Just One Thing - kickstart a positive 2026 in Reading

Once again we want to encourage residents to try Just One Thing during January 2026 - they can embrace new experiences, uncover and remember the town’s hidden gems, enhance wellbeing, and make a positive contribution.

Shifting the focus from traditional New Year's resolutions to forming lasting habits that positively impact residents and the community.

Just One Thing 26 tips for 2026, encourages residents to try simple and achievable ideas, from health and wellbeing to exploring the town's culture and green spaces.

Every day for 26 days from 6 until 31 January a new tip will be posted on Facebook and Instagram.

Tips include:

• Visit Britain’s Bayeux Tapestry at Reading Museum displayed in the specially designed Bayeux Gallery, see Picasso whilst you’re there too! And it’s free.
• Donate plasma, Reading has one of only three plasma donation centres in the UK.
• Learn how to say hello in the three most popular languages spoken after English; Polish, Nepalese and Romanian.
• Visit Reading Repair Café do you have something that’s broken, take it along and they will have a go at fixing it and give some advice about what your best course of action might be.
• Could you tell someone who would benefit from Reading Pantries? Pay £6 per visit and in return can choose groceries worth much more.

Just One Thing also promotes the town’s new and improved leisure facilities and playgrounds, encouraging physical activity.

It’s not about giving up this New Year it’s about trying Just One Thing.

Just One Thing #1 

Paddington – 2026 is also the National Year of reading, you’ve probably seen the films, but have you read the books by Paddington creator Michael Bond? Did you know Michael Bond, grew up, and went to school in Reading – Presentation College now the site of the Wren School and lived on Winser Drive Southcote from 1939 to 1958.

Paddington was inspired by Bond’s memories of seeing children arriving at Reading Station with their suitcases and name tags as they were evacuated during World War Two.

The Paddington books are available in your local library to borrow, if you enjoyed the films why not give the books a read.

Just One Thing #2 

Have a wander along the Oxford Road, the market stalls by the Broad Street Mall and West Street and browse the beautiful fruit and vegetable displays – why not buy a fruit or vegetable you haven’t tried before and try something new?

Just One Thing #3 

Did you commit over Christmas to investigating your family tree/history?

The Royal Berkshire Archives (RBA) on Coley Avenue might be able to help. They hold a wealth of information for the family historian that will help you get past the basic details you can find online.

Visitors can access Ancestry, Find My Past, and the British Newspaper Archive online onsite at the RBA free of charge through their library subscription. Just ask to book a computer when you make your booking. 

And what makes the RBA special is their collection of documents that you won’t find online, and which can also be accessed onsite. Many of these local records will take you further back in time and help you explore your ancestor's stories.

Watch our RBA video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRIYbEyS68w

Find out more about investigating family history on Royal Berkshire Archives website.

Just One Thing #4 

Why not pop along to your local leisure centre to see if there’s an activity for you, from Rivermead pools and soft play, new running track at Palmer Park, Meadway swimming pool penguins and South Reading's indoor and outdoor facilities and lots more, pop along for a tour any time they’re open. 

Find out about leisure centres in Reading.

Just One Thing #5 

Do you know someone with young children or who is pregnant and could benefit from Healthy Start Vouchers? Vitamins, healthy food, and milk vouchers are available for eligible people on benefits. Do your neighbours and friends and family know about them?

Why not tell one person who you think could be eligible about healthy start vouchers.

Just One Thing #6

The start of a new year is often accompanied by feelings of hope. But when you’re grieving, the return of January can sometimes bring difficult emotions with it too.

The ‘Letters to heaven’ post box at Reading Cemetery and Crematorium is for the use of anyone who would like to send a message to someone they’ve lost.

Located on Path Four of the Gardens of Remembrance. Every letter or card put into the memorial post box is treated with the utmost respect and confidentiality when it is emptied, they are stored securely before cremation and are never opened or read.

Letters to Heaven’ post box, donated by Nicola and Will Middleton in loving memory of their baby boy, Leo.

Through Will’s incredible fundraising efforts, Nicola and Will have made this heartfelt addition possible.

Thanks to the Middleton family, this special space is a lasting tribute to their beloved Leo and is now a comforting place for all families to remember their loved ones.

Just One Thing #7 

How well do you know your neighbours? Reading is a wonderfully multi-cultural town; you often hear many different languages out and about. How about learning Hello in the top 3 languages spoken across the borough after English.

