Charity Feature - Newbury Weekly News

Thursday, March 4, 2021 29

NEWBURY NEWS ADVERTISEMENT F TAURE

Newbury Weekly News

The road bkatco the CommunituyrFniture Project

Support and fun for children with special needs and their families

FOLLOWING publication of the Government’s ‘roadmap’ for easing of the Covid-19 restrictions in England, the furniture project are cautiously optimistic that they’ll be able to open their doors to customers again on Monday, April 12. While the actual doors to their premises in Bone Lane, Newbury, have had to remain closed during lockdown, they now have virtual doors – they have set up an online shop, which has proved to be an instant success. Visit www.n-c-r-c.org/shop The online shop was launched with donated items of new furniture, but reused items are now being added and stock is updated regularly as it becomes available. Many people have been occupying themselves during lockdown by decorating and refurbishing their homes and have unwanted, good quality pieces of furniture and household items that they are desperate to donate, so their van crews are expecting to be busy from April 12 onwards. Like many individuals and businesses, the charity has had to adapt during the Covid

delivers sessions in the community. The joy of Swings & Smiles can be taken out and about to schools, groups and individuals. Since they started in 2015, these outreach sessions have supported more than 600 children with special needs and disabilities to enjoy play. In 2021 it is hoped these groups will continue to grow further. It’s been a challenging year, and Swings & Smiles has continued to be a friend and a huge source of support for many families throughout the changing restrictions and at a time when they’ve needed it most. While their timetable may have had to change, Swings & Smiles is still there for children with special needs and their families. If you would like to find out more about Swings & Smiles you can visit their website www.swingsandsmiles.co.uk or get in touch on (01635) 285170 or office@swingsandsmiles.co.uk

SWINGS & Smiles is a charity providing support, friendship and play for children with special needs and their whole family. The charity operates from its centre in Thatcham and over the last seven years has supported more than 500 families, equating to 717 hours of support in 2020 alone. They offer sessions and clubs for children with disabilities or special needs where they can take part in general or sensory play, cooking activities, arts and crafts, sport and much more. The centre is fully-accessible with a brilliant garden including a wheelchair-accessible swing, trampoline and slide, with space to have a picnic. Swings & Smiles also provides a dedicated SIBSupport service for children who have a sibling with special needs. This SIBSupport service has increased as a result of the isolating time a lot of these

pandemic, but their focus has always been on maintaining their charitable activities to support the most vulnerable members of the local community. Day services for adults and young people with disabilities and mental health issues have continued to run in their Training and Community Support Centre next door to the Community Furniture Shop. Chief executive Kelvin Hughes said: “We have been very concerned about the impact of social isolation on our vulnerable service users. “We know how important the training activities we provide are to them, as well as the sense of community and belonging they have here, so we took the decision to remain open throughout lockdown, with all the necessary Covid-secure

measures in place.” The charity has also continued to work with West Berkshire Council and other referral agencies to supply food and essential items of furniture and household goods to people in the local area who are experiencing extreme hardship. They have helped the council to provide furnished accommodation for a number of previously homeless individuals and families who now have a comfortable, safe place to call home. They’re also involved in a project with Green Machine Computers to provide refurbished, donated computers to local schools for them to distribute to children in need. More than 200 desktops, laptops and tablets have been distributed so far.

children have experienced over the last year and currently runs weekly over Zoom, but sessions take place from the centre usually. In 2020, Swings & Smiles provided more than 350 hours of support just for siblings, double what was facilitated in the year before and is a great opportunity for children to meet others who understand their situation. As well as everything on offer at the centre, Swings & Smiles also

ONLINE SHOP NOW OPEN! We are pleased to announce that we now have an online shop! (See www.n-c-r-c.org/shop) It’s been launched with several new furniture items which have been donated to us and more stock will be added as it becomes available.

Support, friendship and play for children with special needs and their families Swings & Smiles is a place to play for children with special needs and disabilities. We support the whole family and offer a sibling support service alongside play sessions and clubs at our centre in Thatcham. We also offer a comprehensive outreach service. Get in touch if you’d like to find out more!

You can choose to have your purchase delivered or you can click and collect from our premises in Bone Lane. A member of our team will call you to discuss your preference within one working day. (Please note that online purchases are for sale at a single price only. Dual pricing will remain for items purchased in our Bone Lane premises when we are able to reopen again.) We are continuing to work with a number of referral agencies to support the most vulnerable members of our local community through our Essential Household Goods Project.

