Now that summer is here and we can get together again, many people will be thinking about how they can get a little fitter. For some of us that might mean working out in the gym, but given that West Berkshire is blessed with so much lovely countryside a walk can be just as effective and more social.
Walking for Health is a national scheme to get everyone out walking. Walking is not only good exercise, it helps to combat loneliness and isolation - so it's good for everyone's physical health, and their mental health as well.
We organise Walking for Health locally and currently have 12 walking groups dotted around the district, each led by a team of enthusiastic volunteers. We want to expand the programme and need more walk leaders to help us make this happen.
If you like the outdoors and would like to help others enjoy it too, please get in touch.
We are pleased to announce that we have taken the decision to reduce the subscription rate for each garden waste bin by £4 on a one-off basis for the upcoming 2021/22 season, which begins on 30 August 2021.
The reduced 2021/22 subscription rate will be available to all garden waste customers including those who will be renewing their Direct Debit from last year and any new subscribers this year.
Last week we took the difficult decision to temporarily suspend our garden and food waste collection service for two weeks. This was due to temporary staff shortages as a result of a number of collection staff self-isolating and the impacts of the current nationwide HGV driver shortage.
Fortunately we have been able to resume the normal garden and food waste collection service from Tuesday (3 August). We would like to apologise again to affected residents for the inconvenience caused and thank them for their cooperation and understanding during this challenging time.
As an additional step to assist existing garden waste subscribers, we will also collect reasonable amounts of additional garden waste presented with green bins during their first collection after the service resumes. Please read our FAQs for further information including details on how to present any additional garden waste.
For more information and to subscribe go to our website here.
Our Shared Lives Programme was featured on Kennet Radio’s ‘Saturday Chatterday’ programme this week, with presenter Paul Walter speaking to Mel, a Shared Lives Carer, and Councillor Joanne Stewart, Executive Member for Adult Social Care.
Mel discussed how carers in the programme share their family life with the people they care for and how rewarding this can be. Cllr Stewart highlighted the benefits of the scheme for the adults who are cared for, for their families and for the carers who work with the scheme.
You can find out more by listening to the full interviews here.
Visit our website for more information about Shared Lives and to get in touch if you are interested in becoming a Shared Lives Carer.
Mel (centre) and two of the adults she supports
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