On 17th November 2022, BCF’s Community Impact Officer, Viviana Salmon, met Emma Cantrell, CEO and Founder of the First Days Children’s Charity, to see first-hand their new Elevate Centre, and learn how they support low-income families, struggling with the cost of living in Wokingham.

Emma is a social justice campaigner, influencer and organiser. She leads the charity with relentless passion for the families supported. She helped fund First Days in 2013 but since then, the charity has grown rapidly. At the start of 2022, Wokingham Borough Council gave the three-floor old Police building to the charity, which they have converted into The Elevate Centre.

The Elevate Centre is a space where low-income families struggling with the increase of cost of living can find support in different areas such as:

Free access to clean, new and second-hand school uniforms.
Free winter clothing for families.
Free new Christmas Toys,
Family support and advice.
Free access to a warm space where families can connect with a soft toy area for toddlers and free tea and coffee.
Arts and crafts area for families.
Community kitchen.
Social area – which has been used by Ukrainian refugees meeting new families.

Emma’s motivation and achievements are impressive. The Elevate Centre receives support from Wokingham Borough, local people and other corporate partners. Whilst visiting the Centre, there were a group of eight volunteers who were arranging the toys, donated clothing and helping with restoration of the building.

First Days runs several projects thorough the year, such as a Digital Inclusion programme, Confidence at School, Warmer Winter, Ukraine Appeal, Party Hire, Toy Library, Household Support Fund and Christmas 2022.