Local Support for Mental Health
This factsheet offers information about local support services and activities available to support you, your family and friend.
Reading Services Guide
Local directory listing most of the services available in Reading, including statutory, voluntary sector and community groups
Visit: servicesguide.reading.gov.uk
Healthy Lifestyles
Stop smoking support services
Stopping smoking will help you feel better and live longer. You are more likely to be successful if you get help from specialist support services.
Smokefreelife Berkshire provides individual and group support, Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and Community based drop-in clinics and private appointments (GP surgeries, pharmacies, supermarkets etc.) or at home. Services are FREE.
Call: 0800 622 6360 Visit: www.smokefreelifeberkshire.com Text: QUIT to 66777
Alcohol and Drugs
Iris provide information, advice and treatment services for adults (18+) experiencing difficulties with drugs and/or alcohol and their family members
Call: 0118 955 7333 Visit: www.irispartnership.org Email:
Eat for Health Weight Management
Looking after your physical health can help to boost your mental health and make you feel more positive.
Eat 4 health offer FREE support to help you manage your weight through a programme of healthy eating and exercise (tailored to your individual abilities)
Tel: 0800 634 9139 Visit: www.eat-4-health.co.uk Email:
Stay active
Taking part in sport and exercise can help promote mental well-being, aid recovery and improve physical health
Sport in Mind
Independent Berkshire mental health charity providing opportunities for people experiencing mental health problems to play sport and physical activity in a supported environment.
Call: 0796 957 9947 Visit: sportinmind.org/timetables Email:
Reading Walks Programme
Walking is a low impact exercise which promotes general health and mental wellbeing being.
The walks programme offers FREE guided walks by experienced walk leaders.
www.walkingforhealth.org.uk
Local sport and leisure centres
Your local leisure centres offer a good choice of courses, classes and activity sessions.
Visit: www.readingleisure.co.uk Email:
Other social and leisure activities
Reading Your Way
Reading Your Way offers a range of mental health support, including a flexible programme of groups and activities in the community led by service users and peer supporters.
Call 0118 966 0240 Visit: www.together-uk.org/projects/reading-your-way Email:
Reading Services Guide
Search the Services Guide to find social groups and hobby clubs that might interest you.
Visit: servicesguide.reading.gov.uk
Readipop
Musical workshops and sessions including Acappella 101, Samba drumming, ukulele workshops. All welcome.
Call: 0118 938 7156 Visit: www.readipop.co.uk/eventscalendar Email:
Churches in Reading Women’s Centre
This group is open to everyone, of any faith or none, and provides support for women of all ages to meet, relax and enjoy themselves. Activities include arts and crafts, organised trips and shared lunches.
Call: 0781 737 3773 Email:
Gardening Therapy
If you enjoy being out-doors (or in a green-house!) and want to use your gardening skills or to learn more, then you might like to consider horticultural therapy. As well as taking part in an activity you enjoy you will be working with therapists who will work with you to enhance your mental well-being.
Contact Sara on 07450 334 091 Email
Children and Young People
Time to Talk
If you're having problems at home, school or just feeling overwhelmed, talking through these problems can unburden you and allow you to enjoy life.Time to talk offer counselling sessions for 11-19 year olds (up to 25years for young people with additional needs).
Call: 0118 903 5151/07891 052 333 Visit: www.timetotalk.adviza.org.uk E-mail:
Health Drop-in
Free confidential health advice service for young people under 19. Talk to qualified nurses and youth workers about safe sex, friendships, smoking, drugs, body image, stress, alcohol, bullying, and relationships.
Call: 0118 937 4811 Visit: www.readingyouth.com
East West Kids Connect
Improve mental health and wellbeing through mindfulness and meditation. FREE sessions for families and young people can help manage a rangeof problems including stress, anxiety, anger, depression and low self-esteem.
Call: Mike Sarson 0118 962 3332 E-mail:
Readipop
Music and singing courses and projects for young people run throughout the year.
Call: 0118 938 7156 Visit: www.readipop.co.uk/eventscalendar or email:
“Off the Record”
Information and advice booklet designed by young people to help other young people look after their own emotional wellbeing.
Visit: www.readingyouth.com
Housing Advice
Housing Advice Service
Advice on housing options and support to help prevent homelessness and tenancy advice
Drop-in (Mon, Tues, Thurs & Friday 9am - 5pm & Weds 12 - 5pm) Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading RG1 2LU
Appointments/advice: 0118 937 2165 Email
Launchpad Floating Support
Offers housing related support to help you maintain your tenancy and prevent homelessness. Referral via the Access Panel – contact the Housing Advice Service.
