National Carers Week - Supporting and celebrating carers in our community

As we mark National Carers Week, we are saying a huge “thank you” to the many residents in our community who kindly provide unpaid care for a family member, friend, or neighbour – and highlighting some of the support available for carers.

We work with our social care partners Optalis, Achieving for Children, and NHS Frimley, and a range of other partners, to support young and adult carers in their important caring role as well as their physical and mental wellbeing.

What support is available for carers?

There is a range of practical and financial support available to carers of all ages. A carer’s assessment is used to explore an individual carer’s circumstances and to identify appropriate support.

Depending on the outcome of the assessment, this could be in the form of a Timeout Card, Carers Direct Payment, or referral to the council. We can also let you know about community support groups. For example, young carers are assessed and supported through Family Action, dementia carers are referred to the Dementia Care Advisors, and Alzheimer’s Dementia Support. We also have Community Support Workers based in the Mental Health Team who provide support to mental health carers.

Direct payments given to carers can be spent on things to make the caring role easier. You may be eligible for a Timeout Card which gives access to a leisure centre, so you can have a break and focus on wellbeing. Respite makes a huge difference to a carer and to the person cared for. Our other services include parking permits and companion bus passes – see the council’s website for more details.

I’m a carer in the Royal Borough – how can I access support?



You can contact our duty team for advice and guidance by calling 01628 683744 or visit the Optalis website for our Carers Self-Assessment Form.

Supporting young carers 

Children who have caring responsibilities at home still need time to have fun and lead a healthy and fulfilling life.

A young carer is someone aged between 5 and 18-years-old who provides care, assistance, and physical or emotional support to another family member – often a parent or sibling.

They could also be carrying out substantial caring tasks and responsibilities usually undertaken by an adult. Often the young person doesn’t even recognise they are a carer as it’s just part of the family dynamic. 

We are committed to making caring a positive and manageable experience for all young carers through our Young Carers Service. 

While they continue to provide important care, young carers should also be able to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. Our Young Carers Service, provided through the charity Family Action, helps reduce this burden of care where possible and improves young carers’ wellbeing and development.

The service offers young carers the opportunity to have respite from their caring role by attending regular fun activities and meeting other young carers. There is also the opportunity to take part in small group work around specific common issues young carers face, alongside tailored one-to-one support on how to cope.

Respite services provide much-needed breaks for families 

For the families of children and adults with disabilities and complex needs, our respite support services provide an opportunity for a much-needed break, while ensuring their loved one continues to receive the support they need.  

Our Allenby Road respite facility, in Maidenhead, provides personalised support and care for adults with learning disabilities, who may also have additional complex physical disabilities or sensory needs. 

Run by our social care partner, Optalis, the four-bedroom, 24-hour respite service offers overnight short breaks within a homely environment. There are plenty of activities to choose from, including arts and crafts, music and singing, dance, keep fit, cookery, computers, movies, and TV. 



For children and young people with disabilities, the Children and Young People Disability Service, part of our children’s services partner, Achieving for Children, provides a range of short break services. Short breaks provide disabled children and young people with fun, enjoyment, and a chance to be with friends while their parents and carers get a break from caring.  

Free dementia support groups 

Each month there are free dementia support groups available to attend and hosted by our adult social care partner, Optalis.

Held at Boyn Grove Library, Courthouse Road, Maidenhead, there is the chance to meet others in the same situation, share experiences and talk through issues, learn more about community resources, as well as practical information, advice, and guidance.

Each first Thursday of the month between 10.30am and 11.30am Dementia Care Advisors offer a safe space for caregivers, family and friends of those living with dementia or memory loss.

Each first Wednesday of the month, between 10.30am and 11.30am, there is a cultural-specific support group for Black, Asian, and minority ethnic communities, hosted by an ethnic minorities’ development worker in partnership with our Dementia Care Advisors. The session offers supportive space for carers, family and friends of those who have learning disabilities or are living with dementia.

The support groups aim to help you and your family live well with dementia. We work closely with a wide range of services throughout our area to help residents retain independence for as long as possible.

