At this time of year, with cold weather, dark evenings and gloomy days, a warm, welcoming smile, and a cup of warm tea or coffee can go a long way… It is a time many people feel isolated and low, with credit card bills being the icing on the cake!!
Come and join in, it needn’t cost anything, help and advice are available, and a warm smile and friendly conversation may be just what you need.
We have teamed up with the recently re-launched Health Hub, hopefully to mutual benefit for everyone, in launching Coffee & Company. A drop-in for anyone who wishes to drop in, either whilst visiting Health Hub or independently. Our amazing Pastoral Care team will be on hand, and NHS Social Prescribing, who are a regular in Health Hub will be available to help support residents.
We are very aware at this time of year people can become a bit socially isolated, and hopefully this warm friendly service will be a benefit.
If you are suffering with any degree of loneliness, feel free to reach out, or call in to any of our sessions, or Health Hub, the first step is the hardest, but also the most rewarding.
We have teamed up with the recently re-launched Health Hub, hopefully to mutual benefit for everyone, in launching Coffee & Company. A drop-in for anyone who wishes to drop in, either whilst visiting Health Hub or independently. Our amazing Pastoral Care team will be on hand, and NHS Social Prescribing, who are a regular in Health Hub will be available to help support residents.
We are very aware at this time of year people can become a bit socially isolated, and hopefully this warm friendly service will be a benefit.
If you are suffering with any degree of loneliness, feel free to reach out, or call in to any of our sessions, or Health Hub, the first step is the hardest, but also the most rewarding.
Christmas is a time of togetherness and sharing, we would ask you all to think of others, spread the joy and to have a wonderful Christmas.
You should have received this guide through your door in the last few weeks, as we have arranged delivery to every household in Wraysbury & Horton.
We would like to thank The Wraysbury Parochial Charities for their support of this campaign.
Stop-Think-Check
1. It is a Proven Community Model – “STOP – THINK – CHECK”
Adapted from the UK’s Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign (backed by the Home Office, UK Finance, and police).
Simple message for posters, leaflets, talks:
STOP – Never act on the spot.
THINK – Could this be fake? Scammers make things seem urgent.
CHECK – Call a trusted number, ask a friend or family member, or check with your bank/company directly.
Why it works:
• It’s short enough to remember.
• It applies to phone calls, texts, emails, doorstep visits, and even social media scams.
• It shifts the default from “Yes” to “Let me check first”.
⸻
2. Recognisable Red Flags
Even without knowing the scam, certain features are common to almost all of them:
• Unsolicited contact (you didn’t ask for it).
• Pressure/urgency (“Do this now or you’ll lose money/go to jail”).
• Requests for secrecy (“Don’t tell anyone, it will ruin the surprise”).
• Payment in unusual ways (gift cards, cryptocurrency, bank transfer to a new account).
• Requests for personal or banking details.
If it has any of these — STOP – THINK – CHECK.
SCAM SHIELD – Protect Yourself in 3 Steps
STOP – THINK – CHECK
STOP – If it’s unexpected, pause. Don’t click, don’t give details, don’t pay.
THINK – Could this be fake? Scammers make things seem urgent.
CHECK – Use a trusted number or website. Ask a friend, family member, or us.
⸻
Red Flags – If you spot one, stop
• Contact out of the blue (phone, text, email, doorstep).
• Urgent action needed (“Pay now or lose access”).
• Requests for secrecy (“Don’t tell anyone”).
• Payment by gift cards, bank transfer, or cryptocurrency.
• Asking for personal/banking details.
Remember:
• No bank, police, or council will ever ask for PINs or to move your money.
• If you feel rushed – it’s probably a scam.
• Hang up, close the door, delete the message – then check with someone you trust.
If you haven’t seen our Help & Support Portal in action, here’s a general overview of how it can provide assistance and sign posting for Wraysbury & Horton residents, with an emphasis on how information is sourced and verified. (Largely in the words of the portal)
What this portal offers
How we verify information
Subject areas covered (with typical official sources)
Our Trusted Support Portal is our own creation, powered by AI to look up and compile a suitable response to your needs. It is UK-focused, and wherever possible, uses trusted official sources, like:
GOV.UK
NHS.uk
NICE
Cochrane
PubMed
Citizens Advice
Shelter.org.uk
Turn2Us
Age UK (ageuk.org.uk)
Pohwer.net
Neighbourhood Watch (ourwatch.org.uk)
theadvocacyproject.org.uk
MoneyHelper.org.uk
Local council websites
RBWM (Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead)
As you can see, it is not only our desire to give good, trustworthy information and sign-posting, the Portal itself is programmed specifically for us, by us, to do so.
If you want assistance, need help, or want support, come and see us.
NB: This service is only available during our Face-to-Face sessions. A trained volunteer will use the portal and their experience to ensure the question is framed to elicit the most useful response.
We can email you a full copy of the question and response, plus the name of the volunteer who assisted you. We can usually print this information too, if you don’t have a printer or email.
NB. We log all activity on the portal but do not record the enquirer’s name or any other details.
