• Advice
• Helpline
• Website

BPAS Reading

BPAS is the UK’s leading provider of NHS-funded abortion care.

Telephone: 0345 730 4030

Website: www.bpas.org

• Advice
• Website

Asthma Inhaler Technique

Inhalers can be tricky to use, and even if you think your inhaler technique is correct, it might not be!

Website: www.berkshirewestccg.nhs.uk

• Advice
• Website

Daytime Sleepiness

Narcolepsy is a rare long-term brain disorder that causes a person to suddenly fall asleep at inappropriate times. To find out more visit NHS Choices.

Website: www.nhs.uk

Recommended reading

Reading Well promotes the benefits of reading for health and wellbeing. The programme has two strands: Books on Prescription and Mood-boosting Books.

Website: reading-well.org.uk

Parkinson's UK

Our self-management programme is designed to
help you navigate your life with Parkinson’s and plan
for the future.
The aim is to share experiences and discuss the
practical and emotional impact of Parkinson’s.
The programme is for people with Parkinson’s,
partners and carers, and it’s available through
face-to-face or online groups.

For more information

• Advice
• Website

NHS - COPD

NHS Menopause Symptoms

For menopause symptom information from the NHS

Website: www.nhs.uk

Alana House

Alana House is an innovative women’s community solution that 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: 0118 921 7640 

Website: www.pactcharity.org

BWA

BWA provides a range of services to enable people in situations of domestic abuse to make choices about their future and to rebuild their lives.

Telephone: 0118 950 4003

Website: www.berkshirewomensaid.org.uk

Email: iinfo@bwaid.org.uk

Karma Nirvana

• Advice
• Email
• Helpline
• Website

Trust House Reading

Support for survivors of rape, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation.

Telephone: 0118 958 4033

Website: trusthousereading.org

Email: office@trusthousereading.org

• Advice
• Email
• Helpline
• Website

Rahab

The Rahab Project is dedicated to identifying and supporting those who are or have been affected by any form of exploitation through raising awareness, offering support and empowerment.

Telephone: 0118 956 7000

Website: rva.org.uk

Email: admin@rahab.co.uk

Beat

We are 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.

Telephone: 0808 801 0677

Website: www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk

Email: help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk.

Stop Men Dying Too Young

Together we can make a difference for men’s health – in prostate cancer,
testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.

Website: uk.movember.com

Cancer Support

For information on how to use your Bowel Screening Kit, or how to Check Your Breasts, please visit our Cancer Support Page.

Berkshire Breast Cancer Support Group

Berkshire Breast Cancer Support Group is for anyone who has or had breast cancer in Berkshire, UK. We share queries, information, support and fun and we also meet up.

Facebook: BerkshireBreastCancerSupportGroup

Email: bbcsg@outlook.com

Testicular Cancer Awareness

In the UK, testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 15-49.

Website: uk.movember.com

Carers UK

They’re here to make sure that no matter how complicated your query or your experience, you don’t have to care alone.

Telephone: 020 7378 4999

Website: www.carersuk.org

Carers Hub

Carers Trust provides a range of support and services which can be accessed via the Carers Hub – funded by Reading Borough Council, West Berkshire Council, North & West Reading CCG, South Reading CCG and Newbury & District CCG.

Telephone: 0118 324 7333

Website: www.berkshirecarershub.org

Reading Crossroads Care

Crossroads Care Reading is committed to providing practical support in the home in order to enable carers to have a break from their caring responsibilities.

Telephone: 0118 945 4209

Website: www.readingcrossroadscare.org

Rally Round

A free online service for friends and family to come together and help a loved one stay safe and well at home.

Website: www.rallyroundme.com

Jointly by Carers UK

An app to create a circle of care and easily manage communication and coordination of caring tasks.

Website: www.jointlyapp.com

Dementia Carers Count

Our charity is for family carers of people with dementia, the dementia and carer communities and everyone who supports our aims.

