Employment Opportunity with No5 Counselling

No5 are seeking an Outreach and Wellbeing Support to work for our Operations and Relationships Manager. The main purpose of this role is to proactively engage with young people, and partner organisations, to co-design and deliver activities that support and promote young people’s mental health, and assist and support our Operations and Relationships Manager in developing projects, acquiring funding for delivery, and supporting general administration. For information please visit: Join our Team! - No5 - Free Counselling Services - Reading | No5 - Free Counselling Services - Reading

Welcome to Reading Coffee Morning

Saturday 11th November 2023, 11am  - 1pm

Reading Central Library, Abbey Square Reading RG1 3BQ

Friendly information hub to meet new people over a free cuppa.  No need to book.

Meet the Crown Prosecution Service

Friday 17th November 2023 10.30 am – 12 noon

• Have you ever wondered what the Crown Prosecution Service does?
• Would you like to find out more about who we are and how we make our charging decisions on criminal cases?

Join the Community Conversation.  Places are limited.

If you are interested in attending , please e-mail: thameschiltern.inclusion@cps.gov.uk or telephone: 0118 959 4242

The venue is central Reading.

International Men's Day 2023

Saturday 18th November 1-4pm

Everyone is welcome to attend this event to celebrate men and discuss men's health.

Learn more about the We Men Group and join a discussion on Zero Male Suicide.

ACRE, 344 Oxford Road, RG30 1AF

For more information, email: info@acre-reading.org

Carers Rights Day 2023 Invitation to unpaid carers 

Meet staff from the Reading and West Berkshire Carers Partnership

Wednesday 22 November 2023, 10:30am to 12:30pm

at the Reading Biscuist Factory, Unit 1a, Queen's Walk, RG1 7QE 

- on the first floor 

FREE coffee, cake and a chat - No need to book.

Carers often say that talking is one of the most important types of help they can get.  Come and have a chat and meet the staff from the local Carers Partnership.

https://carerspartnership.org.uk/

Making Every Contact Count 

Free training for professionals, voluntary sector partners, community groups and volunteers

Making Every Contact Count is a practical approach to short, opportunistic conversations about healthy lifestyles and behaviour to inspire others to think about future behaviour change.  

To book your place visit Personalised Care Training | BOB ICB

Berkshire West mental health grants for children and young people from disadvantaged communities

Deadline: Wednesday 22 November 2023

RVA has been asked to manage a small grants process to deliver wellbeing projects with a focus on inclusion for communities within Berkshire West at risk of experiencing health inequalities.

To find out more and the application form, click here

Are your household details up to date?

Did you know that registering to vote can help you:

• Open a bank account
• Get a mortgage
• Buy a mobile phone
• Get a loan or store card

Don't lose your right to vote.

Reading Borough Council has written to all households, please check your information is correct and respond where necessary.

The deadline is 30 November 2023.

To check if you are registered or to register to vote visit:

Register to vote - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

or call 0118 937 3717

To download the flyer with further details, please click here

BRAVE - support for victims of domestic abuse

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.

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.

Keep your home warm

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)

Warm Welcome Space

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/

Vaccinations

• Book your Flu and/ Or COVID vaccination via the national Booking System – National Booking Service - NHS Digital

• The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS to adults who:

  • are 65 and over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2024)
  • have certain health conditions
  • are pregnant
  • are in long-stay residential care
  • receive a carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
  • live with someone who is more likely to get a severe infection due to a weakened immune system
• The  message from British Islamic Medical Association around Flu Vaccination this year is, you will help protect yourself from the possible severe complications which can be caused by flu. The injectable vaccine DOES NOT contain porcine (pork) derived product and is offered to adults. The nasal spray vaccine (Fluenz Tetra) offered to children DOES contain porcine derived product. Parents can choose which vaccine their child recieves. 

• The MMR vaccination is available to children over the age of one year, older children and adults who have not recieved two doses of the vaccine and pregnant women after the baby is born. Speak to your GP to arrange a vaccine, for more information visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/mmr-vaccine/ 

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:

Reading Transport Strategy 2040 - closing date 11 December 2023

Polling Station Review - closing date 1st December 2023

Reading Services Guide updates

Through winter's chill, Together we heal: Strengthening Mental Health

Compass Recovery College 

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

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