Reading IASS

Offering free confidential and impartial information advice and support to Reading parents/carers who have children/young people with SEND and to the children and young people directly, if required. The service also offers support to parents who are finding secondary transfer a challenge, whether or not the child has SEND.

Reading Information Advice and Support Service for SEND

Information advice and support for parents and carers of children and young people aged 0-25 who have special educational needs and/or disability. Supports parents to enable them to work well with their child's school and other professionals and to ensure that parents views are heard. Service also available to children and young people themselves.

Berkshire Carers Service

Advice, information and support for unpaid carers. Information about benefits and grants, health and social care services, planning a break, working and caring. Meeting other carers. Quarterly newsletter. Events, activities and support groups. Information for professionals

Smart Works (West London Office)

Smart Works is a UK charity that exists to give women the confidence they need to reach their full potential and secure employment. At the heart of Smart Works sits a dressing and coaching service designed to help our clients be the best version of themselves at a crucial moment in their lives. Each client that comes to us before her interview receives a bespoke dressing consultation with two trained volunteers, to find a beautiful and high-quality interview outfit that will fill her with confidence. This is free of charge and the clothes are hers to keep. This is followed by a one-to-one coaching session with an expert interview coach, where each client receives valuable interview preparation, unlocking her potential and enabling her to succeed at interview. We now also offer Career coaching, available for any unemployed woman looking to secure an interview. This is an hour long coaching session, with one of our trained coaches to identify tangible next steps to secure an interview. Every woman who comes to Smart Works is referred by another organisation or charity who is supporting her on the journey to employment. This makes sure we are reaching the women who will most benefit from our service. If you would like to refer a client, or have questions about being referred, contact your nearest centre, or call 020 7288 1770

Earley Crescent Resource Centre

Community Resource Centre offering access to a wide range of community information for the general public. Room hire for Voluntary and community groups. Community Learning Centre for courses and workshops.

Autism Berkshire

Information and support for autistic adults and the parents and carers of autistic children and adults, autistic-related issues or challenging behaviour. Telephone advice on all issues affecting the rights of people with autism, including health and social services, education and respite care. Organise leisure activities and social and activity groups for autistic children and adults. Manages the Thames Valley Autism Alert Card scheme.

Thrive

We provide social and therapeutic horticulture (STH) programmes to a wide range of people with varying needs. STH is the process of using plants and gardens to improve physical and mental health as well as communication and thinking skills. They facilitate therapeutic programmes at regional centres in Birmingham, Reading and London and also provide gardening advice for people with disabilities or long-term health conditions to carry on gardening. Additionally, they provide training courses to professionals, career changers and people wanting to understand and work on their own wellbeing.

Connecting Communities in Berkshire (CCB)

Connecting Communities in Berkshire (CCB) is an independent charity with 50 years experience in community development work, originally found in 1973 as a Rural Community Council. We are an active member of Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) the national body for 38 charitable local development agencies. Our vision is for all communities in Berkshire to be strong, resilient, sustainable and able to take control of their own futures. CCB’s purpose is to inspire action at a community level that improves people’s quality of life. We work across Berkshire, with a particular focus on rural areas. We run projects that provide advice, support and training that: reduces poverty & rural disadvantage / improves rural health & wellbeing / increases digital inclusion & social connectedness.

Berkshire Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre

Advice, information and a range of therapy treatments for people with multiple sclerosis.

No5 Young People

Free confidential counselling and mental health support for young people aged 11-25. Our support covers many different things but can include anxiety, relationships, depression, loneliness, abuse, loss, self-esteem, stress, self-harm, bullying, sexuality, suicidal feelings. This can offered in person, online via Zoom, or over the phone.