Here is a useful booklet with information and ideas to positively support those living with dementia. Or to contact the Dementia Care Advisors please call 01628 683715 or email.

Game on for the Windsor & Maidenhead Community Lottery

We've launched our Windsor & Maidenhead Community Lottery, an exciting new fundraising initiative for good causes across the borough plus the chance for residents to win cash prizes ranging from £25,000 to £25.

Local good causes can register to be beneficiaries via the borough’s community lottery website. Registration is easy and free. Local good causes already signed up include charities supporting disabilities, active travel, and animals, as well as PTAs and other community organisations. 60p of all lottery ticket sales benefit good causes. Players choose which good cause in the Royal Borough they want their ticket sale to benefit when they buy their tickets, also via the above website.

Public tickets for the lottery go on sale on Tuesday 4 July. To celebrate the borough’s first weekly draw on 29 July, and thanks to the generosity of local businesses, there are two additional prizes to win including a sumptuous afternoon tea/spa session, and an overnight stay at a luxury hotel. There’ll also be a prize for the purchaser of the first lottery ticket.

Amber heat health alert this weekend

The Met Office has issued an amber heat health alert for the South East, which started at 9am this morning (9 June) and is due to last all weekend until 9am on Monday 12 June.

The Met Office and UK Health Security Agency have changed their adverse weather alerts. The new system focuses more specifically on the health impacts high temperatures could have on the wellbeing of the population as a whole, and in turn its effects on health and social care. The new alerts are yellow, amber and red. 

Amber alerts are issued when the level of heat is likely to impact the whole population - healthy people as well as those who are vulnerable. This means health and social care are likely to experience increased demand as well as infrastructure causing, for example, traffic delays.

If you can, check in on vulnerable family, friends, and neighbours. And remember to keep yourself cool. Heatstroke and heat exhaustion, at the amber level, is a real danger whatever your age. 

For advice on how to keep cool in hot weather, visit the government’s Beat The Heat website. 

World Refill Day - tackling plastic pollution

World Refill Day on Friday 16 June is a global day of action to prevent plastic pollution and help people live with less waste. As we’re becoming more aware of the devastating effect plastic has on our environment, many of us are looking for ways to live more sustainably and to reduce our use single-use plastics.

Make one small change to your everyday routine by reducing your use of single-use plastics. This could be as simple as remembering to pack your reusable water bottle or coffee cup when you're out and about.

Cutting down on single-use plastics doesn't have to stop there. When food shopping, try to buy loose where possible, whether you're buying fruit, veg, nuts or anything else you may find. Also check out the refill shops in our borough, which offer even more products free from single-use plastic packaging.

Bikes for schools - supporting road safety education

They’re loving their new specialist bikes at the Manor Green SEN School in Maidenhead - the latest students in the borough to discover pedal power, as part of our My Travel Choices project.

Our scheme has provided specialist bikes, helmets, equipment, a storage shed and cycle training at the Cannon Lane school, with additional funding from Great Western Railway. The school joins more than 40 others across the borough which have already received similar cycling support in the project.

The aim is to enhance schools’ existing road safety education, give children easy and regular access to bikes to learn how to ride, and control them, as well as foster a lifelong understanding of sustainable travel. Plus, of course, discover the fun and freedom of cycling.

The project has also enabled two older pupils at Manor Green School to gain work experience at the Maidenhead Cycle Hub.

Could you or your loved ones benefit from a call blocker?

If you know a vulnerable person who is regularly receiving scam or nuisance calls you can apply to have a free telephone call blocker device fitted by our Trading Standards team.

To qualify for a call blocker residents need to:

• Live in the Royal Borough
• Regularly received scam and nuisance calls
• Have support needs due to factors such as age, mobility or mental health.

Our Trading Standards team has several call blockers available which it can supply and install. If you, or someone you know, are interested, please email the team to apply or for more information.

Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales visits Windsor Family Hub

We were delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales to Windsor Family Hub this week to meet parents and children who benefit from this essential local service. 

