South Reading Community Information Ambassadors – June 2026 newsletter

This month we are celebrating both Carers Week, and Men’s Health
Week; sharing opportunities to improve our health in South Reading
as well as celebrating, recognising and drawing attention to the
amazing work that unpaid carers do to look after their loved ones.

As always we continue to share advice and information about support
available, opportunities for learning and employment, as well as all
the great activities going on at our community centres.

Whether you’re chatting with friends, posting on WhatsApp or
Facebook, or connecting through local groups and organisations, you
help ensure that everyone feels informed and included.

Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected South
Reading — thank you for being part of it.

On this page:

• Advice, information and support
• Health and wellbeing
• Jobs and learning
• Community centres and cafés

Advice, information and support

Young carers – opportunity to visit the Ranger Station

Young Carers in South Reading can access the Prospect Park Ranger Station term time on a Tuesday and Wednesday, after school between 4pm and 6pm. 

Sessions provide access to all Ranger Station sport and activity facilities, social and respite play and crafts, games. 

Parents are asked to drop off and collect but where this is not possible they can talk to the Ranger Station admin team at reading.play@reading.gov.uk who can look at a taxi option.

Foster carers needed – children with disabilities

Could you offer specialist care and a loving home?

Chikldren with disabilities who go into care often wait the longest to find a foster family and a stable, loving home.

If you can offer patience, understanding and care, we’ll provide expert training, ongoing support and competitive remuneration.

Get in touch to find out more:

0118 469 3020
foster@reading.gov.uk
readingfostering.co.uk

Help with school uniform

Did you know that from September 2026:

• schools should limit the number of compulsory branded items of uniform and PE kit to 3 or fewer
• secondary and middle schools should limit the number of compulsory branded items of uniform and PE kit to 4 or fewer, if one is a tie 

The government is currently pursuing legislation to make this limit mandatory.

A school’s uniform policy should be:

• published on its website
• available for all parents, including parents of prospective pupils
• easily understood

Schools should ensure from September that opportunities to acquire second-hand uniforms are freely accessible to all parents. Information on second-hand uniforms should be clear and available to parents of both current and prospective pupils, and be published on the school’s website.

Assisting Berkshire Children to read

Can you transform a child’s life by helping them to read?

ABC to read is an award-winning charity that has been helping primary school children across Berkshire to read since 2004. We help hundreds of children each year to gain an essential skill for life.

We can only do the work we do because of our amazing volunteers. Our charity offers training and support so volunteers can become mentors to children who are struggling to read, giving each child a boost in confidence and unlocking the magic of reading.

Would you be interested in volunteering in a local school? 

Find out more about  what’s involved and how to applyon the ABC to read website. ABC to read also provides support, training and workshops that can help schools directly. If your school is interested in additional literacy support, get in touch.

National Highways and Transport survey

South Reading Residents should look out for a survey coming through your letterbox inviting you to comment on highways and transport matters in Reading.

The National Highways & Transport (NHT) residents survey is being delivered to 3,300 random properties across the borough over the next two weeks.

If you receive a survey, it is your opportunity to have your say about topics including, highway maintenance, walking and cycling facilities, public transport, road safety, congestion and climate change.

Responses to the survey are used by the Council to make decisions on how much and where to invest to make highways and transport services in Reading better now and in the future. Please complete the NHT survey if you receive one as every response matters.

Family Hubs will offer the right help, in the right place, at the right time by offering services and support for all Reading residents aged 0 to 25.

Find out more at Best Start In Life South Reading Family Hub – Whitley Children’s Centre & South Reading Community Hub – 252 Northumberland Avenue, Reading RG2 7QA; Tel: 0118 9373894; Email: familyhub@reading.gov.uk

View services running at Best Start in Life South Reading Family Hub

Cost of living support

If you are a South Reading resident finding your weekly finances difficult to manage, it might be worth checking what national Cost of living support is available to you:

Benefits, tax and work

Find out what support is available to help increase your income. This includes Universal Credit and Carer’s Allowance.

