BSL-friendly advice and information on how our services are affected by Coronavirus

Script – June 2021 update

COVID-19 Special Update – A message from Reading Borough Council Leader Jason Brock

  • Extra vaccination programme now open to ALL unvaccinated adults in Reading.
  • Who? People 18 and over, live, work, study in Reading and NOT had any doses of vaccine.
  • Where? Reading Borough Council Civic Offices, Bridge Street RG1 2LU.
  • When? Up until Sunday, 27 June, from 9.30am to 8.30pm each day.
  • Do not need appointment, may need to queue. The queue is outside – bring water/hat/sun cream/umbrella depending on weather.
  • The vaccine given at the clinic is suitable for people under 40 and pregnant women.
  • For first dose only. To book second dose – call 119.
  • If you Covid-19 symptoms have or have had a positive test in 28 days – do not come to vaccine centre.
  • Travel by foot or by bus – easier. Closest parking – Oracle Shopping Centre
  • Please wear mask in the building and If possible – show ID for evidence live, work, study in Reading.
  • If no vaccine – more likely to become ill or go into hospital with COVID-19 Delta variant.
  • In Reading – number of people with COVID-19 Delta variant – increasing.
  • Please have vaccine to protect yourself, family and friends. Thank you. 
  • More information about the extra COVID-19 vaccination service.

COVID-19 Extra testing update

  • Increasing number of people infected with Delta variant Covid-19 in Reading.
  • Delta variant first identified in India. Spreads more easily from person to person.
  • Also increasing number in overall Covid cases – nearly 100 cases per 100,000 people.
  • Hospital admissions – increased – (but lower than in previous periods)
  • Extra testing in Reading been – name what? SURGE TESTING.
  • Surge testing why? – Help to find and isolate as many cases as possible, reduce transmission and keep communities safe.
  • Been when? – Monday 7th June to Saturday 20th June – now finished.
  • Thank you to all who took extra surge test.
  • Brilliant response – over 20,000 people from Reading and Wokingham tested – residents, businesses, students and workers. Helped to find, isolate cases of COVID-19 and slow spread.
  • No extra restrictions on travel and other activities in Reading.
  • Protect yourself and people you love from COVID-19, including Delta variant, how? Get both doses of vaccine.
  • Remember no vaccine is 100% effective – so continue rapid lateral flow tests (LFTs) two times a week at home or community testing centre.

If you need to self-isolate

  • Covid-19 symptoms have? Must self-isolate, you must take a test.
  • Your household must self-isolate.
  • Covid symptoms have? Can book test online, or call 119.
  • If test result positive, you must self-isolate also household self-isolate.
  • Check self-isolate support payment, you may be allowed to receive, see website.
  • You need extra support linked self-isolate? Contact ‘One Reading Community Hub’
  • Find out more on the website.

Reading pubs to show England games only to fans who book in advance

  • Football fans should only come into Reading to watch England’s Euro 2020 matches if booked tickets in advance.
  • Screening of matches reserved for pre-booked tickets only – why? Covid.
  • If want watch England, Wales or Scotland’s games – need to contact venue before and book a space.
  • If just turn up – you will not be able to watch games.
  • If you do not have booking in pub, please watch game at home.

Community and Voluntary groups invited to apply for share of £150k funding

  • Council now launch funding for community & voluntary groups this month. How much? £150,000, split two ‘pots’
  • 1 pot – £100,000. What for? Community activities linked to poverty and support mental wellbeing
  • Aim to help skills, confidence, independence
  • Example could be: sport, music, dance, drama, food growing, cooking and more
  • Organisation group can apply maximum £5k. Two organisation groups work together can apply maximum £10k.
  • 2 pot – £50,000. What for? ‘Clinically Extremely Vulnerable’.
  • Example: community groups stopped through lockdown. Money help start again.
  • Deadline when? Sunday 25th July 2021.
  • More information on small grants fund and restart fund.

Share your home and make a big difference to someone’s life

  • You have spare room in house? Could make difference to someone life. Reading council set up ‘Shared Lives’
  • What? People age over 16 want live independent in community. Family provide support to person, similar to foster care.
  • You want help provide room? Must have own house or rent, prepare to share with person and provide practical and emotional support.
  • Person may have mental health problem, dementia, learning or physical disability – you help to live independent.
  • You receive training and payment. Person might stay long term or short term.
  • No qualification or experience need, your home situation no matter.
  • You feel want help provide to person? Get in touch ‘Shared Lives’ sharedlives@reading.gov.uk

Reading residents’ views sought on Highways and Transport

  • Over 3000 residents will be asked for their views on council’s highways and transport services.
  • When? – over next few weeks.
  • Includes what? – condition of roads, footpaths and cycling facilities.
  • Why? To contribute towards National Highways and Transport Public Satisfaction Survey.
  • Residents across the country asked same questions.
  • Who? Survey will be sent to Reading residents – selected at random – this will be followed by a reminder.
  • National results will be published in late October 2021.
  • If you receive a copy of survey – encouraged to fill it in. How? Complete the questionnaire on paper or online – link will be printed on front of form.
  • Questionnaire is 12 pages long – about 15 minutes to complete.
  • Results will show what people in Reading think about important services and what the council should prioritise and improve.
  • More information on highways and transport survey.