Family carers can be wives, partners, husbands, children, brothers, sisters, in-laws, close friends, grandchildren – in fact, anyone looking after someone with dementia.

Telephone: 020 3096 7894

Website: www.dementiacarers.org.uk

The Berkshire Child Health App

A new app has been created with advice on a wide range of common childhood illnesses.

Download from: play.google.com

Download from: itunes.apple.com

• Advice
• Helpline
• Website

Childline

Confidential help and advice

Telephone: 0800 1111

Website: wwww.childline.org.uk

Vaccination planner

Download a personalised vaccination calendar, which highlights the dates your child needs to have their vaccinations by.

Download from: www.nhs.uk

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

Carers Hub

Carers Trust provides a range of support and services which can be accessed via the Carers Hub – funded by Reading Borough Council, West Berkshire Council, North & West Reading CCG, South Reading CCG and Newbury & District CCG.

Telephone: 0118 324 7333

Website: www.berkshirecarershub.org

• Email
• Helpline
• Website

The Edge West Berks

We work with young people up to the age of 18 and their families/carers who are affected by drugs or alcohol.

The Edge is a really friendly environment where young people can feel relaxed and safe. The Edge is situated in Newbury town centre, next to the canal and Victoria Park.

Telephone: (01635) 582002

Website: www.edgecrew.co.uk

Further Information: Leaflet

Reading Mencap

Support for children and adults with learning disabilities and autism, and their carers.

Telephone: 0118 966 2518

Website: www.readingmencap.org.uk

• Advice
• Website

Citizens Advice

They aim to provide the advice people need for the problems they face and improve the policies and practices that affect people’s lives.

Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

• Advice
• Email
• Helpline
• Website

Alana House

Early intervention and support for vulnerable women.

Telephone: 0118 921 7640

Email: alana.house@pactcharity.org

Website: www.alanahouse.org

• Advice
• Email
• Helpline
• Website

Berkshire Women's Aid

Domestic Abuse Drop-in new time and location from 30th August 2017: Every Wednesday 10am to 3pm at Reading Voluntary Action (RVA), 3rd Floor, Cnetral Library, Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BQ. No need to book; just turn up and speak to BWA specialist support workers for advice and guidance.

You can also see us at Alana House, South St, Reading RG1 4RA on the second Wednesday of the month from 12.30 to 2.30pm.

Telephone: 0118 950 4003

Email: info@bwaid.org.uk

Website: www.berkshirewomensaid.org.uk

• Advice
• Email
• Helpline
• Website

Karma Nirvana

Supporting victims of honour-based abuse and forced marriage in the UK.

Telephone: 0800 5999 247

Email: info@karmanirvana.org.uk

Website: www.karmanirvana.org.uk

• Advice
• Helpline

Trust House Reading

Support for survivors of rape, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation.

Telephone: 0118 958 4033

• Helpline
• Tool

Standby Volunteer Transport

A voluntary organisation that can organise transport for patients with difficulties using public transport. The service is run by volunteers and they request a voluntary donation towards the cost of their petrol. The phone number below will allow you to leave a message on their answerphone to which a volunteer will call you back.

Telephone: 0118 9305 419

• Advice
• Tool
• Website

Reading Well Books on Prescription

Reading Well Books on Prescription helps you to understand and manage your health and wellbeing using self-help reading. The scheme is endorsed by health professionals and supported by public libraries.

Website: www.reading-well.org.uk

• Advice
• Tool
• Website

Social Care Info Point

Provides details of services, organisations and activities to support adults in West Berkshire to live independently.

Website: www.westberks.gov.uk

• Advice
• Website

Volunteer Centre West Berkshire

Here you can find out about the fantastic range of voluntary sector organisations in West Berkshire and the wide variety of services and activities they provide. There are currently around 800 services listed on our database, making it the definitive guide to the West Berkshire’s voluntary and community sector.

