Autism Berkshire

Specialist services, training, social and leisure activities for parents, carers and adults in Berkshire to improve the quality of life of people with Autism and give them maximum independence.

Autism Berkshire is guided by a team of trustees with personal and professional experience of Autism.

Telephone: 0118 959 4594

Email: contact@autismberkshire.org.uk

Facebook: AutismBerkshire

Twitter: @autismberkshire

More Autism Information

Further information about Autism diagnosis and the support available in and around Reading.

Website: Living well with Autism

National Autistic Society

A society that helps patients with Autism.

Website: www.autism.org.uk

Cruse Bereavement Care - Berkshire Area

Cruse Bereavement Care is the leading national charity for bereaved people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Support, advice and information is offered to children, young people and adults when someone dies and the charity works to enhance society’s care of bereaved people.

Telephone: 01344 411919

National Helpline: 0808 808 1677

Website: www.cruse.org.uk

National Bereavement Partnership

A new charity has been set up to help people and families affected by the coronavirus outbreak to provide help for all individuals who need to speak to someone in these very uncertain and emotional times, when their loved ones may be ill in hospital or have sadly died.

Helpline: 0800 448 0800

Website: www.nationalbereavementpartnership.org

Daisy’s Dream

Established in 1996, Daisy’s Dream is a professional support service which responds to the needs of children and families affected by life threatening illness or bereavement, working across Berkshire and the surrounding areas.

Originally set up to meet the needs of children who had been bereaved, over recent years Daisy’s Dream has expanded its service to encompass families where there has been a serious illness diagnosis.

Telephone: 0118 934 2604

Facebook: Daisys-Dream

Twitter: @daisys_dream

Website: www.daisysdream.org.uk

Sands

Sands is the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, operating throughout the UK to support anyone affected by the death of a baby, working to improve the care bereaved parents receive, and promoting research to reduce the loss of babies’ lives.

Telephone: 0808 164 3332

Website: www.sands.org.uk

Email: helpline@sands.org.uk

Berkshire Carers Services

Berkshire Carers Service provides free information and support for people of all ages who provide unpaid care to a member of their family, partner, friend or neighbour.  This could be owing to physical or mental illness, disability or addiction and take the form of practical help or emotional support.

Telephone: 0118 324 7333

Website: www.berkshirecarers.org

Twitter: @BerksCarers

Email: ask@berkshirecarershub.org

Crossroads Care

Crossroads Care Reading offers a full range of services for all groups, disabilities or health conditions, also providing special care services.

Telephone: 0118 945 4209 or 0118 945 4218 (out of hours)

Website: www.readingcrossroads.org

Reading & West Berkshire Carers Hub

Carers Trust provides timely, personalised information and support via the Reading & West Berkshire Carers Hub to make caring for a loved one easier.

Telephone: 0118 324 7333

Facebook: RWBCarersHub

Twitter: @RWB_Carers_Hub

Website: www.berkshirecarershub.org

Email: ask@berkshirecarershub.org

Carers Trust

Carers Trust is a major charity for, with and about carers. Network partners support carers throughout the UK.

Telephone: 0300 772 9600

Facebook: carerstrust

Website: carers.org

Email: info@carers.org

Carers UK

No matter how complicated your query or your experience, you don’t have to care alone.

Telephone: 020 7378 4999

Website: www.carersuk.org

Email: info@carersuk.org

Berkshire Child Health - Mobile app

Every parent or carer wants to know how to do what is best for their growing baby and to give them the best start in life. This resource aims to help you understand what to do and who to ask in a number of situations; including what to do when your baby or child is ill. Learn how to care for your child at home, when to seek advice from a health visitor or call a doctor and when to use emergency services.

Download from: play.google.com

Download from: itunes.apple.com

Little Blue Book of Sunshine

The #littlebluebookofsunshine explains some of the things you can do right now to feel better, or who to turn to if things feel too much.

Call 0300 365 0300 if you have urgent concerns about a mental health problem or 999 if you are worried about your immediate safety.

Website: The Little Blue Book of Sunshine

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

Advice, information and specialist assessments and ongoing support for children and young people (up to the age of 25) who have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).

Website: www.reading.gov.uk/localoffer

Childhood illness visual guide

Use this visual guide to help you identify common conditions and illnesses that may affect your child. Includes conditions such as measles, slapped cheek syndrome, chicken pox and warts.

