To have a discussion, requested by Cllr Helen Price, on what the future of the charity sector might look like.

Jesal Dhokia, Transformation Project Manager at RBWM, updated the group with the work that they had been doing. An initial platform had been created with 700 volunteers and around 200 of them had said that they would like to carry on volunteering. They had worked with and supported groups, with £20,000 in grant funding being made available. A dedicated webpage had been created on the RBWM website where there was a map of organisations across the borough and a ‘organisation finder’ tool. There were over 2,600 residents in the borough who were on the shielding list and staff from across RBWM had been deployed to help them. This group would continue to receive call from volunteers and RBWM staff.

Looking forward, Jesal Dhokia explained that they had been looking to design an app which organisations could add their details to. This would enable residents to be sign posted to relevant organisations and groups which were appropriate to their needs, with the app looking to be launched at the end of June/early July. The goal was to have a service that identified with local people and would ensure that the three major towns that made up the borough were covered. There was an ambition to deliver a joined up and connected service across RBWM and they wanted to make sure that the user experience was taken on board. The pilot for the app would initially be in Windsor before spreading across the borough. Jesal Dhokia reiterated her passion for the project, and said that it could make a real difference in the community.

Councillor C Da Costa said that she was excited by this project and welcomed other parties that were interested in taking this forward. Covid had brought people and groups together and this could start something significant.

Councillor Rayner said that Jesal and her team had worked very hard in trying to support the community and suggested that this item came back to future One Borough meetings so that the group could be informed of further updates. Councillor Stimson agreed and said that the support from Jesal’s team had been excellent.

Councillor Price said that on a national level the charity sector would be challenged and suggested that groups should alert each other if they got into difficulties.

Maria Evans said that Our Community Enterprise was keen to get involved with the project and explained that they had been involved in work designed to encourage charities to consider if they should be working alone or in coordination with others.

David Scott reminded members of the group that One Borough had its own directory with key contact details of the organisations that were part of the group. This would improve communication between groups and encouraged any group that had not yet submitted their contact details to get in touch. He also said that the Berkshire Community Foundation had received additional funds from the government and they had distributed money locally. They were keen for organisations to make applications, with grants being awarded on a monthly basis.

Danielle Lane said that the European Skills Funding Agency had given funding to some groups in Clewer and Dedworth. Radian also had a community grant fund which they were able to give to groups provided they were supporting Radian residents.

Valerie Pike asked if there was a place where groups could see the progress being made on the project and if the app would be coming to other areas, like Ascot. Jesal Dhokia said that there was an area on the RBWM website, on the Covid Response page. She said that she would also update this group on a regular basis. The project would be piloted in Windsor initially.

Councillor Rayner commented on the strength of the One Borough group and that they had the ability to identify common links and work together.

The Chairman, Karnail Pannu, said that the Mosque in Maidenhead had delivered over 1,500 food parcels to those that needed them while on 8^th November 2020 a walk with faith leaders would take place. The Chairman then concluded the meeting with some closing remarks.