HAS appointments/advice: 0118 937 2165 Email
Skills and Employment
Learning new skills or taking steps to achieve personal goals or get back into work can help enhance your mental health and make you feel more positive.
New Directions – Employment Services
New Directions offers the National Careers Service providing free impartial face to face information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work opportunities
Tel: 0345 842 0012 Visit: www.newdirectionsreading.ac.uk
The Earley Charity – Employability workshops
Range of courses to help improve your confidence and skills in preparation for work
Call: 0118 921 0555 Email:
Adviza
Support and mentoring to young people not in employment or training
Call Kat 07747 476 820 or Email:
ElevateMe
Information and advice for young people aged 16 to 24 to help you make the most of your skills, find out about work and apprenticeships
Visit: www.reading.elevate.me.org.uk
Job Club
Weekly group open to everyone offering advice and support on writing CVs, interview skills and knowing your rights.
Visit: www.reading.elevate.me.org.uk
The Ways and Means Trust
Provides training and work experience opportunities in a friendly, person-centred setting, to help you realise your potential and to build confidence.
Tel: 01491 628 933 Visit www.waysandmeans.org.uk
Counselling and support
There is always someone willing to listen if you need to talk. It can help to share what you are thinking and feeling with another person. Don’t bottle it up, ring one of the numbers here or ask your GP for advice.
Reading Your Way
Reading Your Way offers flexible, personalised mental health support, to help individuals identify and achieve their personal recovery goals.
Call 0118 966 0240 Visit: www.together-uk.org/projects/reading-your-way Email:
Talking Therapies
Talking therapies can help with depression, anxiety, phobias, panic, stress and OCD. FREE service
Call: 0300 365 2000 Visit: www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk
Mums in Mind
A confidential and relaxed group for mums who are feeling alone or anxious following the birth of their child, or that the feelings of being a mum are less pleasurable than they imagined they would be.
Call : 0118 956 0050 Visit: www.home-start-reading.org.uk Email:
Mothertongue
Provides a culturally sensitive, professional counselling and listening service where people are heard with respect in their chosen language
Appointments: 0118 957 6393 Visit: www.mothertongue.org.uk Email:
Listening Place
A community based bereavement support group offering one to one support or the chance to socialise/chat with other group members. Meets first Friday of the month
Methodist Church, 26 School Road, Tilehurst, READING RG31 5AN
Call: 0118 942 7128 Visit: www.tilehurstmethodist.org.uk Email:
Depression Xpression
Peer-led social support group for anyone feeling anxious, sad, isolated or depressed.The group is confidential and non-judgemental. All welcome.
Reading International Solidarity Centre (RISC), 35-39 London Street, Reading RG1 4PS
Call: 07462 784 314 Visit: www.depressionxpression.co.uk E-mail
Anxiety Alliance
Advice and support for anxiety disorders such as General Anxiety Disorder (GAD), phobia, panic attacks or OCD
Support line open 10am - 10pm.
Call: 0845 296 7877 Visit www.anxietyalliance.org.uk Email
Papyrus
Support for young people dealing with suicide, depression or emotional distress - particularly teenagers and young adults.
If you are a young person at risk of suicide or are worried about a young person atrisk of suicide, please contact the help line.
Call: 0800 068 4141/01925 572 444 Visit: www.papyrus-uk.org Email
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)
A national charity that aims to prevent male suicide and to support those who have been bereaved by suicide.
Call: 0800 58 58 58 Visit: thecalmzone.net
Samaritans
If you are worried, anxious, depressed or suicidal the Samaritans offer safe, confidential support so you can talk about your problems, make sense of your situation and understand your options.
Face to face: 59a Cholmeley Road, Reading RG1 3NB (open 11am -10pm - call 0118 926 6333 before you come)
24/7 Helpline: 116 123 Visit www.samaritans.org E-mail
Community Mental Health Services
If you are an adult (18 years +), live in Berkshire and are registered with a GP you may be eligible for support from the Community Mental Health Team (Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust)
Community Mental Health Team
Provides support people with severe and complex mental health needs.
You can refer yourself or be referred by your GP, family or friends through the Common Point of Entry service
CPE (new referrals): 0300 365 0300
Mental Health Crisis Service
24/7 service providing support to people who are:
§ in an acute phase of serious mental illness, or are suspected of having an acute mental illness. This can include service users who have a dual diagnosis.
§ suffering a relapse of a long term mental illness
§ vulnerable or at risk of harm to yourself or others or if you cannot be safely supported in a community setting without an intensive level of support, care and treatment.
