 
The new testing site at Thatcham Memorial Hall is up and running from today, replacing the previous one at Thatcham Rugby Club. All residents aged 16 and above are welcome to visit the testing site twice a week for free rapid Covid-19 testing (lateral flow testing) or to collect free home testing kits.
Appointments are not needed to visit our testing sites at Thatcham Memorial Hall, Burghfield Community Sports Association and Highwood Copse Primary School, but you can make one if you wish.
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Also launched today, the Hungerford mobile testing unit takes over from the former testing site at Hungerford Rugby Football Club. The mobile testing site is located at Church Street (Library) Car Park and people can collect lateral flow device home testing kits for twice-weekly lateral flow testing. There is no appointment system - people can simply turn up to collect their kits.
 You can pick up home testing kits from the new Hungerford mobile testing site at Church Street (Library) car park
For more information about testing site booking days/times and what you need to do before and after your lateral flow test, please click on the links below.
 Every vaccination gives us HOPE
 You may have seen the ‘Every vaccination gives us HOPE’ advert on TV and in social media. This is part of a nationwide campaign to encourage those under 50 years of age to have the Covid-19 vaccine during the second phase of the roll-out.
Adverts began this week to highlight the important part the vaccine is playing in preventing infection, hospitalisation and deaths as we keep going on the road back to recovery. The adverts will run on TV, radio, multicultural media, social media and billboards in key locations across the UK.
Pregnant women should have Covid-19 vaccine at the same time as others
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recently advised that pregnant women should be offered the Covid-19 vaccine at the same time as the rest of the population, based on their age and clinical risk group.
Pregnant women have also been told to seek advice from their clinician on the risks and benefits of vaccination, including the latest evidence on safety and which vaccines they should have.
Survey: Tell us what you think about the vaccine programme
The Covid vaccine is helping us to ease our way out of lockdown – we want to hear your views and experiences on it. Your feedback will help shape the ongoing vaccine programme and other health services for the future.
Your input will also help guide us on what information you would like to have and the best way for us to share the information.
Please take a few minutes to let us know your thoughts. Responses will remain anonymous and stored securely.
 Council Leader Lynne Doherty and Chief Executive Nick Carter look ahead to the annual council meeting next week (Tuesday 4 May, 7pm). There is a particular focus on the progress made so far on delivering the Council Strategy, the achievements to date and the priorities for the next two years.
Our latest fortnightly public Local Outbreak Engagement Board meeting took place on Monday, 26 April. Topics included: district recovery overview, vaccination programme update, local contact tracing, a Covid-19 situation update, and our Covid-related communications activities.
 Get Berkshire Active is continuing to run free gentle yoga online classes. See more information and course schedule.
Every Mind Matters - There are simple things we can do to take care of ourselves a bit more. Our website contains lots of tips on how you can look after your mental health and wellbeing during this uncertain time.
Free Recovery in Mind courses for adults - Mental health and wellbeing challenges are more common than you may think. If you have been struggling with your mental health since the pandemic began then take some time to invest in yourself with the Recovery in Mind online courses. The next course begins 9 June. Courses are free and you don't need a doctor's referral. See posters here and find out more at www.recoveryinmind.org.
Further mental health support - See more mental health resources on our website.
The children and young people of West Berkshire aged 4-17 years are being encouraged to tell the government about their experiences of the coronavirus pandemic and their hopes for the future.
The Big Ask survey is being led by the Children's Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza and will run until 19 May.
The survey results will help to identify the barriers preventing children from reaching their potential, put forward solutions and set ambitious goals for the country to achieve. The more children respond, the stronger the results will be!
There are four main versions of the survey, aimed at ages 4-5, 6-8, 9-12 and 13-17. There are also two easy read versions of the survey, and an adult version for parents, care leavers and people who work with children to share their views.
Please encourage the children and young people you know to take part via their school or college or the Children's Commissioner website.
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