Living costs: bills, housing and health

Find out what support is available to help with bills and costs. This includes support with utility bills, support from your local council and Council Tax Reduction.

If you’re 60 or over

Find out what support is available if you’re 60 or over. This includes Pension Credit, discounted travel and how to check your State Pension.

If you’re disabled or have a health condition

Find out what support is available if you’re disabled or have a health condition. This includes disability benefits and support with prescriptions and health costs.

Childcare and maternity costs

Find out what support is available with childcare and maternity costs. This includes free childcare hours and free school meals.

Managing money, savings and debt

Find advice for managing money, including budgeting advice and debt support.

Communicare

Advice charity available at Hexham Road Food Pantry, Hexham Road Community Centre, RG2 4UD

Every Wednesday, 12 noon to 1pm

www.communicare.org.uk
office@communicare.org.uk

Financial Foundations workshops from NatWest

Build your money skills and confidence with our workshops.

Our free Financial Foundations workshops are designed to build your financial resilience, empowering you to take control of your money and future. We support businesses, organisations and community groups, helping individuals at all statges of life.

The workshops

• Building Blocks – get to grips with the money basics: an introduction to banking, understanding your money, how to budget, borrowing and credit scores.
  Great for: those starting ot on their money journey
• Changes and Choices – the perfect follow-up to Building Blocks. Understand your relationship with money, how to dea with the unexpected, save big events and deal with debt.
  Great for: those starting out on their money journey
• Fraud and Scams – learn how to identify common financial scams and protect yourself from fraudsters.
  Great for: anyone looking to learn more
• Protection – understand types of insurance cover for yourslf or your home, why it’s so important, and how it can help you and your loved ones.
  Great for: anyone looking to learn more
• Cost of Living – understand how to tacke the rising cost of day-to-day expenses by exploring budgeting tips, saving strategies, and what to do if you’re dealing with debt.
  Great for: anyone struggling with the cost of living
• Steps to Financial Wellbeing – learn new tips to take your budgeting and saving to the next level, tackle debt and plan for the long term.
  Great for: those ready to build on their foundations and poish up their knowledge

What to expect

We offer both virtual and in-person workshops, depending on your location.

For those starting out on their money journey, we recommend completing Building Blocks, Changes and Choices, and Fraud and Scams.

We don’t give advice, but our workshops have been created to offer money tips and boost confidence.

Workshops usually last between 45 and 60 minutes.

The workshops are designed to be interactive. Come ready to explore money matters with the rest of the group – and bring questions!

After each workshop we share takeaway notes that summarise the main points and provide further resources.

Book a workshop: financial.foundations@natwest.com

Chapter 2

Change a life, mentor a fatherless boy. Chapter 2 provides long-term, 1:1 male mentors for fatherless boys.

Best Start in Life

For parents’ questions, big and small, get advice from Gov.uk’s Best Start in Life.

Reading Family Information Service and SEND Local Offer

Reading families can also access early years and childcare information by visiting www.readingfis.org/childcare or email fis@reading.gov.uk – contact the team – 0118 9373777 option 2 (line open Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm) excluding bank holidays. SEND Local Offer provides information on services supporting SEND ages 0-25 – www.readingsendlocaloffer.org

Reporting anti-social behaviour (ASB)

What is anti-social behaviour?

Anti-social behaviour (ASB) is behaviour that causes damage, disturbance, distress, harm or fear which has a significant impact on people’s lifestyles, routines or their environment. Our ASB Team and Safer Public Realm Team are here to support you with:

• noise nuisance
• neighbour disputes
• verbal abuse
• threatening behaviour
• harassment and intimidation
• vandalism
• criminal damage

Not all anti-social behaviour is classed as crime but a lot is, or can become a crime. Nothing will change if you don’t take action. We can give you the information and support you need to change things.

