Grants of nearly £150,000 awarded to support health and wellbeing in Reading

Community organisations in Reading have been awarded a total of £148,150 through the Better Care Fund. The funding will help local people access health advice, practical support and activities that improve wellbeing.

The grants are part of the council’s work to help residents stay healthy, independent and connected to their communities.

The funding will support a wide range of activities, including:

• Reducing loneliness through community groups, events and social activities
• Building confidence through classes such as self-defence and tai chi
• Helping people become more active through walking groups, football sessions and other exercise programmes
• Improving mobility with activities such as chair yoga and adapted gym sessions
• Teaching practical skills including cooking, gardening and hairdressing
• Providing essential items such as clothing and household goods

Organisations receiving funding

Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality (ACRE)

ACRE will deliver its Keeping Well programme and digital health support for people facing challenges such as loneliness, low confidence, language barriers, limited access to technology and wider health inequalities.

Get Berkshire Active

The Ever Active Reading programme will provide weekly community-based physical activity and wellbeing sessions for older people and residents living with long-term health conditions.

Healthwatch Reading

The Men Can Care project will help identify and support unpaid male carers. The programme will improve access to advice and support, reduce isolation and create a network for male carers across Reading.

Launchpad Reading

Launchpad will provide health and wellbeing support for adults experiencing loneliness, poor mental health, long-term health conditions, disability or homelessness. The project will also offer access to laundry and shower facilities.

Parenting Special Children

The organisation will offer a helpline, one-to-one support, monthly groups and family events for families of children with special educational needs and disabilities. The project will also support ethnically diverse communities and mothers affected by domestic abuse.

Reading Gateway Church

A parish nursing and wellbeing service in South Reading will support older people, unpaid carers and residents with long-term conditions or disabilities. The service will include home visits, nursing support and bereavement sessions.

Sport in Mind

Sport in Mind will expand its free wellbeing programme, offering activities including walking, football, yoga and tai chi. The project will focus on supporting people experiencing mental health challenges.

The Cowshed

The Cowshed’s referral project will provide essential items such as clothing, bedding, household goods and hygiene products to residents in need, helping people live independently and return home safely after hospital stays.

Torch Help Hub

Torch Help Hub will expand its parish nursing service in Coley and Southcote. The project will include home visits, healthy cooking sessions, seated exercise classes, health education and bereavement support.

Utulivu Women’s Group

The Midlife Matters programme will provide health and wellbeing sessions for women in midlife, with a focus on reaching ethnically diverse communities, older residents, unpaid carers and people living with long-term health conditions.

Together, these projects will provide practical help, social connections and wellbeing support for hundreds of Reading residents, helping people lead healthier and more independent lives.

Councillor Rachel Eden, Lead Councillor for Education and Public Health said:

“Supporting people’s physical and mental health works best when the Council, our community partners and residents work together.

“Reading has brilliant community and voluntary organisations that know their communities, have built trusted relationships and understand the support people need.

“I’m really pleased that the Council is once again investing in ten of these vital organisations. This funding will help us reach people who need support and give our partners the opportunity to build on what they already do so well.

“By working together to help people stay mentally and physically well, we can support more residents to live independently and stay connected to their communities.”