NEWS TEAM
Feb 78 min
Community wellness outreach project
The Reading Community Wellbeing Outreach (CWO) partnership project will run in Reading to the end of March 2025. The partnership is funded by the Integrated Care Board (ICB) to pilot outreach activities to reduce health inequalities for our most vulnerable communities. The programme is open to all, but people at risk of developing cardiovascular conditions are a priority.
Dates:
2 February 2024
Friar Street RG1 1EH
1.00 pm - 4.00 pm
7 February 2024
110 Amersham Road RG4 5NA
12.00 pm - 5.30 pm
13 February 2024
140 Wensley Road RG1 6DW
10.00 am - 2.00 pm
14 February 2024
By Appointment Only - Reading Community Learning Centre
94 London Street RG1 4SJ
10.00 am - 2.00 pm
16 February 2024
By Appointment Only - The Forgotten British Gurkha Centre
6 Queens Walk RG1 7QF
10.00 am - 3.30 pm
17 February 2024
South Reading Community Hub/WCDA
252 Northumberland Avenue RG2 7QA
9.00 am - 12.00 pm
20 February 2024
Coronation Square RG30 3BA
9.00 am - 12.00 pm
21 February 2024
South Reading Community Hub/WCDA
252 Northumberland Avenue RG2 7QA
9.30 am - 2.30 pm
To find out more click here.
Female genital mutilation awareness through the leans of women’s health.
Online conversation via Microsoft teams
Thursday 8th Feb 2024 at 11.30 am to 1.00pm
Meting ID 767 479 2806
Password 689916
For any questions contact admin@utulivu.co.uk
Thursday 8th February 2024, 1pm -4pm Council Chamber, Civic Office, Reading RG1 2LU
Come along and find out about services supporting Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Reading where you will have the opportunity to:
• Get information & advice
• Learn about support for Housing, Benefits & Employment, Health & Wellbeing, Education & Family Services, Practical Support & Befriending
Refreshments will be provided.
Reading Coffee Morning Saturday 3rd February 11am to 1pm Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BQ.
Come along to this friendly information hub and meet new people over a free cuppa, no need to book. Find out about local organisations, events and services. Find us on Reading Libraries Twitter, Facebook and whatsonreading.com.
For mroe information visit What's On at Reading Libraries | What's On Reading (whatsonreading.com)
CPD-accredited Very Brief Advice Stop Smoking Training for those who come into contact with smokers to confidently ask smoking status, advise on local support and refer to Somefreelife Berkshire.
Wednesday 7th February 2024 - 10am - 11am
Friday 23rd February 2024 - 12pm - 1pm
Tuesday 5th March 2024 - 10am - 11am
Friday 22nd March 2024 - 12pm - 1pm
To book your place contact Smokefreelife.berkshire@nhs.net
or call 0800 622 6360 / 0118 449 2026
5 weeks of free creative writing workshops
1st, 8th and 15th February
2:30pm - 4:00pm
Reading Central Library, RG1 3BQ
To book your place or for more information email readingcos@together-uk.org
Everyone is welcome!
HELPING ATHLETES ACHIEVE THEIR POTENTIAL
The GLL Sport Foundation is now accepting applications to support athletes across the UK. Find out more and apply online at gllsportfoundation.org.
Applicatins are open until 20th February 2024.
All invited to the
FREE Health Education Event on Cancer
Mini Health checks will also be provided
On 21st February, 2024; Time: 1.00 pm
Venue: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints
280, The Mead Way, Reading RG30 4PE
Clicke here for more information
Thursday 22 February 2024
3pm til 7pm
Katesgrove Commuinty Hub, Elgar Road, Reading RG2 0BN
Reading Youth Justice Service
Reconnect Team
Child Exploitation and Missing Team
Please come along and see our new space and what we offer.
There is some parking at the Hub and some free parking in the streets nearby
St David’s day celebration concert by the South Wales Male choir to be held at St Nicolas church, Newbury, RG14 5HG on
Saturday 2nd March 2024, 7pm
Tickets available from The Corn Exchange, Market Place, Newbury.
The Reader is a charity that uses the power of literature and reading aloud to transform lives.
Our volunteers and staff bring people together to read great stories and poems - creating powerful moments of connection. We call this Shared Reading.
Every Monday at 10.15am to 11.45am Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, RG1 3BQ
To find out more email info@readinglibraries.org.uk
Starting in March 2024, a new pilot will see Mental Health First Aid training offered to carers, friends and family members of people accessing Berkshire's Mental Health Services.
In person training
Location: London House, Bracknell, RG12 2UT
Dates: 18th March 2024 and 19th March 2024
Online training
Location: You will need access to an internet-enabled device. This training will take place over Zoom.
Dates: 16th April 2024 and 24th April 2024.
To find out more and book for a session click here. Places are limited and assigned on a first come bases.
ACRE, in partnership with the RBC Public Health Team, has resumed the Community Health Champions (CHC) Project and is now well underway.
The project is all about local people who care about the health and wellbeing of their community. They are residents of Reading who come from all different backgrounds and share the experiences of their own communities with health and wellbeing services.