Website: www.nhs.uk

MindEd UK

MindEd is a free education resource on children and young people’s mental health for all adults, families, professionals and volunteers.

Website: www.minded.org.uk

Twitter: @MindEdUK

Vaccination planner

View this vaccination calendar which highlights the dates your child needs to have their vaccinations by.

Website: www.nhs.uk

Caversham Horticultural Society

Anyone with gardening interests can join Caversham Horticultural Society. They are a gardening club of around 500 member in Reading.

Telephone: 0300 365 2000

Website: www.caversham-horticultural.org.uk

Email: membership@caversham-horticultural.org.uk

Chainreaction Reading

Chainreaction is a community-based day opportunities service based at the Emmanuel Church, 448 Oxford Road, Reading, RG30 1EE, which works with and supports disabled people to develop self confidence, friendships, personal skills and independence. It is a non-profit organisation which is part of the Kingsley organisation.

Telephone: 0118 959 9650

Website: www.kingsleyorganisation.org.uk

Email: Helen@kingsleyorganisation.org.uk

Friends of Clayfield Copse

A local conservation group which meets on the first Sunday of the month throughout the year to complete monthly nature tasks to help preserve the environment of the area.

Telephone: 0118 9484454

Website: www.econetreading.org.uk

Email: clayfield@econetreading.org.uk 

CROW (Conserve Reading on Wednesdays)

Tasks every Wednesday throughout the year ranging from hedgelaying and coppicing to scrub clearance, invasive species control and path maintenance at sites in and around Reading, including many of Reading’s open spaces such as Clayfield Copse in Caversham.

Telephone: 0118 375 1756 

Website: www.econetreading.org.uk/programme/HomeCROW.html

Email: info@econetreading.org.uk

Guides and Brownies

Games, activities, craft, badges and fun are on offer. Parents need to put names on the Girl Guiding Association’s waiting list and will be contacted by unit leaders.

Telephone: 0800 169 5901

Reading Caversham Height Evening

Members of Townswomen’s Guilds offer each other support and stability in an increasingly fragmented society, with each member benefiting from a strong national movement that has remained a cornerstone for thousands of women across the UK.

Telephone: 01491 681223

Website: www.the-tg.com/caversham

Reading Voluntary Action

Reading Voluntary Action promotes strength within Reading’s voluntary and community sector (VCS) by providing information, access to resources, volunteer recruitment and training to people who work in or with charities, community groups and voluntary organisations.

RVA publishes a variety of online resources, including a directory of organisations, along with news and information.

Telephone: 0118 937 2273  

Website: rva.org.uk

Email: info@rva.org.uk

The Silvers' Workshop

The Silvers’ Workshop is part of the men’s shed movement, a voluntary organisation for older men who would like to learn fresh skills, finding purpose and companionship. The shed in Hilcot Road is a friendly, welcoming place involving tools for wood and metalwork, and things often of more interest to men than women.

Telephone: 0118 959 9971 

Website: thesilversworkshop.org.uk

Email: chairman@thesilversworkshop.org.uk

69th Reading 1st Caversham Heights Scouts

Volunteering contact

Becky Eytle

Email: becky.eytle@berkshirescouts.org.uk

Scout contact

Kim Williams

Email: kim.williams@berkshirescouts.org.uk

Age UK Berkshire

The Age UK Berkshire service provides ongoing one-to-one support for people with memory loss or living with dementia, and can give some respite to carers.

Telephone: 0118 959 4242

Website: www.ageuk.org.uk/berkshire

Dementia UK

Dementia UK offers specialist one-to-one support and expert advice for people living with dementia.

Telephone: 0800 888 6678

Website: www.dementiauk.org

No5

No5 offers confidential listening to support children and young people, and those around them, through its free counselling service for those aged 10 to 25 in the Reading area.

Telephone: 0118 901 5668

Text: 07984 357551

Facebook: no5youngpeople

Website: no5.org.uk

Email: info@no5.org.uk

BEAT Eating Disorders

BEAT Eating Disorders is a champion, guide and friend to anyone affected by eating disorders, giving individuals experiencing an eating disorder and their loved ones a place where they feel listened to, supported and empowered.