The Princess visited our hub to learn and experience how the centre supports families in the local area. 

During her visit, she met staff, parents and children. She was shown a range of support services, including health visitor sessions, baby massage and a stress management course which are used to support emotional and psychological wellbeing.

We're so proud of the support we provide via our children's services partner Achieving for Children, and our thanks to the team for their ongoing work and Her Royal Highness for the wonderful visit.

Read more here.

New Executive Director of Resources and Chief Finance Officer set to be appointed

Elizabeth Griffiths is set to be appointed the new Executive Director of Resources and Chief Finance Officer at the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead.

Ms Griffiths, currently the Chief Finance Officer and Deputy Chief Executive at West Oxfordshire District Council, has been recommended by the Royal Borough’s Appointment Committee following a national search and rigorous recruitment process.



She is due to join the Royal Borough later this summer on a date to be confirmed, subject to confirmation of her appointment at an extraordinary meeting of Full Council on 27 June. 

In the role, Elizabeth will have overall responsibility for the council’s financial management, contributing to the authority’s strategic direction, as well as leading a directorate that also includes revenues, benefits, libraries, customer services, HR, corporate projects, IT, law and governance. 

Read more in our press release.

Maidenhead and Windsor Town Forums - get involved

You are invited to suggest discussion topics for the next Maidenhead and

Windsor Town Forum meetings.

To submit topics for discussion at Maidenhead Town Forum on Monday 17 July and Windsor Town Forum on Tuesday 18 July, and to find out how you can attend and speak at a meeting, please email democratic.services@rbwm.gov.uk.

Royal Borough Community Spotlight

Here are just some of the upcoming community events in the Royal Borough:

• Royal Windsor Flower Show (Saturday 10 June, 10am to 6pm) – Windsor Great Park. The Royal Windsor Flower Show returns with inspiring showcase gardens, fabulous nurseries, incredible speakers and Honorary President Alan Titchmarsh. A wonderful day out for all the family with horticultural, craft and cooking competitions for all ages and abilities. Learn more and book tickets on the show's website.

• Reading Phoenix Choir concert: Hope For Tomorrow (Saturday 10 June, 7.30pm) - High St Methodist Church, Maidenhead. The church is delighted to welcome the fantastic Reading Phoenix Choir for a special concert with a mixed programme of music to suit a wide range of tastes. Tickets £15 for adults and £3 for under-16s. For tickets and more information, visit the website.

• Changing Earth Art Festival (Saturday 10 June and Sunday 11 June, 10am to 5pm) - Sir Bernard Miller Centre, Odney Club, Cookham. Come and join WildCookham to learn about our global wildlife with fun, interactive activities, music and hear the powerful stories behind the art from more than 90 artists. Entry is free and for more information visit the festival website where you can also view the workshop timetable and book a place.

• St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Summer Fair (Saturday 17 June, 2pm to 5pm) – Cookham Road, Maidenhead. A great family event, lots of great games and lovely crafts, a bouncy castle, a bar, food & lots more. Entry is free. 

• Maidenhead Lions Duck Derby (Sunday 18 June, 1pm to 5pm) - Ray Mill Island on the Thames below Boulters Lock. This popular event has a wide variety of stalls and local organisations offering goods for sale and games of chance. Activities will include face painting, storytelling for children and the Lions fun train, giving rides around the island. The duck race will be started by the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead at 4.30pm. Tickets for the duck race will be on sale on the day at £1 each with a top cash prize of £250.

• Woodlands Park Summer Fair (Saturday 24 June, 1pm to 4pm) – Phipps Close Green, SL6 3XD. Housing Solutions and a range of local partners are holding their annual summer fayre. Perfect for the whole family with tea and cakes, stalls and games. 

• Holyport CE Primary School Summer Fair (Saturday 24 June, 11am to 3pm) - Stroud Farm Road, Holyport, SL6 2LP. Rides, BBQ, beer tent, face painting, interactive kickboxing demo, family games, market stalls, tombola, ice cream. Free admission - all welcome.