It is a voluntary role and if you or anyone in your organisation is passionate and interested in supporting your community watch this video (Ctrl + click the link below).
https://youtube.com/@communityhealthchampionsrdg?si=f12XuvuzLdvdpt8T
To register to become a CHC click here
Click here for the latest Alana House Group leaflet for January – March 2024. Alana House groups are open only to current service users. To make a referral into Alana House, you can use our website: Refer a client to Alana House - PACT (pactcharity.org)
The Art of Giving designs and produces art in the form of meaningful words and imagery about life and mental health which are in the community such as NHS waiting areas and staff rooms as well as delivering talks to help you capture and keep life’s memories alive. To find out more click here.
Call 999 from a mobile
If you don't speak or answer questions, press 55 when prompted and your call will be transferred to the police. Pressing 55 only works on mobiles and doesn't allow the police to track your location. If you don't press 55 your call will be ended.
Call 999 from a landline
If you don't speak or answer questions and the operator can only hear background noise, they'll transfer your call to the police.
If you replace the handset, the landline may remain connected for 45 seconds in case you pick it up again.
Calling 999 from a landline automatically gives the police information about your location.
BRAVE stands for Building Resilience and Valuing Emotions
This NHS service provides therapeutic support for adults of all genders across Berkshire who have experienced domestic abuse emotional difficulties following this abuse.
To use BRAVE, individuals must be:
registered with a GP in Berkshire
living away from the alleged perpetrator of their abuse
not currently engaging in other forms of therapy.
A support worker, social worker, or mental health professional can:
email BRAVE@berkshire.nhs.uk to discuss whether the service could be helpful for you.
make a referral by downloading the referral form on the BRAVE website and email it to the BRAVE email address.
Since its launch in 2004, the Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) has supported over 31,000 people and written off over £91 million worth of illegal debt, securing over 410 prosecutions for illegal money lending.
Its Christmas campaign for 2023 is urging families to #ShopSmartNotShark and not to resort to illegal lenders if money is tight and consider safer options such as credit unions.
Anyone who has been affected by illegal money lending should call the Stop Loan Sharks 24/7 Helpline on 0300 555 2222 or access support online at www.stoploansharks.co.uk. Live Chat is available on the website from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Reading residents on low incomes who may be struggling to make ends meet during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis may be eligible to apply for a payment of £125 from the council through the Household Support Fund. Find out more and apply at www.reading.gov.uk/household-support-fund.
You may be eligible for benefits, discounts and/or energy efficiency improvements to help with heating costs.
The council can provide general energy saving advice to help you and your household stay safe and warm through winter. The service is available to owner occupied, private, council and housing association residents. Please call 0118 937 3747
https://www.reading.gov.uk/housing/benefits-and-assistance/winter-watch/
Heat your home to a temperature that is comfortable for you. Low indoor temperatures can have a serious impact on your health, especially if you have medical conditions or are older.
Simple changes can help to keep you and your home warm. These include:
try to heat rooms you spend a lot of time in, such as the living room or bedroom, to at least 18°C
try to reduce draughts; you can fit draft excluders around doors cheaply
keep your bedroom windows closed at night
wear several layers of thinner clothing; this could keep you warmer than one thicker layer
AgeUK have also shared practical advice on preparing for bad weather:
Telephone 105. Remember the number 105, which is a free number, to find information during a power cut.
Make sure you have everything you need. Check you’ve got enough medication and food in case it’s harder to leave the house. A bottle of water could be handy if the water supply is interrupted.
Have torches handy around the home in case of a power cut. And some spare batteries too.
For more information and guidance visit Keeping warm and well: staying safe in cold weather - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Meadway Sports Centre is opening up the upstairs studio space:
Wednesday's 12:30 - 14:30 for you to come and have a complimentary hot drink, socialise and play board games
Thursday's 10:00 - 12:00 for you to come and have a complimentary hot drink, socialise and entertain your young children with our soft play activity.
Additionally, during these times you'll be able to use the WiFi and access the showers.
https://www.warmwelcome.uk/space?l=23659
For more warm spaces in Reading visit https://www.reading.gov.uk/housing/money-matters/warm-spaces-in-reading/
Click on the links below to have your say and contribute your views and ideas to the development of local services and initiatives:
The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust are on the New Hospital Programme and will receive significant investment for a new hospital. Click here to give your thoughts on what would be important to you in a new site.
Healthcare and wellbeing information page for Refugees and Asylum seekers
What carers can expect from their GP practice?
Embrace Community Care Service Limited
CALM - Campaign Against Living Miserably
Through winter's chill, Together we heal: Strengthening Mental Health
Regular drop-in Social Sessions include:
Coffee and Chat, Tuesdays at the Biscuit Factory 11:00 - 12:30
Walk-Talk-Walk, Fridays in Palmer Park 10.30-11.30
Participants can register for workshops via our online form: Compass Registration Form (Page 1 of 10) (office.com). Please feel free to support them in registering, or they can:
Call or email us on 01189373945 or compass.opportunities@reading.gov.uk
Many people struggle financially, sometimes this is because of a change in circumstances. If you are struggling, it’s important you get the help you need.
To find out how you can get help and support locally, please visit https://www.reading.gov.uk/housing/money-matters/
Topics covered include:
Struggling to pay your rent
Help with energy costs
Help with food costs
Struggling with your mortgage payments
Money advice
...and more
Find out more about the range of government support with the cost of living, including Pension Credit and Cold Weather Payments at gov.uk/helpforhouseholds
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Page last reviewed: 05/02/2024
fis@reading.gov.uk0118 937 3777 OPTION 2
localoffer@reading.gov.uk0118 937 3777 OPTION 2
CSAAdvice.Signposting@reading.gov.uk0118 937 3747