Website: www.empoweringwb.org.uk

• Advice
• Group

The Rose Centre

The Rose Centre is a specialist once-a-month drop in service for women affected by Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Leaflet: The Rose Centre (PDF)

• Advice
• Champion
• Group
• Website

Healthwatch

The independent national champion for people who use health and social care services. We’re here to make sure that those running services, and the government, put people at the heart of care.

Telephone: 03000 68 3000

Website: www.healthwatch.co.uk

• Advice
• Email
• Helpline
• Website

Elevate Me

Elevate Me is the place for young people and adults in Reading to get help, advice and support on careers guidance, employment, education and apprenticeships.

Telephone: 0118 937 2204

Website: reading.elevateme.org.uk

Email: elevate.berkshire@reading.gov.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.

Eye Screening

Drug addiction: Getting help

If you need treatment for drug addiction, you’re entitled to NHS care in the same way as anyone else who has a health problem.

With the right help and support, it’s possible for you to get drug free and stay that way.

•  Get help now

Swanswell Clinic

Swanswell is a national alcohol and drug charity that helps people change and be happy.

Website: www.swanswell.org

Breaking Free

Online support to help you Break Free from problems with drugs or alcohol.

Website: www.breakingfreeonline.com

Drinkaware Alcohol Self Assessment

Are you drinking too much? Take the drinkaware online test and get advice.

Website: www.drinkaware.co.uk

Drinkaware Online Tools & Apps

Online trackers and apps from Drinkaware to help you avoid harm from alcohol.

Website: www.drinkaware.co.uk

• Group
• Helpline
• Website

The Edge West Berks

We work with young people up to the age of 18 and their families/carers who are affected by drugs or alcohol.

The Edge is a really friendly environment where young people can feel relaxed and safe. The Edge is situated in Newbury town centre, next to the canal and Victoria Park.

Telephone: (01635) 582002

Website: www.edgecrew.co.uk

Further Information: Leaflet

• Advice
• Email
• Helpline

Source

Drug and alcohol services for young people aged under 18.

Telephone: 0118 901 5666

Email: source@reading.gov.uk

• Advice
• Helpline
• Website

IRiS

Drug and alcohol services for adults over age 18.

Telephone: 0118 956 7441

Website: www.inclusion.org

More information: Local Alcohol Resources

• Advice
• Helpline

National Drugs Helpline

Telephone: 0800 77 66 00

• Advice
• Helpline

Narcotics Anonymous

Telephone: 0300 999 1212

• Advice
• Group
• Website

Mutual Aid - Alcohol Support Groups

Why not take advantage of local and online peer support groups?

Website: www.smartrecovery.org

More information: Local group schedule

• Advice
• Group
• Tool
• Website

12 Addiction Recovery Apps

Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, texting, checking the weather — everyone seems to be on their smartphone these days. But are there any mobile apps for those in drug or alcohol recovery? Here is an up-to-date list of the most popular apps used for addiction recovery.

Website: www.russellwebster.com/recapps

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

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

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

Talking Therapies Berkshire

A friendly and approachable service that helps people with problems such as anxiety, depression, stress and phobias.

Website: www.talkingtherapies.berkshire.nhs.uk

British Pregnancy Advisory Service

If you discover that you have a pregnancy that you feel you are unable to continue with, BPAS will be here to support you to make a decision that is right for you.

Telephone: 03457 30 40 30

Website: www.bpas.org

Berkshire Healthcare

Discuss your mental health issues with someone locally.

Telephone: 01344 823333

• Advice
• Helpline
• Website

Sane

Emotional support for sufferers of mental illness, their families and carers.

Telephone: 0300 304 7000

Website: www.sane.org.uk

• Advice
• Website

East-West-Kids-Connect

East-West Kids-Connect was setup in 1995 by founder Mike Sarson to benefit the mental health and well-being of children, young people, and families through training in meditation and mindfulness techniques.

