Charities and organisations share £4.02m to reduce inequalities in Reading

Creating long-term changes in people’s lives is the task of Reading’s charities and community organisations that have been awarded a share of over £4million.

Projects which improve residents’ health and wellbeing, reduce loneliness and inequalities, and provide support for carers and those facing poverty and debt, have all been funded.

The Closing the Gap project is a main priority for the Council and an example of how it works with partners to reduce inequalities. This is through a strong local voluntary and community sector to create resilience, independence, and wellbeing for residents, and helping people with poverty and debt.

The successful organisations faced a rigorous procurement process in 17 project categories, which have been refined and increased from 13 in the previous distribution of funds. They each had to demonstrate an ability to effect change and benefit the lives of residents who need them.

The funding totals £4.02 million over three years, with the option to extend to five years bringing total funding up to £6.8 million.

Cllr Liz Terry, Leader of the Council, said: “The Council recognises that even with the funding it has available, this is not enough to support all the really great voluntary and community organisations working hard in our town to support people.

“The money that has been awarded to local voluntary sector organisations for an initial three-year period, provides the best support the Council can offer to provide the biggest benefit to residents and help tackle the inequalities which we know exist.

“We thank every organisation which took the time to apply. Not every organisation could be successful given the number of organisations that put in bids.”

The categories and the organisations and partnerships awarded the contracts, are below.

Carers Support - Improving quality of the life, health and wellbeing of carers through access to advice and timely support. 

• Reading and West Berks Carers Partnership is comprised of Reading Mencap, Age UK Reading, Age UK Berkshire and CommuniCare. A service to support carers by providing timely, impartial, and culturally appropriate advice and information to help reduce stress and prevent crises. They will offer carers assessments and promote awareness through community events and support groups.

Cost of Living Support - Reducing the impacts of poverty and deprivation by providing practical tools, advice and assistance to communities and individuals. 

• Citizens Advice Reading Partnership, including ACRE, Launchpad and WCDA. The service aims to reduce poverty and prevent crises. It combines community-based Advice First Aid training community volunteers to identify and refer people in need— with specialist advice and casework to help residents increase income, manage expenses, and build financial resilience.

Ageing Well Support - Providing older people and people with dementia with services that will support their mental wellbeing and ability to remain independent for longer. 

• Age UK partnership, including Age UK Berkshire, Age UK Reading, Communicare and Engage Befriending. The partnership will provide coordinated support for older people and those living with dementia, helping people stay mentally well and live independently.

Debt Support - This service aims to support individuals to reduce/manage their level of debt, looking to stabilise and improve their financial position.

• Citizens Advice Reading will deliver personalised, Financial Conduct Authority compliant debt advice and budgeting support to help Reading residents manage debt, improve financial stability, and boost wellbeing. A trained team provides tailored action plans, assists with debt solutions, and connects clients to wider support services.

Women’s Wellbeing Support - Supporting and empowering women at risk of poor health outcomes to address their needs, whilst increasing their resilience, wellbeing and independence.

• Integrated Women’s Wellbeing Partnership Consortium, includes Berkshire Women’s Aid, Reading Community Learning Centre, Utulivu Women’s Group, Get Berkshire Active, and Project Salama.
• The partnership supports and empowers women at risk of poor health outcomes. It works to reduce health inequalities and supports women with mental health, domestic abuse advocacy, health education, maternity support, and physical activity. Services will be delivered via outreach, drop-ins, and digital platforms, with a focus on prevention, rapid response, and long-term recovery. 

Hospital to Home - Facilitating a safe transition back home, minimising hospital readmissions and enabling people to continue living at home independently

• Age UK will support adults who need extra help when leaving hospital. It focuses on helping people stay independent for longer by providing timely, joined up support that prevents health and care needs from escalating. This includes using home adaptations and technology, as well as offering support to unpaid carers. The service works to make hospital discharges quicker and smoother, helping people recover comfortably at home and reducing the chances of avoidable hospital readmissions or the need for long term residential care.