Helpline: 0808 801 0677

Youthline: 0808 801 0711 (for under 25s)

Facebook: beat.eating.disorders

Twitter: @beated

Website: www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk

Berkshire Children, Young Peoples and Families Services

Providing care and support to children, young people and their families, Berkshire Children, Young Peoples and Families Services offers specialist children’s services, mental health and therapy.

Telephone: 0300 365 1234

Website: cypf.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk

Berkshire Talking Therapies

Problems such as anxiety, depression, stress and phobias are very common. Talking Therapies is a friendly and approachable service which helps people with these problems.

Telephone: 0300 365 2000

Website: www.talkingtherapies.berkshire.nhs.uk

Email: talkingtherapies@berkshire.nhs.uk

Little Blue Book of Sunshine

The #littlebluebookofsunshine explains some of the things you can do right now to feel better, or who to turn to if things feel too much.

Call 0300 365 0300 if you have urgent concerns about a mental health problem or 999 if you are worried about your immediate safety.

Website: The Little Blue Book of Sunshine

Sport in Mind

Sport in Mind® is the independent Berkshire mental health sports charity formed in Reading in 2011 to use sport and physical activity to help aid the recovery of people experiencing mental health problems and encourage individuals to move their lives forward in a positive direction.

Telephone or Text: 07341 267740

Website: sportinmind.org

Email: info@sportinmind.org

CALM

The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is an award-winning charity dedicated to preventing male suicide, the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45 in the UK.

Telephone: 0800 58 58 58

Facebook: theCALMzone

Twitter: @theCALMzone

Website: www.thecalmzone.net

SANE

SANE provides emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including families, friends and carers.

Helpline: 0300 304 7000

Facebook: charitySANE

Twitter: @CharitySANE

Website: www.sane.org.uk

MindEd UK

MindEd is a free educational resource on children and young people’s mental health for all adults.

Twitter: @MindEdUK

Website: www.minded.org.uk

Samaritans

Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal. Call Samaritans free, 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

Telephone: 116 123

Website: www.samaritans.org

Email: jo@samaritans.org

Rethink

Rethink provide expert, accredited advice and information to everyone affected by mental health problems.

Telephone: 0300 5000 927

Website: www.rethink.org

Email: info@rethink.org

Mind

Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

Telephone: 0300 123 3393

Website: www.mind.org.uk

Newly diagnosed with Diabetes?

When newly diagnosed with diabetes, most people find themselves in a state of shock. However, being diagnosed with diabetes doesn’t prevent you from leading a ‘normal’ life and Diabetes UK has a vision of a world where diabetes can do no harm.

Diabetes affects more people than any other serious health condition in the UK.

Telephone: 0345 123 2399

Facebook: diabetesuk

Twitter: @diabetesuk

Website: www.diabetes.org.uk

Email: helpline@diabetes.org.uk

Berkshire Diabetic Eye Screening Programme

All patients aged 12 and over, with a diagnosis of diabetes should participate in the diabetic eye screening programme. This is the best way to ensure that risk of losing your sight is managed. Patients who have had bariatric surgery or no longer show the symptoms of diabetes should still attend for screening.

Telephone: 0300 365 3937

Website: Berkshire Diabetic Eye Screening

Further information: Sick Day Rules

Berkshire Foot Care Service (Podiatry)

It’s especially important to look after your feet if you have diabetes. Diabetes can reduce the blood supply to your feet and cause a loss of feeling. This can mean foot injuries do not heal well, and you may not notice if your foot is sore or injured.

Berkshire Foot Care Service can help you treat and manage conditions and diseases that affect your foot and lower limbs, helping you stay mobile and prevent any future complications.

Website: www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk

Living with Diabetes

To find out about living with Diabetes please visit the NHS Choices website.

Alana House Women's Community Project

Alana House in Reading and West Berkshire uses a holistic approach to support women by empowering them to take control of their lives, make informed decisions and improve their life chances.

Telephone: 0300 456 4800

Website: pactcharity.org 

Email: alana.house@pactcharity.org

Berkshire Women's Aid (BWA)

Berkshire Women’s Aid (BWA) works throughout Reading, Bracknell and Wokingham, and is affiliated to the Women’s Aid Federation of England (WAFE).