Unit F, Hambridge Road Industrial Estate, Bone Lane, Newbury RG14 5SS Telephone: 01635 43933 enquiries@cfpnewbury.org www.n-c-r-c.org

www.swingsandsmiles.co.uk 01635 285170 - office@swingsandsmiles.co.uk

Registered charity number 1120598

Thursday, March 4, 2021 30

NEWBURY NEWS ADVERTISEMENT F TAURE

Newbury Weekly News

Local Cvoid-recvoery fund Please help GreenhraumstTto help even more people impacted by coronavirus

for those who cannot access online resources. The speakers are making a huge difference to our recipients who are experiencing loneliness at home. Through this project we are enabling them to feel connected to the outside world.” Victoria Rowland, dementia co-ordinator, Age UK. “Newbury RDA provides riding therapy for up to 80 children a week from the local area which gives the children important physical therapy and also builds up their confidence. Despite being unable to open the stables or run any fundraising events during lockdown, the ponies still need to be looked after and fed, which is an expensive business. Greenham Trust has provided invaluable financial support during the Covid-19 pandemic which has been a huge relief to all of us.” Catherine Wilson, secretary and trustee, Newbury Riding for the Disabled. “Funding from Greenham Trust meant we could provide a vital continuation of mental health support for local young people.” Carly Newman, operations and

relationships manager, No5 Young People. “The grant from Greenham Trust’s coronavirus appeal meant that Loose Ends has been able to provide hot and cold ‘takeaway’ meals and food parcels to the homeless and vulnerable during the pandemic lockdown.” Linda Fergusson, chairwoman, Loose Ends Newbury. “Thank you Greenham Trust for your funding helping PSC to support families manage challenging behaviours during lockdown.” Tess Eagles, business development and partnerships manager, Parenting Special Children. Please give what you can to help others less fortunate Any amount no matter how small is welcomed. Please give what you can to the fundraising appeal via The Good Exchange (Greenham Trust’s online funding and fundraising platform) and every penny will go to help local people in need. With Greenham Trust’s Match Funding every £1 donated is

doubled to £2. Donate here: https://thegoodex- change.com/coronavirus Can you help by organising a fundraising activity? As lockdown restrictions start to ease, maybe you can get a group of people together to raise some funds with a fundraising activity. Newbury Velo cycling club raised money to support people affected by the Covid-19 crisis by virtually climbing the height of Everest, a total of 8,848m in just one day. https://app.thegoodexchange. com/fundraising-profile/380/ will-morris/17994/ greenham-trust-coronavirus- emergency-appeal Start fundraising here: https://thegoodexchange.com/ coronavirus Contact: https://greenhamtrust.com/ https://thegoodexchange.com Greenham Trust and The Good Exchange, Liberty House, Greenham Business park, Thatcham, RG19 6HS events@greenhamtrust.com

ONLY a few days to go before schools reopen and the journey out of coronavirus lockdown starts. Everyone is hoping that the end of the Covid pandemic is in sight in the UK, but we know in our hearts that many thousands of people will continue to feel the impact for months and years to come. In March 2020, Greenham Trust, West Berkshire and North Hampshire’s local grant funder opened a Coronavirus Emergency Appeal, donating £250,000 to the fund, which has grown to more than £520,000 thanks to the amazing generosity of members of the public, local companies and charitable trusts and foundations. Over the last 11 months, £392,163 has been distributed to nearly 150 charities and community groups across the area, covering a huge range of needs including mental health and counselling, meals on wheels for elderly and isolated people, telephone and online support for vulnerable members of the community, food parcels for overseas performers

from Zippo’s circus, mobile library services, nappies for families in need and food and other supplies for the homeless. But there are still so many more people who need help so please do what you can to help people most affected by the pandemic. Greenham Trust’s match funding means that every £1 you donate or raise through fundraising activities becomes £2. How have Covid-19 grants helped local people? “Thanks to the funds received from the Coronavirus Appeal Fund, FLAG DV was able to adapt to the changes of remote

working supporting 350 domestic abuse victims with free legal advice. Thank you for everything you do.” Amanda Findlay, office administrator, FLAG DV (Free Legal Advice Group for Domestic Violence). “The Covid Emergency grant made it possible for all our deaf pupils to continue learning during lockdown. Thank you Greenham Trust.” Robert Rattray, headteacher, Mary Hare Primary School for deaf children. “My Speakerfriend, the talking speakers part funded by Greenham Trust, support the most isolated in the community and provides mental stimulation

How have Coronavirus grants helped local people?