Reading will never forget The Forbury One Year On

  • Together Reading remembered those died and injured last year June 20th  at Forbury gardens – James Furlong, Joe Ritchie-Bennett and David Wails. One year on, this June 20th council have memorial service. Where? Forbury gardens, 4pm.
  • Who invited to service? Family and friends of victims, those injured, witnesses, emergency services and others invited. Mayor of Reading lead service.
  • Council flag been half mast on 20th June , also 3 lights shine upwards to remember. Residents in Reading been lay flowers.
  • Council encourage everyone donate to ‘Reading Together’ fund. Money towards permanent memorial for victims.
  • More support information need? See Reading Together website

Phase 2 of Reading’s pavement improvement work begins

  • Reading Borough Council investing £9m in residential roads and pavements across area over three years.
  • Investment of £675,000 between now and March 2022 in ‘Pavement and Footway programme’.
  • Why? Results of Citizens Panel survey in November 2018 – over 50% of respondents listed ‘better roads and pavements’ as top of their lists for improvements.
  • What? Pavements in 17 roads in Reading will be improved. Also resurfacing hundreds of roads end to end over three years.
  • Started when? Last year – 64 residential roads resurfaced and 17 pavements improved and resurfaced last winter.
  • Includes planting trees why? to reduce carbon footprint, improve canopy cover and reduce surface water run-off.
  • Two roads – earlier dates for resurface – Northumberland Avenue between Honiton Road and Hartland Road (28 June – 9 July) and remaining full length of Southcote Lane (5 – 16 July)
  • When resurface work happens, roads closed from 8am – 5pm each day.
  • Notice boards will be of displayed at each site approx one week before start of work – residents will receive letter informing them of work.
  • Pavements being resurfaced near your property? Will be able to apply for a discounted vehicle crossing, or dropped kerb, whilst the work happens.
  • These must be requested in advance and satisfy the council’s Vehicle Crossing Policy.
  • Full list of roads for planned improvement this summer.

Exciting Arthur Hill Pool Transformation to Begin

  • What? The exciting change of the Arthur Hill swimming pool site into key worker housing – creating 15 one and two bedroom flats for people providing important services in Reading – rents 80% lower than market value.
  • When? starts 21st June 2021. Demolition work finished next month, building work starting this summer. Finished end of 2022.
  • Front of building and front block being kept – to keep character why? Heritage building, 110 years old and locally listed.
  • Creating environmentally-friendly and low-energy buildings – using ‘Passivhaus’ principles.
  • Aiming for carbon neutral homes – will use triple glazing and air source heat pumps to retain and reuse heat from the buildings and solar panels on roofs. Will help to reduce energy bills for the key worker tenants.
  • Arthur Hill Pool flats – part of major programme of house building by Reading Borough Council.
  • Large investment to deliver over 300 new homes over the next three years.
  • Also two new swimming pool facilities in Reading – 25 metre indoor pools where? Palmer Park and Rivermead. When? Work starts this summer.

Easing of lockdown restrictions delayed

  • Final stage of easing lockdown restrictions in England delayed until 19 July.
  • Original date was 21st June but government decide to delay because covid cases going up.

Reading Deaf Centre Information Officer

  • Remember Reading Deaf Centre has the information officer there to provide access to information, contact details are next.

Useful Links

Coronavirus Restrictions Roadmap 21 June 2021 BSL

If you wish to have information translated in BSL please take part in the survey.

If you need any support or guidance please contact the Information Officer at Reading Deaf Centre, Marie Oxenham-Hall, – readingdeafcentre.co.uk. Contact details: info@readingdeafcentre.co.uk or SMS/Facetime on 07704 687298.

Reduce noise and nuisance

One Reading Community Hub

Hub Support and Volunteer Line 0808 1894325 

Reading Deaf Centre: SMS: 07704 687298

The public is being urged to only contact the Hub if they have urgent welfare needs which a family member or trusted friend or Reading Deaf Centre cannot help them with. This is so that resources can be directed to the people that need it most at this challenging time. All offers of help and support are welcome from individuals, businesses and other organisations. The Hub cannot provide health advice and will direct customers to NHS 111. BSL Access connect https://interpreternow.co.uk/.

Further information on the One Reading Community Hub