Ethnically Diverse Communities Support - Promoting joint working, expanding outreach initiatives and addressing inequalities through community support provision which improves wellbeing and health outcomes.

• ACRE will lead the way in supporting ethnically diverse communities by bringing local organisations together, expanding outreach efforts, and reducing inequalities to improve health and wellbeing.

Refugee Support - Improve access to services for refugees and asylum seekers in Reading, including healthcare services; education and skills development; mentorship and support networks; advocacy support; social inclusion and community integration; and mental health and wellbeing support.

• Reading Refugee Support Group, in partnership with Reading Community Learning Centre.
• The service will deliver tailored support to refugees and asylum seekers in Reading, focusing on social inclusion, advice, education, and wellbeing. 

Young People’s Wellbeing Support - Provide young people at risk of poor health outcomes and social isolation with preventative emotional wellbeing support.

• Mustard Tree will offer safe, engaging spaces, tailored mentoring, and access to local activities shaped by young people. Working with schools and partners, it removes barriers to participation and delivers targeted support to improve wellbeing, confidence, and community connection for young people at risk of poor health outcomes and social isolation.

Visual Impairment Support - Offer person centred, tailored support to adults who live with sight loss, with a focus on information and advice and increased social interaction, improved wellbeing and reduced social isolation and loneliness. 

• Berkshire Vision will offer personalised support to adults living with sight loss. It will carry out specialist assessments to understand needs and help people in the community live as independently as possible.

Men’s Mental Health Support - Support for men’s mental health, particularly around early intervention and social interaction for suicide prevention, with a focus on areas of deprivation. 

• Together for Mental Wellbeing will work with individuals experiencing a range of difficulties in their life in a way that empowers the individual to lead their own journey to better wellbeing. The service will centre on early intervention and building social connections to help prevent suicide, with an emphasis on areas facing deprivation. The service will create safe spaces where men can build support networks and openly discuss mental health and reduce stigma.

LGBTQ+ Support - Support and empower the LGBTQIA+ community for improved wellbeing and reduced loneliness and social isolation.

• Thames Valley Positive Support will work to empower the LGBTQIA+ community, focusing on improving wellbeing and reducing social isolation through tailored mental health and wellbeing support.

Autism Support - Support and empower autistic adults to live well independently and improve their wellbeing. 

• Autism Berkshire will provide tailored support to adults who have an autism diagnosis or are awaiting assessment offering advice and assistance.

Learning Disabilities Support - Support and empower adults with a learning disability to live well independently, to live a fulfilling life and connect with the wider community.

• Reading Mencap will support adults with learning disabilities and their families by providing information, advice, and practical help to promote independence and wellbeing. They will assist with accessing services such as healthcare and education and work closely with employment and training services.

HIV Support - Supporting individuals with a positive HIV diagnosis for improved wellbeing and reduced loneliness and social isolation.

• Thames Valley Positive Support will provide support for individuals living with a positive HIV diagnosis by providing mental health and emotional support, including one-to-one and peer support opportunities, to help manage stress, stigma, and related challenges.

Deaf and Hearing Loss Support - Offer person centred, tailored support to adults who have been born deaf or with a hearing impairment and adults who have become deaf or have developed a hearing impairment during their life, with a focus on information and advice and increased social interaction, improved wellbeing and reduced social isolation and loneliness. 

• Reading Deaf Centre will support and promote the interests and welfare of deaf, hearing impaired, deaf-blind people and deaf carers. The service will offer personalised, tailored support, with a focus on providing clear information and advice to help people access local healthcare, education, and community resources.

Physical Disabilities Support - Support and empower adults with a physical disability to live well independently, improve their wellbeing and reduce loneliness.  

• Enrych Berkshire will support adults with a physical disability to take part in social, leisure and learning activities. The service will provide information and advice on accessing local healthcare, education, and community resources.