The 2021 census information tells us Polish is the most popular language after English and hello is Czesc, Nepalese is the second and hello is Namaste and Romanian is the third most popular language and hello is Salut.

Hear some of our residents say hello: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOiF2LRdT-g

Just One Thing #8 

Reading Repair Café. If it’s broken, take it along and they will have a go at fixing it or give some advice about what your best course of action might be.

The repair cafe is run entirely by volunteers, and anyone can pop in! As well as repairs, you can pop in for a cuppa and homemade cake. Everything is free, but they encourage donations to ensure they can keep running repair cafe in future.

Find out more about Reading Repair Café.

Just One Thing #9 

“When money runs a bit short, this helps a heck of a lot”

Could you tell someone who would benefit from Reading Pantries? Pay £6 per visit and in return you can choose groceries worth much more, there's a wide range of food including fresh fruit and veg, frozen and chilled food, meat and dairy products, and long-life tinned and packaged food.

Watch our Coley Pantry video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQrPKdnBkac

There are nine pantries across Reading.

Find out more about Reading Pantries.

Just One Thing #10 

From Reading FC, over 50s men and women’s walking football, Reading City FC - football has so many benefits from community, wellbeing, and lots more.

Most weekends there’s a game why not go along and support your local football clubs or get involved!

Find out more about walking football on the Berks and Bucks FA website.

Tickets available on Reading Football Club website.

Fixtures at Reading City Football Club.

Just One Thing #11

Did you know Reading has one of only three plasma donation centres in the UK, it’s in Reading Bridge House (next to Hills Meadow Car Park and your parking is reimbursed).

If you pick this as your Just One Thing you could literally save lives! 

Find out more about donating plasma.

Just One Thing #12 

Why not try one of the wellbeing walks, enjoy our parks, rivers and green spaces and discover the town’s rich history.

• Thames and Kennet – an easy-going 5km walk taking in the two rivers with plenty of scenery and wildlife.
• Kennet and Southcote – 9km circular walk along the Kennet and Avon Canal across Southcote meadows and back to the town centre via Prospect Park and west Reading.
• Town centre – 3km circular walk from Reading Town Hall taking in some of the many historic and interesting places within Reading.
• Caversham – 9.5km circular walk from the north side of Reading Station through Caversham and Caversham Heights back to Reading station, via St Peter’s Churchyard and Caversham Court.

Pick up the maps from your local library or download walking maps.

Just One Thing #13

Do you need to do some DIY projects but don’t have the tools? You can borrow probably any tool you need from Reading’s Library of Things, and they can help show you how to use it too. Membership is £25 per year, discounted memberships for those that need it. You can also donate any ‘thing’ you no longer need.

Find out more in our video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-Di9N3B-Oo

Borrow don’t buy! Find out the Library of Things works and what is available

Just One Thing #14

Voted in the top 5 parks in Reading by residents, Palmer Park came in at number 4. There is so much at this East Reading park – have you visited recently?

The Bowling Club: “it’s not just a bowling club it's a social venue and that whole importance of belonging”

Palmer Park Leisure and Stadium with new running track. Palmer Park is also home to the annual National Nepalese football tournament and Tutu’s Ethiopian Café with the highest food hygiene rating.

The park even has a library!

Just One Thing #15 

Pottery, games clubs, learn to play a musical instrument, craft, art, acting and so much more going on locally.

Sign up to What’s On Reading to see what activities and classes are on offer near you.

Just One Thing #16 

Could you be a friend to a young person in foster care in Reading? Take them out just once a month for a few hours. Expenses are paid and you’ll make a huge different to a local young person’s life.

Find out more about volunteering to be a Reconstruct visitor.

.Just One Thing #17

Got a bike? Get it ready for the spring at Reading Bike Hub.

They can help with repairs from a puncture to a full bike service and refurbished bikes for sale.

Workshops teaching bike skills and bike hire coming soon.

The Reading Bike Hub is located 14-16 King Street… for those of us who remember where Mothercare used to be.

Just One Thing #18 

Could you set up an Alexa or Google Assistant for someone who finds technology difficult but could really benefit?

Maybe think about someone in your life who would love to listen to an audio book, set a recurring reminder to take medication, or show them how to play their favourite radio station or tell them the news headlines.

Just One Thing #19 

Find a charity close to you, and find out what they do, you or someone you know might be able to benefit. No pressure to get involved but simply find out about the great work that is going on near you.

You could help look after Reading’s hidden green gems with Nature Nurture  friendly outside monthly volunteering at Holy Brook Nook and The Cowsey Whitley. No experience is needed, just come as you are, enjoy the fresh air, meet new people, and make a difference for wildlife and your local community.