BWA provides advice, support and refuge services to victims of domestic abuse and provides information and education on the subject to make the case for effective action against domestic violence, intimidation and psychological abuse and for policies that support victims of abuse.

Helpline: 0118 950 4003

Website: www.berkshirewomensaid.org.uk

Helplines

Oxfordshire / West Berkshire Helpline: 0800 731 0055

Freephone 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247

Police (non emergency): 101

Victim Support: 0808 168 9111

Kiran Asian women’s aid: 0208 558 1986

Men’s advice line: 0808 801 0327

LGBT helpline: 0300 999 5428

Elder abuse: 0808 808 8141

Childline: 0800 1111

Trust House Reading

The centre in Reading offers a safe place for those affected by rape and sexual abuse.

Helpline: 0118 958 4033

Facebook: trusthouse.reading

Twitter: @TrustHouseR

Website: trusthousereading.org

Email: support@trusthousereading.org

Karma Nirvana - Honour-based Abuse

Karma Nirvana is an award-winning British Human Rights Charity supporting victims of honour-based abuse and forced marriage. Honour crimes are not determined by age, faith, gender or sexuality.

Telephone: 0800 5999 247

Website: www.karmanirvana.org.uk

Email: info@karmanirvana.org.uk

If you are in immediate danger call 999.

Men’s Advice Line

Men’s Advice Line: confidential helpline for men experiencing domestic violence from a partner or ex-partner (or from other family members).

Telephone: 0808 801 0327

Website: www.mensadviceline.org.uk

Email: info@respectphoneline.org.uk

National Centre for Domestic Violence

The National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV) provides a free, fast emergency injunction service to survivors of domestic violence regardless of their financial circumstances, race, gender or sexual orientation.

Telephone: 0800 970 2070

Facebook: nationalcentrefordomesticviolence

Twitter: @_NCDV

SOURCE - Young People's Drug & Alcohol Service

SOURCE is Reading’s Young Person’s drug and alcohol service, working with young people under 18 years old or up to 25 if they are vulnerable adults or have LDD. SOURCE also offers family work support for clients.

Telephone: 0118 901 5666

Website: servicesguide.reading.gov.uk

Email: source@reading.gov.uk

IRiS Reading

IRiS Reading is an adult alcohol and drug treatment service available to anyone over the age of 18 who lives in Reading, with support services available for family members of drug and alcohol users.

Telephone: 0118 955 7333

Website: www.irispartnership.org

Swanswell

Swanswell is a national alcohol and drug charity which helps people change and be happy. Swanswell has an office in Newbury where there are drop-in clinics from 9am to 7.30pm on Mondays, and until 5pm during the rest of the week.

Telephone: 020 8335 1830

Facebook: www.facebook.com/swanswellUK

Website: www.swanswell.org

Email: wberksadmin@swanswell.org

Drinkline

If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, you can call this free helpline, in complete confidence.

Telephone: 0300 123 1110

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

Telephone: 0800 917 7650

Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Email: help@aamail.org

Talk to Frank

If you have a problem with drugs Talk to Frank for friendly, confidential drugs advice.

Telephone: 0300 123 6600

Text: 82111

Website: www.talktofrank.com

Email: frank@talktofrank.com

Further information

For more information about the benefits of drinking less, top tips and more visit NHS Choices – Drinking and Alcohol
Alternatively, for more information on how drug misuse can be harmful to your health visit NHS Choices – The Effects of Drugs

Age UK Reading

Every day Age UK Reading provides vital services, information and support to thousands of older people of all ages and backgrounds. A free befriending service is provided in Reading and West Berkshire. Dedicated and caring volunteers visit clients in their own homes or speak to them on the phone to help break the cycle of loneliness.

Telephone: 0118 950 2480

Facebook: ageukreading

Twitter: @Age_UK_Reading

Website: www.ageuk.org.uk/reading

Email: info@ageukreading.org.uk

Dementia UK

Dementia UK offers specialist one-to-one support and expert advice for people living with dementia.

Telephone: 0800 888 6678

Website: www.dementiauk.org

Living with Arthritis

Find out more about managing pain and fatigue, how healthy eating can help your arthritis, how to manage work and arthritis and the impact exercise can have on your arthritis. If your child has arthritis find out what help and support is available for you and your child.

Website: www.arthritiscare.org.uk

Silver Line

Free phone support for older people, 24 hours a day.

