Wokingham Borough Connect
 Get up to 15% off half-term activity camps
Half-term is just around the corner and borough children will be delighted to know that Power-Up Activity Camps will be running from Monday 30 May to Wednesday 1 June 2022 at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre.
There's plenty of fun activities taking place including pool fun, inflatable fun, badminton, children's yoga, hockey, martial arts, football, rounders, cricket, athletics, trampolining, dodgeball, tag rugby, basketball, tennis, soft play, dance and many more.
The Sport and Leisure team is running two fantastic promotions* when you book an activity camp:
- Receive an early bird 10% off discount when you book an activity camp in May. Enter code MAY10 at the checkout. Valid until 20 May 2022
- Receive 15% off when you book an activity day in May and during the summer holiday. Enter code SUMMER15 at the checkout. Valid until 1 June 2022
To view the timetable of activities and book your child’s place, register or login to the council's booking website. There is a 10% off sibling discount which is automatically applied at the checkout when parents book two or more children for the camp.
The activity camps are suitable for borough children aged five to 12 years old. Please note that this is a separate scheme, paid by parents, to the government-funded HAF scheme.
*Terms and conditions apply. Please note: only one discount can be applied at any time.
 Get referred to our mindful health and wellbeing programme
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, an annual event which concentrates on promoting mental health issues and finding ways to tackle loneliness.
The Sport and Leisure team is reminding residents of its Mindful Health and Wellbeing Programme which is designed to rehabilitate or support mental wellbeing using sport and physical activity. Residents can be referred to this programme by their GP, health professional, social prescriber or through the Wokingham Community Mental Health team.
Regular exercise has been scientifically proven to improve mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative feelings. Physical activity is also a useful way to improve self-esteem and cognitive function. The sessions are run in a relaxed and friendly environment led by qualified Lifestyle and Wellbeing Instructors.
The programme runs Monday to Friday and costs £39.10 for ten sessions.
There are plenty of activities* to take part in, including:
- Mondays at 2pm to 3pm - Pilates at the Health and Wellbeing Centre at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre
- Tuesdays at 1.30pm to 2.15pm - Circuits at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre
- Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12.30pm to 1.30pm - Badminton at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre
- Tuesdays at 2pm to 3pm - Zumba at Bulmershe Leisure Centre
- Wednesdays at 3.30pm to 4.30pm - Open Gym at Bulmershe Leisure Centre
- Thursdays at 11.30pm to 12.30pm - Stretch and Relax at St Crispin's Leisure Centre
- Fridays at 12.30pm to 1.30pm - Circuits at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre
- Fridays at 1.45pm to 2.45pm - Table Tennis at St Crispin's Leisure Centre
*Spaces subject to availability.
Requirements: suitable for residents living in Wokingham Borough, aged 16+ and have completed a referral form signed by a health professional and are managing a mild to moderate mental health condition.
For more information, email preventionteam@wokingham.gov.uk
 Buy a SHINE ten class pack and get 10% off
Our Sport and Leisure team is running a 'Moving into May' promotion - buy a SHINE ten class pack and receive 10% off. This offer is available to all Wokingham Borough residents aged 60 and above.
Classes include:
- Tai Chi
- Seated exercise
- Zumba
- Yoga
- Standing exercise to music
- Pilates
- Nordic walking
- Circuits
- Aquafit and many more!
Hurry! This offer is valid until 31 May 2022. For more information including class timetable and to redeem this offer, please visit our SHINE website.
 Help with groceries for low-income families
Help is available to low-income families receiving benefits to buy healthy food.
If you receive Universal Credit or Child Tax Credit, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk through the NHS Healthy Start scheme.
The NHS Healthy Start scheme provides eligible households with a pre-paid card, which can be used to buy items including cow’s milk, vegetables, fruit, pulses and infant formula milk.
As of December, only 53% of eligible families in Wokingham Borough were using the scheme, resulting in at least £1,402.50 of healthy food not reaching those who need it every week.
If you qualify, you will receive the pre-paid card, which will be topped up every four weeks. You will receive £4.25 each week of your pregnancy from the 10th week of your pregnancy, £8.50 per week for children from birth to one year and £4.25 a week for children aged one to four.
You can find out more about the Healthy Start scheme and apply online.
 Free health checkers at selected Borough libraries
Residents are being encouraged to make use of new health checkers, which have been installed for a limited time. The Wellpoint kiosks are located at our libraries in Wokingham, Woodley and Lower Earley and available for the next few months only.
The kiosks allow you to measure your weight, body mass index, body fat content, blood pressure and heart rate. You can also receive information about your cardiovascular risk and a heart score.
No booking is required to use the machines and the tests take around five minutes to complete. They are available to all residents, regardless of age.
Test results can be printed and sent to your email address and there is also an app available to download to keep track. Once a test has been completed, information is provided to signpost you to local services that might help.
 Osteoarthritis hip and knee pain classes available
Is hip pain giving you jip? Do you wish your knee was pain-free?
If you, or anyone you know, is newly diagnosed with osteoarthritis hip or knee pain, you can join our 12 session escape pain class and meet other residents, in a small group setting, living with osteoarthritis and learn:
- Information and simple ways to better manage knee and/or hip pain
- Exercise and strengthen your joints
- A gentle, individualised exercise programme that matches your needs and pace
If you’re struggling in managing day-to-day activities or wanting to try simple and effective ways to exercise and strengthen your joints, we are offering a 12 session course in a small group setting with a variety of equipment to suit your goals.
The one hour classes take place at the Health and Wellbeing Centre at Bulmershe Leisure Centre in Woodley every Tuesday at 10.30am and Friday at 2pm.
There is a cost to this scheme. For more information and to book your place, contact Leah in the Prevention Team on preventionteam@wokingham.gov.uk or call (0118) 974 3728.
Requirements: Ages 45+. Please get in touch to self-refer if interested.
 Enrol at the Recovery College this May
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. The college aims to help people become experts in their own self-care and enable family, friends and staff to better understand mental health.
Upcoming classes for May:
- Hearing voices group - 12 and 26 May, 11am to 12pm
- Drawing techniques - 12 May, 1.30pm to 3.30pm
- Coping with trauma - 16 May, 1.30pm to 2.30pm
- Welcome drop in - 17 May, 10am to 11.30am
- Getting a good night's sleep - 17 May, 1.30pm to 3pm
- What employment support is available to me - 18 May, 1.30pm to 3pm
- Drugs, alcohol and mental health - 19 May, 10am to 11.30am
- Have your say* - 20 May, 10am to 11am
- Recovering together* - 23 May, 11am to 12.30pm
- Managing low mood* - 23 and 30 May, 1.30pm to 3pm
The 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.
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