͞&ƵŶĚŝŶŐ ĨƌŽŵ 'ƌĞĞŶŚĂŵ dƌƵƐƚ ŵĞĂŶƚ ǁĞ ĐŽƵůĚ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞ Ă ǀŝƚĂů ĐŽŶƟ ŶƵĂƟ ŽŶ ŽĨ ŵĞŶƚĂů ŚĞĂůƚŚ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ ĨŽƌ ůŽĐĂů LJŽƵŶŐ ƉĞŽƉůĞ͘͟ No5 Young People

͞dŚĂŶŬƐ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ĨƵŶĚƐ ƌĞĐĞŝǀĞĚ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ ŽƌŽŶĂǀŝƌƵƐ ƉƉĞĂů &ƵŶĚ͕ &> ' s ǁĂƐ ĂďůĞ ƚŽ ĂĚĂƉƚ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ĐŚĂŶŐĞƐ ŽĨ ƌĞŵŽƚĞ ǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƟ ŶŐ ϯϱϬ ĚŽŵĞƐƟ Đ ĂďƵƐĞ ǀŝĐƟ ŵƐ ǁŝƚŚ ĨƌĞĞ ůĞŐĂů ĂĚǀŝĐĞ͘͟ FLAGDV ͞dŚĞ ŽƌŽŶĂǀŝƌƵƐ ĞŵĞƌŐĞŶĐLJ ŐƌĂŶƚ ŵĂĚĞ ŝƚ ƉŽƐƐŝďůĞ ĨŽƌ Ăůů ŽƵƌ ĚĞĂĨ ƉƵƉŝůƐ ƚŽ ĐŽŶƟ ŶƵĞ ůĞĂƌŶŝŶŐ ĚƵƌŝŶŐ ůŽĐŬĚŽǁŶ͘͟ Mary Hare Primary School for deaf children ͞dŚƌŽƵŐŚ ƚŚĞ ĨƵŶĚŝŶŐ ĨŽƌ ŽƵƌ ͚DLJ ^ƉĞĂŬĞƌĨƌŝĞŶĚ͛ ƉƌŽũĞĐƚ ǁĞ ĂƌĞ ĞŶĂďůŝŶŐ ƚŚŽƐĞ ǁŚŽ ĐĂŶŶŽƚ ĂĐĐĞƐƐ ŽŶůŝŶĞ ƌĞƐŽƵƌĐĞƐ ĨĞĞů ĐŽŶŶĞĐƚĞĚ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ŽƵƚƐŝĚĞ ǁŽƌůĚ͘͞ AGE UK Berkshire ͞'ƌĞĞŶŚĂŵ dƌƵƐƚ ŚĂƐ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞĚ ŝŶǀĂůƵĂďůĞ Į ŶĂŶĐŝĂů ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ ĚƵƌŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ŽƌŽŶĂǀŝƌƵƐ ƉĂŶĚĞŵŝĐ ǁŚŝĐŚ ŚĂƐ ŚĞůƉĞĚ ƵƐ ƚŽ ůŽŽŬ ĂŌ Ğƌ ƚŚĞ ƉŽŶŝĞƐ͕ ǁŚŝĐŚ ŝƐ ĂŶ ĞdžƉĞŶƐŝǀĞ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ͘͟ Newbury Riding for the Disabled

͞dŚĞ ŐƌĂŶƚ ĨƌŽŵ 'ƌĞĞŶŚĂŵ dƌƵƐƚ͛Ɛ ŽƌŽŶĂǀŝƌƵƐ ĂƉƉĞĂů ŵĞĂŶƚ ƚŚĂƚ >ŽŽƐĞ ŶĚƐ ŚĂƐ ďĞĞŶ ĂďůĞ ƚŽ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞ ŚŽƚ ĂŶĚ ĐŽůĚ ͚ƚĂŬĞĂǁĂLJ͛ ŵĞĂůƐ ĂŶĚ ĨŽŽĚ ƉĂƌĐĞůƐ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ŚŽŵĞůĞƐƐ ĂŶĚ ǀƵůŶĞƌĂďůĞ ĚƵƌŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ƉĂŶĚĞŵŝĐ ůŽĐŬĚŽǁŶ͘͟ Loose Ends Newbury ͞dŚĂŶŬ LJŽƵ 'ƌĞĞŶŚĂŵ dƌƵƐƚ ĨŽƌ LJŽƵƌ ĨƵŶĚŝŶŐ ŚĞůƉŝŶŐ W^ ƚŽ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ ĨĂŵŝůŝĞƐ ŵĂŶĂŐĞ ĐŚĂůůĞŶŐŝŶŐ ďĞŚĂǀŝŽƵƌƐ ĚƵƌŝŶŐ ůŽĐŬĚŽǁŶ͘͟ WĂƌĞŶƟ ŶŐ ^ƉĞĐŝĂů ŚŝůĚƌĞŶ

