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

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.

Sahara Asian Women's Project

24 hour emergency service for Asian women experiencing domestic violence and forced marriage. Emergency refuge accommodation for women and girls of any age and boys under 12. Practical advice, counselling and support around all issues of physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Outreach service for ex-residents, women and children in the local community.