Telephone: 0800 4708 090

Website: www.thesilverline.org.uk

Antenatal care

Calculate your Due Date

Your Antenatal Appointments Explained

Find Maternity Services Near you

Royal Berkshire Maternity Services

The Royal Berkshire Hospital has a range of Maternity Services available to residents in Berkshire.

Telephone: 0118 322 7296

Website: www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk

Planning your Pregnancy

If you’re planning on getting pregnant, you can improve your chances of conceiving and having a successful pregnancy.

Follow these steps

Baby Buddy App

Baby Buddy is an award winning mobile phone app for new parents and parents-to-be, created by mums, doctors and midwives.

Download from: play.google.com

Download from: itunes.apple.com

Berkshire MS Therapy Centre

Centre staff aim to make life with Multiple Sclerosis easier. Whether you are newly diagnosed, or have lived with MS for a while, the centre can help with specialised treatments within an understanding, supportive community.

Telephone: 0118 901 6000

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BMSTC

Twitter: @berksmstherapy

MS Support

MS Support volunteers are trained to confidentially offer emotional support, information, help to access specialist services and help to get financial support. This may be in person, by phone or email.

National helpline: 0808 800 8000 (9am-7pm, Monday to Friday except bank holidays)

Website: www.mssociety.org.uk

Email: helpline@mssociety.org.uk

Berkshire Sexual Health Services

Berkshire Sexual Health provides a range of services throughout Berkshire including contraception, STI checks and relationship advice.

Website: www.safesexberkshire.nhs.uk

British Pregnancy Advisory Service - Reading

BPAS (British Pregnancy Advisory Service) cares for women with an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy.

Telephone: 03457 30 40 30

Website: www.bpas.org

The Florey: Sexual Health

The Florey Sexual Health & Contraceptive Services clinics will provide you with accurate information, confidential care and support for all aspects of your sexual health. The full range of sexual health services is offered, including testing for and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and contraception.

Telephone: 0118 322 7202

Website: www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk

Address: Royal Berkshire Hospital, 21a Craven Road, Reading, RG1 5AN

NHS Sexual Health Guide

Everything you need to know about sexual health, including contraception and STIs.

Website: www.nhs.uk

Brook

Brook provides free and confidential sexual health and wellbeing services for nearly 250,000 young people UK-wide, each year.

Website: www.brook.org.uk

Sexual Health Helpline

The National Sexual Health Helpline provided by Public Health England is open Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm.

Telephone: 0300 123 7123

Family Planning Association

A sexual health charity, the Family Planning Association gives straightforward information and support on sexual health, sex and relationships to everyone in the UK.

Telephone: 020 7608 5240

Website: www.fpa.org.uk

Smokefreelife Berkshire

Smokefreelife Berkshire is a free service from Solutions 4 Health serving Reading, Slough, Windsor, Bracknell and Maidenhead, West Berkshire and Wokingham offering support that works.

Telephone: 0800 622 6360

Text: Quit to 66777

Twitter: @berkssmokefree

Website: www.smokefreelifeberkshire.com

Email: info@smokefreelifeberkshire.com 

Further information

For more information about the benefits of stopping smoking, top tips and more visit

NHS Choices – Stop Smoking

One You – Thinking of quitting?

Quit With Help

Everyone has a different reason for quitting, get a personalised Quit Smoking Plan.

Website: www.quitwithhelp.co.uk

Get Berkshire Active

Getting more people, more active, enjoying the benefits of more and better sport in Berkshire.

Website: www.getberkshireactive.org

Reading Walks Programme

Reading Walks community walking scheme is aimed at getting more people in Reading walking. This scheme is a great way to meet new people, improve your health and get to know your local community.

Website: Walking for Health

Telephone: 0118 937 5192

Email: rsl.enquiries@reading.gov.uk

Slimming World

You’ll find delicious recipe and menu ideas at your local group, along with all the help you need to get started and reach your target weight.

Website: www.slimmingworld.co.uk

Weight Watchers

Meetings, online or a little bit of both. Weight Watchers has got options and support, whatever your lifestyle.

Website: www.weightwatchers.com

Want to get more active?

Get help and advice from the NHS including 10-minute workouts, 12-week fitness plan, running and cycling for beginners and much more.

Website: www.nhs.uk/livewell