How we can help you

We are committed to working with residents providing support to thos experiencing anti-social behaviour.

We may ask you to keep a diary sheet to help us build up a picture of the problem and understand the impact this is having on your quality of life. This will help us form an action plan of next steps looking at a number of resolutions. We may conclude that some form of legal remedy is needed to takle the perpetrator.

Other cases may relate toisuse of public spaces, nuisance caused by noise at a venue, or groups of people gathering in areas that is intimidating or threatening, involves drud and alcohol misuse or low-leve criminatlity. We wil work with individuals where identified, and look at any improvements that could be made to the area to prevent activity.

Community right to review

If you are not satified with the outcome of agency involvement you may request a review of your case. The right to review will bring together the relevant agencies, which may include the local authority, police, health providers and/or social housing, who will work together and decide whether any further action can be taken to resolve the issue.

The community right to review is separate from our complaints and reporting process. Find more information on requesting a review.

How to report anti-social behaviour

First, consider the safety of you and other victims. If either of you are in immediate danger, call the police immediately on 999. For non-emergency incidents of anti-social behaviour, including hate crime please inform the policy using the Thames Valley Police online reporting tool.

Report anti-social behaviour

To report domestic abuse

If you feel you are in immediate danger call 999. If you situation is not urgent, call the police on 101 or contact the Domestic Abuse Helpline on:

• 0808 801 0882
• helpdesk@bwaid.org.uk

Other issues to report

Report fly tipping

Report noise nuisance

Health and wellbeing

Free Smoke Free App for South Reading residents

When life gets busy, it’s easy to reach for a cigarette. But what if there was something better?

More air in your lungs to laugh with your friends. More energy to keep up with the kids. Taste buds that actually work again.

Every 5 minutes, someone quits using the Smoke Free App. Real human advisors are available 24/7, quit aids are delivered to your door and your plan is built around you.

Download the Smoke Free App and set your quit date today

NHS England Health Check Survey

NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care are running a short survey to learn what people think about the NHS Health Check programme.

The public perspective – whether they’ve heard of or used the service or not – is incredibly valuable.

This survey will help us understand what’s working, what isn’t, and how the programme can better reach and support people in staying healthy.

The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete.
It is anonymous and open to everyone.

Survey closed on 30 June 2026

Sundays @ Rabsons

Join us ….

Improve your fitness, achieve your goals, make friends, enhance your wellbeing.

Whatever your motivation, start your running journey with us.

Free to all. All are welcome.

Rabsons Recreation Ground, 4pm to 5pm

Go to tinyurl.com/WestiesRR to find out more and register for your session.

The Cowsey

How’s about The Cowsey

Wild days are back. Joing Nature Nurture & friends for fantastic days out for all ages.

Free, no need to book.

Loads of activiites in store, including:

• Wild art
• Nature explorers
• Planting
• Nature trails
• BioBlitz
• Music
• Storytelling

When

Saturday 4 July
Friday 28 and Saturday 29 August
Saturday 31 October
Saturday 21 November

Time: 12pm to 4pm

nature-nurture.co.uk/events/CowseyWildDays

Access The Cowsey via John Rabson Rec, Northumberland Avenue – nearest bus stop 5 Emerald, Stockton Road stop.

Look after The Cowsey

Spending time in nature does wonders for our wellbeing. Come and find out for yourself…

Join Nature Nurture & Econet at The Cowsey

Why join us?

• Meet friendly people
• Get outdoors and make a difference in your ocmmunity
• Enjoy free warm drinks, fruit and biscuits

We’re working together to keep The Cowsey accessible and welcoming for all by trimming overgrown paths, improving ponds, laying bark chips on paths.

When?

Last Friday of every month 28 November, 30 January, 27 February, 27 March, 24 April, 29 May, 26 June. 10am to 1pm (rain or shine, except in high winds)

Where?