Please give what you can to help others less fortunate ŶLJ ĂŵŽƵŶƚ ŶŽ ŵĂƩ Ğƌ ŚŽǁ ƐŵĂůů ŝƐ ǁĞůĐŽŵĞĚ ĂŶĚ ĞǀĞƌLJ ƉŽƵŶĚ ĚŽŶĂƚĞĚ ƚŽ ŽƵƌ ĨƵŶĚƌĂŝƐŝŶŐ ĂƉƉĞĂů ǀŝĂ The Good Exchange ;'ƌĞĞŶŚĂŵ dƌƵƐƚ͛Ɛ ŽŶůŝŶĞ ĨƵŶĚŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ĨƵŶĚƌĂŝƐŝŶŐ ƉůĂƞ ŽƌŵͿ ǁŝůů ŐŽ ƚŽ ŚĞůƉ ůŽĐĂů ƉĞŽƉůĞ ŝŵƉĂĐƚĞĚ ďLJ ŽƌŽŶĂǀŝƌƵƐ͘ With Greenham Trust’s Match Funding every £1 donated is doubled to £2!

photograph (Karen Bennett)

KE d Žƌ ^d Zd &hE Z /^/E' , Z ͗ ŚƩ ƉƐ͗ͬͬƚŚĞŐŽŽĚĞdžĐŚĂŶŐĞ͘ĐŽŵͬĐŽƌŽŶĂǀŝƌƵƐ

Thursday, March 4, 2021 31

NEWBURY NEWS ADVERTISEMENT F TAURE

Newbury Weekly News

Fun, of od and friendship at Fair Close Centre

SINCE the Fair Close Centre was opened in 1967 by the Queen Mother, it has become a vital community hub, providing older people with a place of their own in Newbury to meet, eat and enjoy events and activities. With the onset of the pandemic, the centre faced many challenges, from the logistics of upscaling its meals on wheels operation to seven days a week, while implementing Government guidelines on social distancing and customer safety, to keeping in touch with its 200 members, many of whom live alone and have felt increasingly isolated. The centre has continued to operate throughout the many lockdowns thanks to the support of the Greenham Trust. The charity has been able to invest in new kitchen equipment and staff training as part of the plans to reopen the restaurant as soon as the Government gives the go-ahead and with the support of the National Lottery it has increased its welfare services with telephone calls to members in the evenings and at weekends. Working with the UK Men’s

Collecting for Eight Bells before the pandemic

Volunteer with Eight Bells

and wellbeing. This could include:

n Meet new people. n Gain new or use existing skills. n Get experience. n Make a big difference to your community. If this sounds like this could be something for you or you want to find out more please contact Andrea at community.strength@ eightbellsnewbury.co.uk or phone 07985 404302. Alternatively find out more at http://eightbellsnewbury.co.uk/ cs or to apply online go to http://eightbellsnewbury.co.uk/ volunteer

DO you have a good understanding of what is going on where you live? Do you have a bit of time to give to someone who might need your help or is lonely? Eight Bells is looking for people with the right attitude and qualities to help them strengthen the local community and to support people to live healthy, independent lives for as long as possible. Eight Bells is looking for Community Navigators – volunteers to support people to improve their mental health

Sheds Association and with support from Sovereign, the centre is now planning a Men’s Shed, which will provide a space for men to connect and converse while making and mending – of course women will be welcome too. Chair of the trustees Josie Reed said: “We are incredibly grateful to all those who have supported Fair Close during the pandemic – volunteers who have delivered the lunches, served in the restaurant and helped in so many ways behind the scenes. “We have had fantastic support from the Greenham Trust,

