General Information
Parent Champions – Brighter Futures for Children are recruiting volunteers for the Parent Champion Scheme. Further information can be found here
Information for Parents
2 Year Old Funding – children may be eligible to 2 year funding if families are in receipt of certain benefits or other criteria.
30 Hours Childcare – working parents of 3 & 4 year olds may be eligible to an additional 15 hours funding (30 hours childcare). To find out more visit https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ or 3 & 4 Year Old Free Early Years Funding
Holiday Activities and Food Scheme – registration is now open for the summer.
Reading Information Advice and Support Service for SEND – Offering free confidential and impartial information advice and support to Reading parents/carers who have children/young people with SEND and to the children and young people directly, if required.
SEND Guide for Parent Carers – to help families access information on local SEND services for children, young people with additional needs.
The Family Information Service/SEND Local Offer need your help – please could you spend a few minutes to complete the SEND Local Offer Survey, which can be completed here. Survey ends Friday 5 November.
Activities
Activities and support for children, young people and families in Reading
Forbury Fiesta – will be returning to Forbury Gardens on Saturday 6 May. This will be the highlight of 2023 Children’s Festival and also the flagship Coronation Day event in Reading. There will be so much for families to be involved with and enjoy including a main stage of music and dance, sports area, arts and crafts and plenty from toddlers to teens to enjoy and of course you! Starting time of 12noon because of the Coronation service taking place in the morning.
Reading Youth – your one stop shop for all things ‘youth’ in Reading
Special Needs Activities in Reading and surrounding areas
Things to do – Reading Services Guide
Counselling Services
ARC (Young People’s Information and Counselling Service)– We provide a free counselling, advice and information service, primarily for children, young people and their families. We also provide training for teachers and help to set up anti-bullying schemes.
Kooth – It’s available for 11-18 year-old years, seven days a week, from 12 midday to 10pm week nights and from 6pm-10pm on Saturdays and Sundays. As well as the counselling (which is accredited by The British Association of Psychotherapy and Counselling), Kooth also offers moderated forums and self-help articles.
No5 Young People – No5 offers a free, confidential counselling and mental health support to young people aged 11-25 who live, work or study in the RG postcode area.
Source – Reading’s Young People’s Drug & Alcohol service. They work with young people under 18 years old or up to 25 if they are vulnerable adults or have learning difficulties.
Young People and Mental Health