Website: www.eastwestkidsconnect.org.uk

• Advice
• Helpline

Mental Health Crisis Service

For those at risk of self harm.

Telephone: 0300 365 9999

• Advice
• Helpline
• Tool
• Website

BEAT

National charity for eating disorders and support

Telephone: 0845 634 1414 (over 25’s)
0845 634 7650 (under 25’s)

Text message support: 07786 201 820

• Advice
• Helpline
• Website

National Centre for Eating Disorders

Treatment and carer support.

Telephone: 0845 838 2040

Website: www.eating-disorders.org.uk

• Advice
• Tool
• Website

Emotional Wellbeing Berkshire

Your guide to local mental health services.

Website: www.emotionalwellbeingwestberkshire.co.uk

• Advice
• Group
• Website

Stress Less Workshops

Run by Talking Therapies Berkshire, the NEW Stress Less workshops will help your patients to understand stress, how it can affect them and learn techniques to help them manage their stress effectively.

Dates and locations of workshops

Website: www.talkingtherapies.berkshire.nhs.uk

• Advice
• Website

MindEd Hub

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

Website: www.minded.org.uk

The Little Blue Book of Sunshine

Life can be tough. If school is pants, you’re trying to figure out who you are and parents are stressing you out… then why wouldn’t you feel down on the world? But that’s rubbish if it means you feel bad about yourself, lose confidence or can’t bounce back. The Little Blue Book Of Sunshine explains some of the things you can do right now to feel better, or who to turn to if things feel too much

Website: www.thelittlebluebookofsunshine

• Advice
• Helpline
• Website

Young Minds

We’re leading the fight for a future where all young minds are supported and empowered, whatever the challenges. We’re here to make sure they get the best possible mental health support and have the resilience to overcome life’s difficulties.

Parents Helpline: 0808 802 5544

Website: youngminds.org.uk

• Advice
• Website

Heads Together

Heads Together is a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, which combines a campaign to tackle stigma and change the conversation on mental health with fundraising for a series of innovative new mental health services.

Website: www.headstogether.org.uk

• Advice
• Email
• Website

Emotional Health Academy

he Emotional Health Academy is West Berkshire’s early intervention emotional health service. The service opened in April 2016 and works alongside services in the public and voluntary sector, including GPs and schools, to strengthen wellbeing and resilience in West Berkshire children, young people and families.

Website: community.westberks.gov.uk

Email: Emotional.Health.Triage@westberks.gov.uk

• Advice
• Email
• Helpline
• Website

No5

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

Telephone: 0118 901 5668

Website: no5.org.uk

Email: info@no5.org.uk

• Advice
• Email
• Helpline
• Website

Sane

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

Telephone: 0300 304 7000

Website: www.sane.org.uk

Email: info@sane.org.uk

• Advice
• Website

East-West Kids-Connect

Meditation sessions are provided weekly in primary schools for 3 to 11 year-old pupils and outside school to children with their families.

Website: www.eastwestkidsconnect.org.uk

• Advice
• Helpline

Mental Health Crisis Service

For urgent health or if in risk of self harm

Telephone: 0300 365 9999

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

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

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

Age UK

Age UK is the country’s largest charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. We believe in a world where everyone can love later life and we work every day to achieve this.

Telephone: 0800 169 2081

Website: www.ageuk.org.uk

Dementia

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

Telephone: 0800 888 6678

Website: www.dementiauk.org

Silver Line

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

Telephone: 0800 4708 090

Website: www.thesilverline.org.uk

Parkinsons UK

Parkinsons UK provide expert information on every aspect of Parkinson’s so that people affected by the condition can stay in control of their lives.

Telephone: 0808 800 0303

Website: www.parkinsons.org.uk

• Advice
• Website

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

• Advice

Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis Decision Aids

These decision aids are to help you decide which treatments you choose for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis of the hip and knee.

