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Shared lives with Ryan, Lynne and Chris

Our Shared Lives carers are helping others to lead their best life - could you join them and open your home to someone?

Ryan became part of Lynne and Chris' family back in 2013. When fostering came to an end when Ryan became an adult at 18, he then became part of their family under Shared Lives.

Speaking of their Shared Lives experience, Lynne said: "We can't imagine what our lives would have been like without our wonderful Ryan. Rather than saying why would you want to be Shared Lives carers, why wouldn't you?"

Hear Ryan, Lynne and Chris talk about the life they share together as a Shared Lives family by clicking the button below.

If you would like to find out more about becoming a Shared Lives carer, please visit our website.

Changes to our Executive

New play equipment for Calcot

A new free-to-use Big Rig, cardio combo and resistance shoulder press has been installed by Tilehurst Parish Council at the recreation ground in Calcot. The equipment, which cost around £20,000, was paid for in part by West Berkshire Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy Fund (CIL) – a charge paid by developers which goes towards local infrastructure. It was match funded by Tilehurst Parish Council. Similar equipment installed at Turnham’s Farm recreation ground in 2023 has been well used by a wide range of ages and abilities - and has prompted similar equipment to be installed at Calcot. You can find out more about how CIL has funded projects worth £500,000 last year on our website.

Highways Community Forum next week

Send your questions to CommunityForumQuestions@westberks.gov.uk by midday Friday, 21 February.

Please register your attendance at CommunityForumQuestions@westberks.gov.uk and also state if you will attend in person or online. Online participants will receive the joining link closer to the time.

Keep up to date on road closures in your area by using the map of roadworks, including those of utility companies, on our website to plan your journeys. Click the link below for more information.

Kennet Leisure Centre refurbishments

Need additional recycling bags?

Now we collect plastic food pots, tubs and trays from the kerbside, are you struggling for space in your recycling bag? No problem! You can order additional bags online here. Please continue to use your existing recycling bags which can be used to recycle plastic bottles, tins, drink cans, aerosols and now plastic food pots, tubs and trays. We will only collect clean items and topping film/foil lids must be removed.

Did you know that we collect food waste every week?

What can be recycled with food waste: Plate Scrapings Meat, fish and bones Bread and pastries Fruit and vegetables (including potato peelings and fruit skins) Tea bags and coffee grounds Egg shells What can't be recycled with food waste: General household waste No large red meat bones Coal and ash Oil, liquids and fats Packaging of any sort Animal bedding and waste (e.g. dog poo) Residential properties should please leave their green food caddy at the kerbside by 6am on the day of collection. Using a compostable liner will help to keep it clean and reduce smells. Communal properties with a bin store should please place all food waste in the purple bins provided ensuring only compostable liners are used.

Planning for the future with Age UK

Getting older may mean you or a loved one need more support and information about how to keep living the life you want. But the care system can be a puzzle.

We’ve teamed up with Surrey County Council and Age UK Surrey to give you the answers you need around your options, finances and much more at a free online event on Tuesday 11 March at 7pm.

The presentation will be delivered by Age UK Surrey but it’s relevant for us all, no matter where we live.

Berkshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy

West Berkshire communities are invited to have their say on the Berkshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy which will set out actions to protect the biodiversity of local areas, reduce the impact of climate change and boost the benefits from local nature.

Berkshire has a beautifully diverse landscape and feedback from residents, landowners and communities will help councils across Berkshire to create the right strategy to assist nature recovery across our county.

Residents can leave their comments and add pins to a Local Habitat Map by visiting the consultation website before Monday 24 March. There will also be a drop in session at Newbury Library on Friday 21 February, 12-3pm.

Anyone can watch our Council and Committee meetings in person at our Market Street offices in Newbury and live on our YouTube channel to view the important decisions made by councillors on issues such as planning, waste services and schools.

Upcoming public meetings include:

• Western Area Planning Committee - Wednesday 19 February 6.30 pm
• Budget Meeting, Council - Thursday 27 February 5.30 pm

• Eastern Area Planning Committee - Wednesday 5 March 6.30 pm

Community Alcohol Partnership achievement in the ‘Spotlight’

West Berkshire Council and Newbury College are to receive a special national award from the Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP).

The Spotlight Award will be new at this year’s CAP Awards and has been given in recognition of all the work the Council and the College have carried out together (as West Berkshire CAP) over the last year and the impact that work is having in tackling underage drinking.

In the letter from CAP about the award, Kate Winstanley, Director of Community Alcohol Partnerships said,

“Through your efforts, you are demonstrating exceptional leadership, making a real difference in tackling local challenges and fostering a safer, stronger community for children and young people. The positive changes you are bringing stand as an inspiration to all, and we are honoured to celebrate this well-deserved achievement with you.”

Representatives from the Council and College will receive the Spotlight Award at a special event at the Houses of Parliament in April. 

Loan sharks are always on the hunt…

Taking out a loan can be confusing and stressful at the best of times. How do you know you’re borrowing from a reputable lender and that you haven’t fallen prey to one of the many predatory loan sharks? The Public Protection Partnership together with the England Illegal Money Lending Team are holding a special Loan Shark Awareness event on Monday 3 March, 6-7.30pm at our Council Offices in Newbury. They’ll talk about how to spot if a money lender is legitimate, how to spot a loan shark and what to do if you, or someone you know, has borrowed from a loan shark. No booking required, just come along at 6pm.

Fire and Rescue Service safe and well visits

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) want to check in on people who may struggle to get out of their home in an emergency.

When a smoke alarm goes off, most people can get out of their homes and call 999. Most, but not all.

Can you think of anyone that doesn’t have an alarm, might not react to an alarm, or can’t easily evacuate their home if their smoke alarm was to activate?

If the answer to any of those questions is yes, please visit the RBFRS website to help keep our communities safe. You can also call the freephone 0800 587 6679 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, or use the answerphone available outside of these times.

Students used as money mules

Students struggling for money are often looked at as being perfect targets to become 'money mules'. Nearly a quarter (24%) of those hired to shift cash for criminals are aged between 19 and 25.

Friends Against Scams’ are promoting a campaign which aims to help students to learn more about protecting themselves from scams and fraud. You can read more about the scheme here.

You can protect yourself from becoming a money mule by taking these steps:          

• Protect - take steps to protect yourself and your friends
• Risks - think about all the risks for your future
• Identity - recruiters will often use a fake identity
• Crime - money mules are committing a crime
• Educate - learn about the dangers of becoming a money mule

Here's how you can get help if you or someone you know has become a money mule:

• Break contact and don’t move any more money
• Speak to another adult that you trust
• Contact your bank as soon as possible, they may have a specialist team that will be able to help you

You can report concerns about money mule recruiters to local Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

To find out more contact Trading Standards on 01635 519930 or email tsadvice@westberks.gov.uk. You can also call Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506.

Risking it All performance a success!

At the beginning of February, a production of ‘Risking it All’ from 2engage Theatre company toured secondary schools in West Berkshire presenting the true stories of young people affected by child exploitation. Over 2000 young people saw the production which includes a workshop to discuss the risks facing the characters and crucially how these characters could seek help and support. Arlington arts centre also hosted a parents and professionals performance. With around 100 in attendance, the evening was a great success with feedback from parents praising the quality of the performance, the facilitation of discussion and how much they appreciated the opportunity to view the show.

And finally...

• Fostering is a vital service that provides children and young people with safe and nurturing homes when they cannot live with their birth families. However, we know that several myths about fostering may deter potential carers from coming forward. Check out our Facebook page where we've busted those myths and given facts to encourage people thinking about fostering. You can download our information pack for more details here.