Meet at South Reading Leisure Centre car park, Northumberland Avenue, RG2 8DH

For age 18+ only.

Wear wellies or old show (we have some spare wellies if you need them)

Fore more information: nature-nurture.co.uk/events/look-after-the-cowsey, email: elspeth@nature-nurture.co.uk or phone: 07349 189227

Thrive Reading

Find out more about what is on offer at one of Thrive’s Open Afternoons on Thursday 19 May or Sunday 5 July.

Thrive, a leading UK gardening for health charity, runs Life Changers, a free, four-month gardening programme for those living with a life-changing illness, injury or health condition or have experienced a life changing event to enable them to improve their health and wellbeing.

Typical activities include seed sowing, propagation and potting on and planting out, planting salad/herb containers to encourage healthy eating, or craft activities e.g. Christmas wreaths. No previous gardening experience required.

Sessions run on Tuesdays, 10.00am – 3.00pm at Thrive’s gardens in Beech Hill, Reading RG7 2AT.

For more information and to book tel 0118 988 4844/ or email Trunkwell@thrive.org.uk or look on our website.

Open Gardens with Thrive Reading

Sunday 5 July 2026, 2pm to 4pm

Entry by donation

Join us to explore our beautiful gardens, discover more about our work, buy our plants and produce, and indulge in delicious homemade cakes!

Assistance dogs only, please. We kindly appreciate payments or donations in cash.

Life Changers Therapeutic Gardening with Thrive Reading

Tuesdays 10am to 3pm

Life Changers is a free four-month therapeutic gardening programme for people living with life changing illness, injury or health condition, or who have experienced a life changing event.

• Support your health and wellbeing
• Experience the joy of gardening and nature
• Be active, build confidence and independence
• Meet people who understand
• Learn new gardening skills

Contact and more information: www.thrive.org.uk/lifechangers – trunkwell@thrive.org.uk – 0118 988 4844 – Thrive, Beech Hill Road, Beech Hill, RG7 2AT

Walk together on a Wednesday

1.15pm to 2.30pm

Meet at Hexham Community Centre

All ages and all abilities welcome.

Term time walks starting weekly 4 March to 10 June 2026

Four reasons to go on a walk:

• Act of self-love
• Moving your body feels nice
• Connect with nature
• Vitamin D

Hexham.RoadCC@reading.gov.uk or 0118 931 3352

Jobs and learning

New Directions

Apprenticeships – building skills, supporting employers, developing futures.

Get in touch

New Directions College website

newdirections@reading.gov.uk
0345 842 0012
New Directions College, 330 Northumberland Avenue, Whitley, Reading RG2 8DH

AWE Nuclear Security Technologies

Want to kickstart your career and shape the future of national security?

Applications for apprenticeships are now open at AWE. Find out more about apprenticeships at AWE.

Camera, lighting and grip bootcamp

This bootcamp introduces participants to grip preparation and workflow, digital formats, kit, health and safety, production processes protocols and records, camera lenses and accessories, and filming.

It prepares successful participants for camera equipment technician, kit room technician, camera assistant senior and camera technician roles.

Get in touch to find out more: creativity.squared@jga-group.co.uk

Free construction upskilling services

12 months access to services and open to everyone working in construction.

Eligibility:

• You currently work (or have a confirmed job offer) on-site in construction
• You have been in your current job for 6 months or less

Access advice and guidance from a dedicated Gement Connect CITB adviser. Find out more on the Gement website or by contacting Gement Services: enquiries@gement.co.uk or 020 8058 9712 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)

Community centres and cafés

Whitley CDA

Look out for what’s going on the Whitley CDA Facebook page – breakfasts, surplus food, knit and natter, soup club, lunches and many more events.

Pantry

On benefits or a low income? Find the cost of food too much? Join a Pantry!

Whitley Wood Community Centre

What’s on at Whitley Wood Community Centre

Hexham Community Centre

What’s on at Hexham Community Centre