Deciding what to do about Rheumatoid Arthritis

Deciding what to do about Osteoarthritis of the Hip

Osteoarthritis of the Knee

• Group

Reading Befrienders

Alzheimer’s Society UK is currently recruiting volunteer befrienders in the area. Get in touch to find out how you can make the most amazing difference to somebody living with dementia.

More information

Dementia Carers Count

Our charity is for family carers of people with dementia, the dementia and carer communities and everyone who supports our aims.

Family carers can be wives, partners, husbands, children, brothers, sisters, in-laws, close friends, grandchildren – in fact, anyone looking after someone with dementia.

Telephone: 020 3096 7894

Website: www.dementiacarers.org.uk

Dementia Friendly House Guide

If you have dementia, living at home gives you more independence and also means you can continue to enjoy your own familiar environment.

For more information 

Midwife Referral

When you first find out you’re pregnant, you can now self-refer directly to the midwife without coming into the surgery.

Self-refer online

Local Maternity Services

Royal Berkshire Hospital
John Radcliffe Hospital
Great Western Hospital

Royal Berks - Maternity Information

A library of information leaflets on pregnancy, tests and scans, labour and childbirth and more.

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:

Website: www.nhs.uk

Further information

Whatever you want to know about getting pregnant, being pregnant or caring for your new baby, you should find it here

Website: www.nhs.uk

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

• Advice
• Group
• Website

Reading Maternity Voices

Reading Maternity Voices is women, midwives, doctors and commissioners all working together to review and contribute to the development of local maternity care.

Website: www.readingmaternityvoices.org.uk

More information

The Florey walk-in clinic

Sexual Health clinics are available at the Florey Unit of the Royal Berks Hospital.

Telephone: 0118 322 7202

Download from: www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk

• Advice
• Website

Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence)

Find out what it is and how it can be treated.

Website: NHS.uk 

• Advice

Sexual Health STI's and Contraception

The Florey Unit

21a Craven Road

Reading

RG1 5LE

Drop in Monday – Friday 7am-7pm Saturday 9.30am-11am

Sexual Health Help Line

The Family Planning Association Sexual health help line can give you confidential information and advice.

Telephone: 0845 122 8690

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

Family Planning Association

They are a sexual health charity. They give straightforward information and support on sexual health, sex and relationships to everyone in the UK.

Telephone: 0300 1237123

Website: www.fpa.org.uk

Reading - Local Offer

We support children and young people (up to the age of 25) who have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). We provide advice, information and can carry out specialist assessments and give ongoing support where necessary.

We provide some services ourselves, and arrange and fund other services. You can see the full range or support available in our Local Offer

website: www.reading.gov.uk

West Berkshire - Local Offer

The Local Offer sets out provision which is available for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), aged 0 to 25, including education, health and social care services.

Website: www.westberks.gov.uk 

Wokingham - Local Offer

The Local Offer sets out provision which is available for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), aged 0 to 25, including education, health and social care services. website

website: www.wokingham.gov.uk

Smoke Free Life Berkshire

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

Telephone: 0800 622 6360

Website: www.smokefreelifeberkshire,.com

Quit with Bella

Your AI-Powered Personal Stop Smoking Robo-Coach

Download from: itunes.apple.com

Download from: play.google.com

Quit with help

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

Website: www.quitwithhelp.co.uk

NHS Smokefree - Mobile App

The Smokefree app can help you stop smoking by providing daily support and motivation. If you stay smokefree for the 4-week programme you’re up to five times more likely to stay quit for good.

Download from: play.google.com

Download from: itunes.apple.com

Couch to 5k

Take advantage of this FREE app to help you go from couch to walking / running 5KM.

Website: www.nhs.uk/oneyou

• Advice
• Website

Get Berkshire Active

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

Website: www.getberkshireactive.org

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. We’ve got options and support, whatever your lifestyle.

Website: www.weightwatchers.com