Stream Networks, Newbury Racecourse and the Berkshire Community Fund and now we hope to open the centre again in April and welcome everyone back. “I know how much Fair Close means to people and I for one can’t wait for the time when it is once again its busy happy self with doors and arms wide open.” The Fair Close Centre receives no public funding and is reliant on donations and grants. If you would like to support the centre, please visit www.fairclosecentre.org/donate

n Having a chat and cuppa to understand interest and needs. n Signposting to local services and community activities, n Helping to build confidence to attend groups and activities. n Helping people to access a wider range of information so they can make better choices. n Building social networks that will link people together. Volunteering in your local community can be very rewarding and is a great way to:

FUN, FOOD AND FRIENDSHIP FOR SENIORS IN WEST BERKSHIRE AND NORTH HAMPSHIRE 53 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE NOW PLANNING FOR LIFE AFTER LOCKDOWN! • Men’s Shed in development

WE NEED YOUR HELP During this crisis the staff, members and trustees at Eight Bells are working hard to support those who are struggling emotionally and mentally. To do this Please donate via the Good Exchange via the following link:-

• 2 new minibuses ready to extend our reach • 7 day meals on wheels service to be con nued • 7 day restaurant and café at Fair Close

• Hairdressing and footcare back in the centre • New ac vi es and resump on of old favourites SO MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO (AS SOON AS POSSIBLE) WATCH THIS SPACE…! www.fairclosecentre.org / Facebook Contact us by: email hello@fairclosecentre.org/ Or phone our new Centre Manager, Louise Davies to find out more on 01635 40488

For more information check out our website www.eightbellsnewbury.co.uk Email: coordinator@eightbellsnewbury.co.uk https://tinyurl.com/NWN8Bells Or alternatively text EIGHTBELLS to 70660 to donate £3

Thursday, March 4, 2021 32

NEWBURY NEWS ADVERTISEMENT F TAURE

Newbury Weekly News

Trindledwon Farm lookstaefr animals in needxotfrae care The National AnimeallfaWrerTust needs your support to carr y on their work

NAWT Berkshire is a leading animal welfare charity based at Trindledown Farm, just outside Great Shefford. They are a rescue and rehoming centre specialising in the care and rehabilitation of elderly animals. Usually open to the public, visitors are able to get tours of the farm and wander freely to see the lovely animals and even feed the friendly alpacas. They are currently closed and really missing all their supporters who visit. They’d like to say a huge thank you to the NHS and keyworkers who are working so hard to care for and vaccinate the population so our lives can return to as close to normal soon. In 2020 NAWT Berkshire helped to care for and rehome 182 animals and your continued support gives all the animals here a fighting chance at a brighter and happier future. They never stop caring and will stop at nothing to give all animals the best care possible. Smithy’s, their bargain pet shop, has moved online and has a great range of dog, cat, bird and small animal feed at up to 70 per cent off retail price. Head to their Facebook page, @nawt.berkshire to find Smithy’s Pet Shop and make your purchase. Items can be collected from Trindledown Farm and payments made easily through

Newbury Cancer Care advice and support for families and patients

From providing specialist medical equipment, supporting healthcare workers to attend training courses, helping to fund treatment for patients, or even driving them to and from their hospital appointments. Everything they do is geared towards improving the lives of those diagnosed with cancer. Working closely with clinical nurse specialists, medical professionals and the day hospice, they are able to offer support from the point of diagnosis, for as long as they are needed. For further information visit www.newburycancercare.org.uk or call (01635) 31542.

NEWBURY Cancer Care is an independent charity, founded in 1984 to help local people who have been diagnosed with cancer or other life-threatening illnesses. They offer practical help and information to patients and their families living in West Berkshire and are the parent charity for the Rainbow Rooms and the Rosemary Centre at the West Berkshire Community Hospital. The charity’s number one priority is making as positive an impact on as many people as possible. To do this, they are able to offer many different forms of help and assistance to the community.

Paypal or over the phone. For available animals visit www.nawt.org.uk or if you’re

interested in donating to support the animals here, they’d love to hear from you. Contact Cy at c.grove@nawt.org.uk or call (01488) 638584.

NEWBURY & District MS Society reaches out to as many people as possible who are affected by multiple sclerosis and to lend support to them and their families wherever possible. It provides the local MS community with For more information about Newbury & District MS Society please call 07555 600252 or email newbury@mssociety.org.uk Local MS Society offers help quality information, links and contact points about local activities. It runs appropriate, valued social events for people affected by MS and offers information about therapies available to them. Most importantly, it strives to let people know that they are not alone in their life’s journey coping with MS.