If you experience a crisis contact the Community Mental Health Team out of hours crisis service
Call: 0300 365 99 99
Compass Recovery College
The Recovery College offers a range of courses, sessions and social activities which are designed to help you take control and become an expert in your own wellbeing and recovery and lead a fulfilling life despite mental health challenges.
Activities are run by people with lived experience of mental health problems and professionals, and are open to service users, families/carers and professionals.
Call: 0118 9373945 Email
Peer led social and community based activities (Compass)
There are a number of social groups and activities which are run by people with lived experience of mental health problems for people with mental health problems, their families and friends. All Welcome
Network Group / Mon / 2-4pm / Greyfriar’s church, Friar StreetReadipop / Mon / 12-2pm / Southcote Community Centre, 85 Coronation Square / 0118 938 7156
Tea Kiosk / Tues & Weds / 11am-5pm / Caversham Court Gardens, Caversham / May - Oct
Coffee & Chat / Weds / 10.30-11.30am / Pret a Manger, Broad Steet
Thurs / 10-11.30am / Debenhams (riverside)
Walking and Talking / Weds / 11.30am-12.30pm / Meet in Prospect Hospital Car park
Community social Group (25+) / Various / Various / Call Chris 07590 485 830
Art Cafe / Weds / 1-4pm / Church House, Caversham
Badminton / Thurs / 12-1pm / Meadway Sports centre
Circle of Friends promoting wellbeing for mums / Fri / 12-2pm / Salvation Army, Oxford Road
Money & Debt Advice
Worrying about debt and money can have a negative impact on your health. There are free and confidential services in Reading that can give you advice, help you to complete paperwork and even take over the management of your debts so that you won’t have to deal directly with the creditors yourself.
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
FREE Independent confidential advice on a range of issues, including money and debt.
Drop in (Mon-Fri 10am-12.30pm & 1-4pm (not Weds morning) CAB, Minister Street, Reading RG1 2JB
Call: 03444 111 306 Visit: rcab.org.uk
Reading Community Welfare Rights Unit
FREE welfare benefits, debt & housing advice.
101 Oxford Road, Reading RG1 7UD
Call for an appointment 0118 955 1070 Visit www.readingcommunitywelfarerightsunit.co.uk
Reading Frontline
FREE independent debt and benefits advice
84 Queens Road Reading RG1 4BW
Call: 0118 9569 300 Visit: frontlinedebtadvice.org.uk Email:
Communicare
Practical help, information and advice on a range of issues including: welfare benefits, housing, debt, employment, health, living with disabilities, legal issues, divorce and separation plus support with form filling and letter writing.
Tel: 0118 926 3941 Visit: www.communicare.org.uk Email:
N:Quire
Service for residents in west Reading providing help with welfare benefits, debt referrals, budgeting and form filling
Call: 0118 959 8558 Visit: www.nquireadvice.org.uk Email:
Grange United Reformed Church, Circuit Lane, Southcote, Reading, RG30 3HD
CAP (Christians Against Poverty)
Trained debt counsellors providing help with budgeting, negotiating with creditors, petitioning for bankruptcy.
Call: 01274 760 720 Visit: capuk.org Email:
Specialist support
As well as coping with a mental illness you may need some specialist support from to help you cope with other health issues or a disability. Search the Reading Services Guide or speak to your GP surgery for advice.
SupportU
LGBT charity offering a range of information and support services including one-to-one, secure messaging, telephone and drop-in sessions, peer support, social groups, counselling and mediation (including workplace mediation)
Tel: 0118 321 9111 Visit: www.supportu.org.uk Email: .
British Sign Languages Psychologies Service
BSL Healthy Mindshave qualified therapists who use BSLTherapy for culturally Deaf BSL users.
The Service works within the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Ethical Framework and the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) Code of Ethics.
Ask your GP to refer you, or self-refer.
Tel: 07966 976 747/01494 687 606 Email:
Carers support
If you look after someone who is dependent on you for support you are a carer. As a carer it is important to look after your own physical and mental health.
The Carer’s Hub Berkshire
The Hub provides specialist information, advice and support for carers
Call: 0118 324 7333 visit: www.berkshirecarershub.org email:
National Mental Health Charities
Rethink Mental Illness
National charity providing information and advice on conditions, treatment and support
Visit: www.rethink.org
Mental Health Foundation
Leading mental health charity providing information and advice of mental health issues
Visit: www.mentalhealth.org.uk/your-mental-health
Sane
National Charity providing information advice and support to people with mental health problems, their families and carers
Call SANEline 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm – 10.30pm) Visit: www.sane.org.uk