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 Leisure centres across West Berkshire are offering free membership to people who are living with Parkinson’s disease in a new initiative alongside Parkinson's UK.
The free membership will give access to gym, swim and group exercise classes, as well as online Synergy Dance classes. A free membership will also be given to carers to provide support if needed.
Parkinson’s is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world and there is currently no cure. It affects around 145,000 people in the UK and there are more than 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety. People living with the condition find various activities, such as walking and dance, beneficial in managing their symptoms.
Tom Ingram, corporate partnerships manager at Parkinson’s UK, said: “Developing a regular physical activity habit can make a person feel more in control when living with the condition. Quality of life can be enhanced and independence and confidence maintained. We hope that with the support of Everyone Active, the Parkinson’s community can enjoy physical activity and use it to make a real difference to their lives.”
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Summer Reading Challenge 2023 |
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 Our Summer Reading Challenge 2023 is off to a fantastic start with over 1,500 children already taking part!
There's still time to join in. Children aged 4-11 can visit their local library to sign up and read up to six library books by 15 September and collect free incentives for their achievements as they read – with medals, certificates and a free swim voucher provided by Everyone Active for everyone who completes the challenge.
This year's theme is ‘Ready, Set, Read!’ which is delivered in partnership with national children's charity Youth Sport Trust and aims to empower young people to unleash the power of play, sport and physical activity through reading.
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 Before (left), after (right)
We've been working with children in primary schools to consider the impact they have in their community. The children were given a participatory budgeting pack and encouraged to discuss ideas, vote on all details of the project and then complete the project.
As part of Spurcroft's legacy project, the pupils voted to focus on improving the pond area. They researched plants, before clearing the pond of rubbish, debris and weeds. They then planted new oxygenating plants and painted rocks to decorate the area. The children also purchased pond dipping nets and made posters telling younger children how to use the pond area safely.
The Year Six pupils who have now left the primary school have passed this legacy on to the new Year Six class who will continue the upkeep of the area.
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With over 1,500 members of staff corporately, plus additional members of staff working across our local schools and education settings, we're one of the largest employers in the area. There are lots of reasons to consider a career with us - from the wide range of services we provide to the training and benefits we offer.
Current vacancies include:
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 David Elliott, our Museum Operations Manager, hosted a work experience placement at West Berkshire Museum this week. David spent time walking through the exhibits, explaining how every staff member and volunteer has a role to play, and how a young person can volunteer to boost their CV.
The Museum currently has a featured exhibition on Thatcham that allows visitors to explore the parish's history through objects from the museum collection and the local community. The exhibition runs until 17 September.
West Berkshire Museum is free to enter and also welcomes visits from schools.
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We value your views on the decisions we take. There are several areas we are currently holding consultations on, including:
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 Did you know we hold regular fun activities and community events at our various locations in West Berkshire? This includes a 'Cruisers & Crawlers' session at our Central Family Hub in Thatcham, an art group at Lambourn Library and IT help at Hungerford Library. Click here to find out more!
You can also join us at Shaw House and West Berkshire Museum throughout the summer for our Family Activity and Messy Museum days. See more information below:
Family Activity Days: Wednesdays 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 August | 10am-3pm | Shaw House | No need to book, just drop-in | £2.50 per child
Messy Museum Days: Fridays 4, 11, 18 & 25 August | 10am-3pm | West Berkshire Museum | No need to book, just drop-in | £2.50 per child
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Shaw House open air sculpture exhibition |
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Opening this weekend is a stunning open air sculpture exhibition at Shaw House. Take a stroll around the Orangery Lawn where you can discover artworks by acclaimed sculptors until 24 September for free.
All works on display will be available for purchase. The house, shop and café will be open at weekends and during the school holidays.
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And finally...
- 'The Common People' is a play that tells the story of Maureen McBarron's childhood in an abandoned army camp in Bishop's Green, in the shadow of the USAF base at Greenham Common, in the early 1950s. Catch the play at Greenham Control Tower on 17, 18 and 19 August.
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