A local charity for local people providing suppor t and information

Your local cancer charity serving our community. The Rosemary Centre, West Berkshire Community Hospi tal, Rookes Way, Thatcham RG18 3AS 01635 31542 office@newburycancercare.org.uk www.newburycancercare.org.uk Charity no. 1157796

Are you newly diagnosed or just need a bit of support? We are always here if you need us. Newbury & District MS Society t: 07555 600252 e: newbury@mssociety.org.uk

MS Society Newbury & District Group

Thursday, March 4, 2021 33

NEWBURY NEWS ADVERTISEMENT F TAURE

Newbury Weekly News

Be a pat rof theoRyal British Legion Nwebuyr Community

BERKSHIRE Youth is a local charity which has been committed to improving the lives and experiences of local young people for 80 years. The charity works across the county to support, empower and inspire more than 12,000 young people each year through a range of projects and activities. Berkshire Youth has continued to help local young people throughout the pandemic with its Berkshire Youth Hubs (www.wbyh.co.uk), a support platform to link young people, families and youth workers with information and links to support, as well as access to Berkshire Youth’s youth workers and volunteering opportunities. Their detached youth workers are familiar faces in Newbury as they build relationships with young people where they ‘hang out’ and encourage them into local youth activities. They also work closely with local schools to provide mentoring and preventative education for young people, helping with early identification of those of at risk Looking after young people

THE Royal British Legion was formed in 1921 to look after the needs of the service personnel and their dependants coming home after the First World War, and is still doing the same work now nearly one hundred years on from its beginning. As conflicts continue throughout the world, Newbury RBL encompasses two areas, the branches and the club, and although operating under different rules both work together for the same end product, specifically the welfare of their members. The RBL Newbury Branch and Women’s Section form the welfare arm looking after the needs of the serving and ex-service community and their dependants. This can be mobility needs, assistance with travel to hospital appointments, white goods in homes and many other areas of help. It’s a big misconception that you have to be a member of the Royal British Legion to benefit from their services, all you need to be is currently serving, ex-service or a dependent

for members as well as helping to raise money to assist the welfare team in their work. When running as normal, the club has a varied list of events including twice weekly bingo, a Friday night sing along and meat raffle, dart teams, snooker and pool, Sunday quiz, Sunday lunch, Lunch Bunch one Saturday a month, and a variety of Saturday evening entertainment. The club has a large hall and a smaller suite able to host weddings, social gatherings and meetings, and can cater from a finger buffet to a silver service dinner. If you wish to contact the club about future events or hall reservations please ring David Dunk, club chairman, on 07555 364775 or email rblnewburyclubchairman@ gmail.com If you wish to find out more information about the Newbury RBL Branch and Women’s Section and what they do for the community please contact Keith Williams, branch secretary, on 07785 701721 or email rblnewburybranchsecretary@ gmail.com

from gangs, drugs and knife crime. Despite the uncertain times, Berkshire Youth has been determined to push ahead with ambitious £1.5m plans to renovate the Waterside Centre in Newbury. Opening later this year, the Waterside will be an incredible state-of-the-art youth and community centre in the heart of the town. It will be a flagship youth and community centre for West Berkshire, offering excellent facilities (including a dance studio, hall and water-based activities), a programme of activities, a safe space and support for local young people. The Waterside promises to be a hugely positive addition to the lives of local people and a sign of The newly renovateadteWrside Centre, Newy bur

hope for the future. The new centre is intended to lift young people’s aspirations, boost their self-esteem and inspire them to realise their potential. Berkshire Youth expects that hundreds of local young people will benefit from the centre, which will provide a popular meeting place and support network. The charity believes that, especially at the current time, it’s important for young people to know that they are valued and important and that we are all including how you can support the exciting Waterside project, please visit www.berkshireyouth.co.uk or email admin@berkshireyouth.co.uk invested in their futures. For further information,

of someone who is. All welfare work is strictly confidential and their community support officer David Glover can be contacted by phone on 07967 775182 or email at davey.glover9@btinternet.com The RBL Club forms the social arm, organising various events Legion was formed in 1921 to look after the needs of the sveicre personnel and their dependants “ The Royal British

Supporting, empowering and inspiring young people

We help local young people as they transition from childhood to young adulthood Many of the young people we work with are vulnerable or disadvantaged and unable to access help elsewhere. Visit our website to

find out more and get involved: berkshireyouth.co.uk admin@berkshireyouth.co.uk 0118 909 0927

Watlington House, 44 Watlington Street, Reading RG1 4RJ Registered charity number 1106341