, Finchampstead, RG40 4JU
3rd Thursday of the month, 14:30 - 16:00GoodOaks Coffee Morning
FBC Centre, Gorse Ride North, Finchampstead, RG40 4ES
Every Friday, 10:00 - 11:30
For those with dementia and their carerCoffee Afternoon - Buckler’s Lodge
Buckler’s Lodge Care Home, Woodcote Green, Crowthorne, RG45 6HZ
2nd Friday of the month, 14:00 - 16:00 -
Pop-in Club
Hannen Room, St Mary’s Church, Station Road, Wargrave, RG10 8EU
Every Monday, 10:30 - 12:30Monday Club
Pearson Hall, Pearson Rd, Sonning, RG4 6UL
Every other Monday, 13:30 - 15:30The Welcome Cafe
Hannen Room, St Mary’s Church, Station Road, Wargrave, RG10 8EU
Every Tuesday, 14:30 - 16:00Cosy Coffee Morning - Wargrave
Wargrave Library, Church St, Wargrave, RG10 8EP
2nd Wednesday of the month, 10:00 - 12:00Coffee & Comfort
The Gardening Club Cafe, London Rd, Hare Hatch, RG10 9HW
Every Wednesday, 10:00 - 12:00
For those who are grievingThe Sunflower Club
Rainbow Community Centre, Rainbow Park, Winnersh, RG41 5SG
Every other Wednesday, 10:00 - 11:30Sonning Coffee Morning
Pearson Hall, Pearson Rd, Sonning, RG4 6UL
1st Wednesday of the month, 10:30 - 12:00Hurst Friendship Group
The Castle Inn, Church Hill, Hurst, RG10 0SJ
Every Wednesday, 12:30 - 15:00The Kingfisher Club
St Mary the Virgin Church Hall, Church Close, Winnersh, RG41 5NA
Every other Wednesday, 13:00 - 14:30Chatter & Natter Table
Berkshire County Sports Club, Sonning Lane, Sonning, RG4 6ST
Every Friday, 10:30 - 12:00 -
Coffee Morning - The Bull
The Bull, Basingstoke Rd, Riseley, RG7 1QL
Every Monday, 10:00 - 12:00Coffee Morning - Beech Hill
Beech Hill Memorial Hall, Wood Lane, Beech Hill, RG7 2BE
Every Wednesday, 10:30 - 12:00The Lavender Lounge
The Foxes Den, Benetfield Rd, Binfield, RG42 4EW
2nd Thursday of the month, 10:30 - 12:00Friends of Farley Gardens
Farley Gardens Care Home, Turnpike Rd, Binfield, RG42 1FW
2nd and 4th Friday of the month, 10:30 - 12:00
Join us
To join: We continue to hold a weekly Friendship Cafe online via Zoom. It is easily accessible - you don’t even need to make an account! We will send you an email with a link which will take you straight to the cafe. Feel free to ‘pop in’ and see what it’s all about, or pass this information on to someone who may benefit from a welcoming environment and some company.
To host: We are looking for community spaces, local cafes and pubs in Wokingham borough to host a Friendship Table on a regular basis to encourage people to sit and have a friendly chat. It is flexible to suit you! Let us know the day and time you would like to host a Friendship Table with your volunteers or staff. We will promote the table and your venue on our social media channels, newsletter and website along with referring local people who could benefit.
Our newsletter
The Friendship Alliance produce a fortnightly e-newsletter. We share local activities, groups, events and services in a simple, tidy layout that is easy to read, with links for further information. We also post regularly on our social media channels, often updating on local news or reporting about a great new group we’ve found that we’d like to recommend. We’d love you to follow us and tell us about what is happening in your local community.
Helpful links
Here are some helpful links to reports about loneliness: