Wellbeing and Support
Please see folder "Wellbeing and Coronavirus" to read information about supporting adults and children's wellbeing during the current situation.
Newly added:
Supporting Children and Young People’s Wellbeing over the summer – Anna Freud Centre
The Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families have produced some information to help support young people over the summer holidays:
The #SelfcareSummer Primary pack is full of fun activities designed to help children look after their mental health and wellbeing while enjoying themselves. It also signposts them and their families to additional support if they need it. The #SelfcareSummer Secondary pack helps young people to create their own individual self-care plan for the summer holidays based on strategies which other young people have found helpful, and also signposts to additional support if they need it.
Free Wellbeing courses to support Children’s Mental Health - Please click link to view information about homeschool mini-courses designed to support children’s mental health.
Creating a "Calm Kit" (for adults or children)
The Government today (19.5.20) announced that the Family Fund will receive funding of £37.3m in 2020-21. This includes £10m which has been allocated to help families in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. More details can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/37-million-to-support-children-with-complex-needs
The Family Fund provides grants to families on low incomes who have disabilities or severe medical conditions. You can find out more about the Family Fund here: https://www.familyfund.org.uk/
Free online Happiness coaching program for challenging times
Promise Inclusion (MENCAP) are still available to help - click link for their contact details
Coping with Family Life During Lockdown
A Student's booklet: Coping with Change
Claire our Yoga teacher provides yoga and wellbeing suggestions on the Yoga Home Learning page
Also click here to read "a guide to living with worry and anxiety amid global uncertainty".
The students and staff may enjoy seeing some familiar faces in the following video:
"I'll be there for you" song by Addington Staff
SOCIAL CARE (Support by local authority)
Social workers and short breaks coordinator would be the first point of contact, for families who are not open cases or who do not know who their social worker is, they will need to contact.
Reading families:
https://brighterfuturesforchildren.org/contact-us/
For concerns (only), call First Contact on 0118 937 3641 (includes out of hours contact details).
Wokingham families:
Children with Disability Admin on 01189746890 during working hours.
and Social Care emergency duty team on 01344 786543 between 5 pm and 9 am during weekends and Bank holidays.
If the enquiry is regarding Short Breaks. Parents will need to contact Michelle Harmsworth
sbcoordinator@wokingham.gov.uk 01189746088 or 07770956028
Bracknell families:
The number to ring 01344 352020 between 8.30 am and 5 pm after that the call will be directed to Forest Care where they will be able to speak with a social worker.
SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS
Community Support - A Community Hub has been set up to provide food, toiletries and other essentials to people who need them in the Wokingham Borough. Donations can be dropped off at St Crispin’s Leisure Centre. For more information, please click here.
Promise Inclusion (Formally MENCAP)
www.wokinghambracknellmencap.org
Family Liaison Workers 07827 340405
MIND
A mental health charity
Phone: 0300 123 3393
website: www.mind.org.uk
Samaritans
Phone: 116 123
The Mix
Phone: 0808 808 4994.
Email: help@themix.org.uk
(For under 25 year olds only).
Rethink Mental Illness
Phone: 0300 5000 927
Website: www.rethink.org
Educational Support Partnership
Provides free confidential counselling for teachers, including online chat services.
Phone: 0800 0562 561
Text: 07909341229
Email: support@edsupport.org.uk
website: www.educationsupportpartnership.org.uk
ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service)
ACAS provides free and impartial information and advice to employers and employees on all aspects of work place relations and employment law. Supports good relationships between employers but also provides conciliation services to resolve work place problems.
Phone: 0300 123 1100
Website: www.acas.org.uk
FOOD BANKS/CAFES/FINANCIAL SUPPORT
NEW BEGINNINGS READING (Great Knolley’s Street, Reading)
AFTER SCHOOL CAFE
WEDNESDAYS, TERM TIME
3:15PM – 5.15PM
“We welcome families in need into our After School Café. Every Wednesday during term time, we warmly welcome parents and children to a safe place to stay and play after school. We offer a free hot meal for the family along with pre-owned clothing, school uniform and toiletries. A homework corner is available as well. Activities such as cooking, imaginative play and crafts are on offer for the children to take part in. The Queens Arms has a spacious garden for parents and children to enjoy. Support and signposting is on offer to parents.”
NEW BEGINNINGS READING
COMMUNITY FRIDGE AND FREE CAFE
WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY
12PM–1:30PM
“Our Community Fridge and Free Cafe offers a selection of free fresh and non-perishable food. This is a drop in service with no referral needed to attend. We also offer pre-owned clothing toiletries for anyone in the Reading area who is in need families are welcome at this service. New Beginnings Reading Community Fridge and Free Cafe is open every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 12.00pm and 1.30pm, and is managed by a team of volunteers.”
https://www.newbeginningsreading.org/
Woodley foodbank
http://www.pilotlight.org/index.php
Email or call to organise a food parcel:
07806 658 995 (weekdays 9am to 4pm)
0118 969 9956 (weekdays 9am to 12.30pm)
These food banks require having a referral to get hold of food vouchers
this link talks through how to do this): (https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/using-a-food-bank/
https://wokingham.foodbank.org.uk/get-help/foodbank-vouchers/
https://readifood.org.uk/i-need-a-food-parcel-myself/
https://bracknell.foodbank.org.uk/get-help/how-to-get-help/
https://westberks.foodbank.org.uk/get-help/how-to-get-help/
App for free food:
Olio
App for discounted food from local businesses:
Too Good to Go
Supermarket coupons for free/discounted food:
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/supermarket-coupons/
Help with those struggling with utility bills (quite a lengthy document but may be useful?)
