Wokingham Borough Connect
 Danyl Johnson to perform at the Mayor’s Dinner Dance
It’s almost time to get those glad rags and dancing shoes ready as the Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr Keith Baker MBE and Chance to Dance Stars CIC invite you to a fundraising dinner dance. The event has got even better. X-Factor star Danyl Johnson is making a special guest appearance and will be performing on the night.
The event takes place on Saturday 19 March from 6.30pm until midnight at Sindlesham Court.
All money raised goes to Chance to Dance Stars CIC, a dance school for students with disabilities.
Tickets for the glamorous evening cost £47 and include an arrival drink, followed by a three-course meal and a glass of wine. To purchase a ticket, please email Vicky at Chance to Dance Stars CIC at sendanceclub@hotmail.com
 Free bike checks this term
Dr Bike will be at Woodford Park Leisure Centre in Woodley this term, carrying out free bike checks to make sure your bike is roadworthy.
On Thursdays between now and the Easter Holidays, you can book a slot and we'll get our Dr Bike to diagnose any issues and if he can, he'll fix them for free!
If there are any parts needed or it's beyond the scope of the session, he'll let you know and give you some advice and options to get your bike ready to ride.
Visit our MyJourney Wokingham events page to find out more and book a slot.
 Cycle training for youngsters
Did you know we run regular cycle training sessions for youngsters in Finchampstead and Woodley? These are running on weekdays this term.
Balance Bike Club is aimed at those aged two to four. Sessions are free of charge but must be booked in advance.
Bikeability Learn to Ride sessions are for those aged five or older, who would like help learning to ride a bike without stabilisers. Each session costs £6. Here are some upcoming dates:
- Learn to Ride at FBC Centre, Finchampstead – 4pm to 5pm on Wednesdays
- Balance Bike Club at FBC Centre, Finchampstead – 2.15pm to 3pm on Wednesdays
- Learn to Ride at Woodford Park Leisure Centre, Woodley – 4pm to 5pm on Thursdays
- Balance Bike Club at Woodford Park Leisure Centre, Woodley – 2.15pm to 3pm on Thursdays
Sessions run weekly until the Easter school holidays, excluding half-term. Visit our MyJourney Wokingham events page to find out more and book a slot.
 Authors Online - Elizabeth Okoh
Our popular Authors Online talks continue into February when Elizabeth Okoh, a British Nigerian writer, creative director, content creator and photographer, will be joining us for an interview about her work on Tuesday 22 February at 7pm.
Okoh's work is inspired and influenced by social justice, Nigerian culture, immigration and living in the diaspora. Her debut novel The Returnees was published in 2020.
Email libraries@wokingham.gov.uk to sign up for this event.
 Enrol at the Wokingham Recovery College this year
The Wokingham Recovery College gives people with mental health problems the chance to access education, workshops and training programmes designed to help them on their road to recovery.
It aims to help people become experts in their own self-care and enable family, friends and staff to better understand mental health. Upcoming virtual classes for January include:
- Managing anxiety - 26 January, 2pm to 3.30pm
- Managing low mood - 20 January, 2pm to 3.30pm
- Have your say (shape our services and sessions) - 27 January, 10am to 11am
- Recovering Together (peer support group) - 31 January, 10am to 11.30am
Wokingham Recovery College accepts registrations from anyone aged 18 and over living in Wokingham Borough.
To enrol in the Recovery College, complete an online registration form available on our website and email it to recoverycollege@wokingham.gov.uk. If you need help filling out the form, call (0118) 989 0707 and the Recovery College team will support you.
 Sign up for an adult education course this January
If you are looking to learn new skills, or improve the ones you have, there's still time to sign up to one of Wokingham Adult Education's courses this spring.
Examples of courses starting in January include:
- Introduction to being a Teaching Assistant and working in schools, 24 January to 7 March, Mondays, 9.30am to 11.30am, Oakwood Centre, Woodley
- Mind over mood, 24 January to 28 February, Mondays, 12noon to 2pm, Woodley Hill House
- Building your confidence to get back into work or volunteering, 26 January to 16 February, Wednesdays, 9.30am to 11am, online via Zoom
- Being a carer, 31 January to 7 March, Mondays, 10am to 12noon, Bradbury Centre, Wokingham
View the full list of courses on the Wokingham Adult Education website.
To be eligible you need to:
Live or work within the Wokingham Borough, or have a child attending a Wokingham school:
- And be over 19 years old (as of 31st August 2021)
- And have ordinarily been resident in the EEA for at least three years. If you are an EEA National, you need to have obtained either pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
There are a number of exemptions including those for some asylum seekers or refugees. Please contact us on 07767 380722 or 07785 314603 if you wish to discuss any exemptions further.
 Free mental health events available
Mind in Berkshire, run by Oxfordshire Mind wellbeing workers, are running a series of free, virtual mental health sessions throughout the year aimed at improving mental health and wellbeing for Wokingham Borough residents.
Mental health first aiders forum
This forum allows you to network with other mental health first aiders in Wokingham Borough, share experiences and challenges and discuss how your invaluable skills, individually and collectively can be used as a force for good in the future.
The event takes place on 20 January from 10am to 11.30am and is suitable for residents who have completed mental health first aid (MHFA) training. To book your free place, visit Oxfordshire Mind's Eventbrite website.
Mental health and wellbeing community alliance
This alliance will help to develop and integrate the local voluntary community sector (VCS) offer of mental health and wellbeing provision in Wokingham Borough. The ultimate aim of the alliance is to improve the experience of people accessing mental health and wellbeing support through responding collaboratively to identified needs in the community.
The event takes place on 3 February from 2pm to 3.30pm and is suitable for VCS organisations and groups who focus on improving the mental health and wellbeing of people in Wokingham Borough. Please note only one person per VCS group can attend. To book your free place, visit Oxfordshire Mind's Eventbrite website
 Ease into 2022 with a new SHINE low intensity class
SHINE, our over 60s activities programme, has announced a brand new class, Low Intensity Interval Training (LIIT) and Stretch, that starts from 23 January.
The class focuses on low intensity interval training which helps to raise your heart rate without any impact on your joints, followed by focused stretch exercises to help improve your flexibility.
There are many benefits of LIIT including increased strength and endurance, improved joint mobility and elasticity, reduced injury risk and efficient weight loss. LIIT provides a balanced body workout that improves your health whilst minimising stress on your joints.
The one hour classes run on Sundays at 9.30am and must be booked on the Glofox booking website.
The upcoming classes take place in the Ashridge Room at Cantley Park on:
- Sunday 23 January
- Sunday 30 January
- Sunday 6 February
Book a single class or ten credit pack and receive a free credit
New and existing SHINE members can receive one free credit when booking a ten credit pack or a single class. You can use your free credit on any SHINE classes including zumba, pilates, tai chi, seated exercise, standing exercise to music, line dancing, nordic walking and more. To see the range of SHINE activities, please visit our website.
To redeem your free credit, email SHINE@wokingham.gov.uk
Offer valid until 31 January 2022.
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