Community Wellbeing Newsletter - Latest Updates April 2024

Community Wellness Outreach

The Reading Community Wellbeing Outreach (CWO) partnership project will run in Reading to the end of June 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. For further information clcik here. If you have any questions please call  0118 304 8841.

Dates, Times and Locations:

  • Thursday 30th April 2024- ACRE344 Oxford Road RG30 1AF10.00 am - 2.00 pm

  • Friday 3rd May 2024- The AtriumFriar Street RG1 1EH1.00 pm - 4.00 pm

  • Thursday 9th May 2024- ACRE 344 Oxford Road RG30 1AF9.00 am - 1.00 pm

Mental Health First Aid Training available for Carers

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.

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 note spaces are limited and assigned on a first come bases.

Sensory inclusive supermarket

Tuesday 23rd April 2024, 1.45pm to 5.45pm, Meadow suit, Park House, University of Reading and online from 2pm to 4.15pm

Please join the launch of a new guide to help supermarkets to become more inclusive for autistic people. The guid contains information and tips to support autistic shoppers and employees, and is designed for anyone who works for supermarkets.

For more information and booking clicke here

Or email: supermarketguide@reading.ac.uk

Live Longer Better: Can we End PJ Paralysis in Berkshire and make bed rest a thing of the past? Webinar

Tuesday 23rd April 2024 from 1300 to 1500.

During this online webinar, our mission is to bring healthcare professionals together to share existing work in this area and explore ideas on how we can support each other to make further progress and revolutionise how we enable individuals to take charge of their physical and mental health, encouraging and empowering Berkshire residents to 'Live Longer Better'! For more information and registration details click here. 

Welcome to Reading Coffee Mornings 

Reading Coffee Morning Saturday 27th April 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) 

 

Wellbeing Sessions

Reading Weekly Seated Exercise and wellbeing Program with GBA

Led by qualified instructors these chair-based sessions are perfect for gently rebuilding your strength, suppleness, skill and stamina and more importantly, provide an opportunity to reconnect and socialise with others. Click here to find out more.

Call or email Kate to book or for more info email kate.wiggins@getberkshireactive.org or call 07706357801.

Reconditioning Program

GBA work in partnership with Age UK Berkshire to deliver this (Reading only) programme. We offer an average of four to six 1-2-1 at home personal training sessions designed to improve strength, stamina, general mobility and confidence in older adults who are living with low mobility and require a personalised programme to help improve their overall strength and gain confidence to live an independent life. For more infomration click here.

Tuesday 23rd April 2024 – FREE Online Ageing Well webinar with GBA.

On Tuesday 23rd April, GBA will be hosting a FREE online ageing well webinar between 13.00 – 15.00.

The topic on this occasion will be ‘PJ Paralysis’ and how we, GBA, can support our local health and Adult Social Care teams to enable older individuals to remain active while in hospital and during their recovery time at home to help eliminate the deconditioning associated with long hospital stays and bed rest.

If you would like more information on how to attend this webinar contact kate.wiggins@getberkshireactive.org

Get Berkshire Active's Women and Girls Wellness Series Webinar - Pregnancy and Postnatal

Tuesday 7th May, 1300-1500

Get Berkshire Active are pleased to announce their 2nd Webinar as part of their 2024 Women and Girls Wellness Series.

The FREE online webinar will take place on Tuesday 7th May, 1300-1500 and will focus on Pregnancy and Postnatal. 

For more information and how to register click here.

Refugee and Asylum Seeker event

Tuesday 21st May 2024 from 2PM-4PM, Council Chamber, Ground Floor, Civic Offices, Bridge St, Reading RG1 2LU

Information event for Refugees and Asylum seekers in Reading, all welcome! 

Suicide First Aid for voluntary sector partners and grassroot communities

Learn first aid skills in having a conversation with someone who needs to stay safe from suicide, someone who is thinking about ending their own life.

To find out more and to book your place, please click here

Friends, Family & Carers Handbook

The latest version of the Frinds Family and Carers Handbook can be found here. This handbook is for anyone who cares for someone who is receiving care and treatment from Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. A carer can be a family member or friend of any age. You might be living with the person you support or providing support from a distance.

  

Household Support Fund open for applications

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.

 

Have your say!

Click on the links below to have your say and contribute your views and ideas to the development of local services and initiatives:

Consultation on how the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service responds to Automatic Fire Alarms, click here to give your views on the proposed plans. Deadline: 13 May 2024

Preparing for Adulthood Policy (Children Services to Adult Social Care)

Click here to give your views on the proposed policy.  Deadline: 18 May 2024

 

Reading Services Guide updates

Reading Community Outreach Plus! Together for Mental Wellbeing

New activities at the Weller Centre:

Healthcare and wellbeing information page for Refugees and Asylum seekers

What carers can expect from their GP practice?

 

Compass Recovery College 

Please find an updated prospectus and shedual for Compass recovery collage for April- June

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:

 

Support for victims of domestic abuse

How to make a silent 999 call

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.

Stop Loan Sharks

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.

 

Cost of living - Money matters

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: 19/04/2024

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