In this week's column, councillor Paul Bettison OBE, the leader of Bracknell Forest Council, signposts support schemes people in the area can benefit from, and also calls to mind the end of LGBTQ+ History Month. Cllr Bettison writes:

Hello to everyone across Bracknell Forest. I hope you all had a relaxing half-term, even if it can often be more hectic than being at work.

This week, I wanted to remind residents of some of the financial support available to eligible families. The Household Support Fund is dedicated to supporting low-income households, particularly in relation to food costs and essential bills. This funding has been provided by the Department of Work and Pensions and is open for applications until Friday, 24 March 2023.

In Bracknell Forest, you can apply for help through the Local Welfare Scheme. This application-based support is particularly for those who do not automatically qualify for other cost of living support schemes. It offers support for basic living costs and the cost of essential items to help you remain in your home.

The Local Welfare Scheme can help with a variety of things, including energy costs and basic essentials. More information on assessment and eligibility criteria can be found on the council’s Local Welfare Scheme webpages.

The Everyone Active Bracknell Sporting Champions scheme is now open for the seventh year.

The scheme helps thousands of athletes to achieve their sporting potential by providing free access to facilities across the country, including Bracknell Leisure Centre and Downshire Golf Complex.

Aspiring athletes can now apply for the scheme until Monday, 13 March by visiting the sporting champions website.

The scheme’s impressive line-up of decorated Olympians and Paralympians includes Lutalo Muhammad, Jennifer and Jessica Gadirova, Richard Kilty, Lauren Steadman, Kadeena Cox and Maisie Summers-Newton, who will continue to provide their expertise, mentoring and support to athletes accepted on the scheme this year.

Sporting Champions will also receive free unlimited access to the Everyone on Demand app, providing them with more than 500,000 at-home workouts from leading fitness brands, including WithU, Flex and Les Mills on Demand.

Finally, this is the last time I will write to you before a couple of notable events: the end of LGBT+ History Month and the one-year anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine. Though very different, the two events speak to a changing, more inclusive borough. We are greatly enriched by the influence of both communities and 2023 will bring many great occasions celebrating this influence in Bracknell Forest. Just watch this space.

Until then though, I wish everyone a lovely week ahead.