Wellbeing Walk April 2025

50 Joys of Reading: People in Reading Share What Brings Them Joy

  • Dozens of Reading residents share their moments of joy as part of a local campaign for Mental Health Awareness month in May
  • Reading Joy project extended for Loneliness Awareness Week last week 

More than 50 moments of joy have been shared by Reading residents as part of a Council campaign aimed at helping neighbours and friends find their own daily joy.

The Reading Joy Project: Feel Good, Live Well began last month (May), which was Mental Health Awareness month. It’s received such a positive reaction Reading Borough Council continued it for Loneliness Awareness Week (9-15th June).

Some of those moments feature in a video created and shared by Reading Borough Council on its social channels and in its residents’ newsletter.

Examples of joys include spending time with family, nature, pets, in the sun and volunteering in the local community. Several joys were about how important local areas and events are to Reading’s residents, including Forbury Gardens, Harris Gardens and the upcoming Water Fest on Saturday 28 June.

Research shows that people who experience and recognise moments of daily joy tend to have better mental wellbeing and resilience.

Rachel Eden, Lead Councillor for Public Health at Reading Borough Council, said:

“It’s been fantastic to see residents getting involved in the Reading Joy Project.  Small, everyday moments of joy can have a big impact on our mental wellbeing, so we’re pleased the project has struck a chord with residents.

“Sometimes it can be really hard to find joy. The project tries to show that joy can be the smallest of things that uplift you, even when battling challenging things.

“We’ve had people share some deeply personal joys. I was particularly inspired by the survivor of domestic abuse whose joy is helping others who’ve experienced abuse, and the person who’s dealing with a gambling addiction whose child’s laughter brings them joy and reminds him that recovery is a daily act of progression.”

Many of the joys focused on time with family. Family of course is one of the biggest joys, but not everyone is lucky enough to have those closest to them around. The joy project also identified that many people experience joy and make friends through connecting with the local community, either joining events such as photography crafts and wellbeing walks, or by volunteering their time to help others.

Local resident, Monique Grindal from Tilehurst, who took part in the project said: “My joy is being creative with simple activities like crafts and photography. It’s not about being perfect and focusing on the outcome, but instead the joy of the process, learning new skills, not giving up and meeting new people. I also swim regularly at the local pool, and I’ve made new friends of all ages.”

For residents struggling to find their joy, Compass Recovery College offers mental health and wellbeing support. To access support through Compass Recovery College no formal diagnosis or medical referral is needed. For those needing more support, residents can access free support with no waiting list for common mental health challenges by visiting https://www.compassrecoverycollege.uk/, calling 01189 373 945 or emailing compass.opportunities@reading.gov.uk.

For more information contact:

Chloe Reynolds

chloe@bluelozenge.co.uk

07803408757

 

Notes to editors

Reading Borough Council's public health vision is to protect and improve the health and wellbeing of everyone who lives and works in Reading, while reducing health inequalities.

The Joy Project campaign was developed address key priorities for the council which is to promote good mental health and wellbeing for all children, young people and adults.

It aimed to Raise awareness of the importance of daily joy, highlight different parts of the Reading community, share their stories of joy to inspire and encourage self-care, as well as signpost to key support services for those struggling.

The research was conducted as part of The Big Joy Project.

[1] Aubrey, A. (2023). Can little actions bring big joy? Researchers find ‘micro-acts’ can boost well-being. [online] NPR. Available at: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/11/14/1212908276/can-little-actions-bring-big-joy-researchers-say-micro-acts-can-boost-well-being.

Current advice from the council on how people can support their mental health is to:

  • Connect with other people: local community groups, faith groups
  • Be physically active
  • Learn new skills
  • Practice mindfulness

The Reading Joy Project joys are:

  1. Being of service to my local community
  2. Being healthy and waking up to the sun
  3. The light which comes in when I open the curtains in the morning
  4. My family brings me daily joy and being able to speak to each other every day
  5. I am a domestic abuse survivor, and I find my joy in supporting those who have had similar experiences
  6. Supporting my community to make connections and sharing people doing great things brings me joy
  7. The sunshine and my pets
  8. Gaming brings me joy
  9. I love music and the sunshine
  10. Gaming with my online friends brings me joy
  11. Having healthy interactions with people
  12. My bike!
  13. My family and my work with Compass Recovery College supporting people
  14. My son
  15. Walking my dog
  16. Good health
  17. Singing in the car on the way to work
  18. All the amazing African food on offer in Reading
  19. Walking to work along the river in the morning and hearing the birds sing
  20. That feeling when I get off the bus in the evening knowing the working day is over I am home
  21. Spotting the sparrows on the birdfeeder outside my windows
  22. That first cup of tea in the morning
  23. River fest in the Abbey Quarter with flags waving, boat trips and the most amazing chaplaincy barge I was encouraged to step into and view. Such a mixture of love and peace we went back many times
  24. Spending my office lunch break on the beautiful seats facing the river. Reading is a magical place to ground yourself in and remind yourself of times before and fun still to be had
  25. Events in the Forbury Gardens; Armed Forces Day, music in the bandstand and Vegan Fiesta
  26. Lido treat
  27. Thames River Cruises
  28. Walks around the University and Harris Gardens
  29. Stopping for a drink at Park House, especially on a sunny afternoon
  30. Live music in Reading, there are so many excellent local musicians, and great people putting on gigs, some nights it's hard to choose which venue to go to. My favourites are Facebar, Butler and Turtle
  31. Theatres! Progress, Shinfield, Rabble are all great and have put on some quality productions.
  32. The community! Lots of really lovely, kind and caring people from all backgrounds all looking out for each other
  33. Looking at all the ducklings and goslings on the river as I walk to the station every morning
  34. Terry's Reading Walkabouts - so many lovely walks with historical facts and figures about local places and people
  35. Simple activities like crafts, photography, and nature walks.
  36. The satisfaction of completing tasks and the joy of learning new skills
  37. I go to various community activities like photography groups, book clubs, and knitting circles which the importance of social connection and community involvement in finding joy and well-being
  38. I find joy in not giving up, enjoying the process and not the outcome
  39. I’ve started to swim regularly and the social benefits of meeting new people of all ages
  40. A holistic approach to health, including proper nutrition, regular exercise and counselling to support weight loss journey
  41. Walking my rescue dog in Palmer Park
  42. I love the new campaign by Reading Council to share what's brings us joy in Reading. I thought I'd start with somewhere I'd not visited before today, and that's Blundells Copse in Tilehurst. It was beautiful. This was my first 1.4 miles of Marathon in May covered for pactcharity. Thanks for doing this joy filled campaign!
  43. I really love seeing the roses bloom this time of year and I wrote a poem inspired by them
  44. My joy is spending time with my family, sharing our struggles and working through them together
  45. I’m a foodie so I enjoy picking myself up a brownie as a little treat
  46. Making sure I always read a book on the train to work to switch off and be transported
  47. Walking through a green space or along the riversides when moving between Council buildings
  48. Spending some time giving plasma (can’t be daily joy but can be fortnightly)
  49. Checking what the Blade Peregrine Falcons are up to on the webcam when having a cup of tea
  50. Reading with family at night time
  51. Having a coffee (ideally over a meeting at the Pantry (and using my staff discount)
  52. Watching the wildlife on the Holybrook
  53. Laughing at South Street
  54. Seeing the Night Riviera Sleeper train in the morning and remembering trips of the past/imagining the ones in the future
  55. I LOVE Shed, Dee Caf and Cafe Yolk!
  56. Fidget & Bob, Thai Corner, The Moderation, Griffin and Veggievores all do great fresh food, and a lovely places, thanks to their staff and owners
  57. The Back of Beyond is amazing and great value for money
  58. London Street Brasserie... THE best restaurant in Reading, without a doubt
  59. Thank you so much for reaching out — and for the incredibly important work you're doing with the Reading Joy Project. As someone with lived experience of gambling addiction, I know how difficult it can be to recognise or feel joy while struggling silently. That’s why this initiative matters — it reminds people that even small, sacred moments can carry us through. For me, my daily joy is hearing my young son’s laughter in the morning. It reminds me that choosing to live was the beginning of my healing — and that recovery is a daily act of progression, not perfection.
  60. Creativity in all its glorious and messy forms
  61. My grandchildren
  62. Spending time with my grandchildren
  63. Being out in nature and watching the sun rise
  64. Supporting women going through menopause
  65. This is our joy, a new free online cafe ‘Heart of Recovery’ supporting those in recovery
  66. Independent cafés and restaurants. You'll have your favourite, mine is Café YOLK on the Erleigh Road. My special treat is their full Canadian breakfast.
  67. Being with my cats everyday – being woken up by them tapping me wanting me to fuss them, the little snores they make when they’re asleep on the bed, them talking to me in the kitchen when I get home from work, etc. I’ve attached a photo of one of my cats – Tess – under the duvet on my bed. I’d just woken her up so she looks a little grumpy.
  68. Excited to find Lemon Balm growing in the cracked pavement of a driveway and to smell the scent. I love the smell, it makes me really happy.
  69. Joyful to find a mindfulness walking group where I can take my time and enjoy nature without rushing
  70. Every morning, I wait on the end of my bed for Mr Robin to come onto the fence. He makes my day, he really does!

Compass Recovery College: Offers a wide range of workshops as an educational route to recovery from mental health challenges and increasing positive wellbeing.

Phone: 0118 9373945 / Email: compass.opportunities@Reading.gov.uk

https://www.compassrecoverycollege.uk/about-us/ 

Compass Recovery College has a range of workshops on offer including:

  • Understanding low mood and depression
  • Managing emotions
  • Managing anxiety
  • Yoga and breath work for mental health
  • Stress reduction and selfcare

Compass Recovery College in Reading is primarily funded by Reading Borough Council, which commissions the organisation to provide mental health and wellbeing services for local residents. Additionally, the college receives funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), as evidenced by their regular data returns to this agency.