• The Royal Free Singers (Saturday 24 June, 7pm) present an evening of Summertime - Gershwin, Porter and more at Windsor Parish Church. More information and tickets at the Royal Free Singers website or from Royal Windsor Information Centre, Windsor Guildhall. 

• Rotary Club of Windsor & Eton Annual Summer Fayre and Duck Race (Saturday, 24 June 2023, 11am) - Alexandra Gardens, Windsor. The day will feature a children’s fun fair, a market village with more than 30 artisan and local charity stalls, fresh cooked food stands, bar, and live music. Members of the Armed Forces will also have stands. The afternoon sees the duck race with up to 2,000 plastic ducks racing down the Thames. Race tickets will be on sale at the fayre.

• Celebrating 150 years of serving the Workhouse, the Hospital and the local community (Saturday 24 June) - St Mark’s Church in the St Mark’s Hospital grounds. The church will be open from 11am to 3pm for visitors to find out more about its history. There will be refreshments and activities for children. Sunday 25 June, 11am - Thanksgiving service and dedication led by Bishop, Tim Wambunya, after which the church will again be open for visitors until 3pm.

• Cantorum Choir (Sunday 25 June 3pm) - Michael’s Church, Bray SL6 2AB. The choir will be singing Will Todd’s Mass in Blue, accompanied by the jazz pianist David Gordon and the soprano soloist Sara Davey. More information and tickets available from the choir's website.

• Eton College Gardens  (Tuesday 4 July, from noon to 4.30pm) - Eton College Gardens, Eton, SL4 6DB. As well as seeing the gardens of the Provost, Vice Provost and Head Master, you will be able to enjoy tea and delicious home-made cakes provided and served by supporters of Thames Hospice. All money taken from teas and cakes will go to Thames Hospice. For more information visit the National Garden Scheme website.

• Maidenhead Festival (22 and 23 July) - Kidwells Park, Maidenhead. The family-focused two day event will feature live music, fairground, stalls and side shows. Saturday night will see Taylor Swift and ABBA tribute acts headlining, and on Sunday, a George Michael tribute act and A Million Dreams. Free fireworks display on Saturday night. Admission is free over the weekend, charges will apply to refreshments and some activities. 

• Nature’s Haven is creating a community healing garden and is inviting volunteers to gain practical gardening experience. Sessions run every Thursday, 5.30pm to 7.30pm, and Saturday, 10am to midday, at The Community Centre, 4 Marlow Road, Maidenhead, SL6 7HY. Fully accessible and parking available. Learn more by visiting the website.

• Family drop-in sessions – Want time to chill and meet friends, with a space to play and enjoy craft activities with other families? Re:Charge family drop-in sessions run from 10am to 2pm every Tuesday at Larchfield Community Centre, Maidenhead and every Thursdays at Wesley Hall, High Street Methodist Church, Maidenhead. Admission is £1.50 per family, and hot drinks and snacks are available. Learn more on the Re:Charge Maidenhead Facebook page.

If you have an upcoming not-for-profit community event or activity you’d like to promote in this newsletter, simply send basic information about your event to communications@rbwm.gov.uk and it could be shared with more than 21,000 local residents.

You just need to include a brief description, when and where it takes place, and a link to a website/social media page/contact where people can find out more.

Local Travel Updates

Planned engineering works are taking place on the South Western Railway network this weekend, Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 June.

The lines between Aldershot and Ascot will be closed all weekend due to maintenance work, with replacement buses running. For more information, please visit the SWR website.

For details of council works on highways, visit our website. For full local roadwork details, including work by utility firms, please visit the One Network website.

Keep in touch

Keep up to date with news and information from the council by signing up to Nextdoor and following us on Twitter and Facebook.

Other accounts you may be interested in:

• Royal Borough official tourism web page.  
• Libraries on Facebook and Twitter.
• Windsor & Royal Borough Museum web page.
• MyRoyalBorough on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
• Make Maidenhead on Twitter and Facebook.