Whether you fancy a gentle bit of pruning and chatting over a cuppa or something more active like clearing paths and caring for wildlife habitats, you’ll be warmly welcomed and supported to join in at your own pace.

Holy Brook Nook, nr Reading town centre: First Thursday of each month, 10am–3pm. Find out about helping out at Holy Brook Nook    

The Cowsey, Whitley: Last Friday of each month, 10am–1pm Find out about helping look after The Cowsey.

💚 More info: info@nature-nurture.co.uk or call 07349 189227 

See what Nature Nurture do at Holy Brook Nook here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LNdjGiNCeM

Just One Thing #20

In the late 19th century, an extremely ambitious project was undertaken by a group of Victorian embroiderers to recreate the Bayeux Tapestry in full, painstakingly reproducing every single detail, stitch-by-stitch, so that the Tapestry's timeless story could be enjoyed by the people of Britain.

Today, this artwork, Britain’s Bayeux Tapestry, is held at Reading Museum and displayed in our specially designed Bayeux Gallery. When you’re next in town why not visit Reading Museum - it’s free (donations very welcome!) and there’s also a Picasso!

Just One Thing #21 

Free courses at New Directions College, which could help you get a job. Could you or someone you know benefit? Why not let them know.

Learn about business, retail or hospitality including food safety, customer service skills.

There are also free courses to help you help your children with maths and help with understanding household bills.

Just One Thing #22

When was the last time you popped into your local library? There are the latest bestsellers in hard copy and audio – you could listen to a book on your phone you’ve wanted to read and go for a walk.

You can also print at your local library, borrow a laptop with data and lots more coming in the next few months including the new central library at the Civic Centre and interactive tables and interactive projected games at your local library.

Find out about Reading libraries.

Just One Thing #23 

There are new playgrounds across the town, why not visit one you haven’t been to this month – there’s still lots of fun to be had in playgrounds even in the winter.

Check out Victoria Park, George Street – are you brave enough for the slide? Westfield Rec’s updated version of the rocking horse which has been loved by generations of children and South Reading skate park with bowled miniramp, with curves designed to progress achieving a figure of eight flowline!

Children really benefit from 60 mins of activity a day and Joe Wicks has more ideas of how to stay and get active.

Just One Thing #24

There are lots of great places to eat out around Reading which have been visited by the council and received the highest (5) food hygiene rating.

From Shed Café in the town centre https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvMLPbC0kCE

DeNata Coffee & Co on the Oxford Rd https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gb36wcUX3EM

Whitington’s Tea Barge on the Thames https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0FPJMTeW2U

Monty’s East Reading https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWl1Npn9X0g

Check out the food hygiene rating of where you’re eating and maybe try somewhere new with the highest food hygiene rating this January.

Just One Thing #25

Jump on a bus and go to a part of Reading you’ve never visited or don’t know very well.

There are wonderful hidden gems from:

Fobney Island Nature Reserve South Reading https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_DH1ZFYdcc

great walk from Island Road around the nature reserve.

The Shrine of Lady of Caversham https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSV3jiqEXBk

have you looked through the small window on the church on South View Avenue Caversham and wondered what the beautiful Shrine is? Catherine of Aragon made frequent visits to the original shrine that was on Caversham Bridge.

Reading Old Cemetery East Reading https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCQIiOZFXpc&t Find out about the people buried there including Reading Football Club founder Joseph Edward Sydenham, the sculptor of the Forbury lion George Blackall Simonds and take a look at the beautiful funeral architecture including ‘Mary in the bath’.

Just One Thing #26 

Voted Reading’s No.1 Park by residents, Prospect Park is Reading’s largest open space, have you visited recently?

Visit the pond created to the south of the house and attracts an assortment of wildlife.

‘The Rookery’ can be found to the north – a mature oak woodland and Wildlife Heritage Site.

Prospect Park steam train run by voluntary enthusiasts open on the first Sunday of each month, near the Bath Road entrance.

The Ranger Station with indoor play mini ropes and coconut trees to climb plus famous Reading landmarks mini golf. Outdoor playground, Hey café and the Mansion House with the highest food hygiene rating.

On Saturday’s there’s the free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer, or spectate – it's up to you! Every Sunday there's the Junior Park Run at Prospect Park at 9am, 2k for juniors age 4-14.

Look and see if there’s an activity for you and your family to enjoy this weekend.