Wokingham Borough Connect
 Must dash! Santas coming to town for charity run
The ever-popular Dinton Santa Dash, organised by Barnes Fitness, will return to Dinton Pastures Country Park on Saturday 17 December for the seventh year running.
The annual event is fun-filled, festive and suitable for the whole family. All runners will be dressed in a Santa suit and receive a Christmas medal, a mince pie and chocolates after crossing the finish line.
There is no minimum age requirement and none of the runs are timed. You and your children can choose to complete a 2km Mini-Dash, or a full 5km Santa Dash together.
Taking part in the run will also help children in need, as £2 of each entry will be donated directly to First Days Children’s Charity. Every £120 raised will buy a nice warm bed with frame, mattress, duvet, pillows and linen for a child this winter. Sign up now before it’s full!
 Be part of Lower Earley Library birthday celebrations
In case you missed it, Lower Earley Library is turning 35 this year and we have been running lots of fun events to mark the occasion. In fact, it is exactly 35 years ago today, as the library welcomed its first visitors on 23 November 1987.
Tomorrow (Thursday 24 November), we are having a charity coffee morning at the library, which will run from 10am to 12.30pm.
Come along and share memories of the library from the last three and a half decades while enjoying tasty homemade cakes. During the event, there will be a raffle and all proceeds will go to Wokingham Foodbank, the Borough Mayor’s chosen charity.
There is no need to book, but please be aware this is a cash-only event.
 Funfair rides, food and more at winter carnival
The Wokingham Winter Carnival is returning this Sunday (27 November) and will be taking over the town centre for some festive fun.
Kicking off at 11am, there will be lots to do, with more than 100 stalls, as well as funfair rides, food and entertainment. Father Christmas will also be in his grotto at the former police station in Milton Road.
The carnival has been held since 1994, but this is the first time Wokingham Lions have taken over the organising.
Over the years, it has grown into a popular event for the whole family. Funds raised will be donated to Kaleidoscopic UK and Building for the Future, as well as other local charities.
 Tackling gender-based violence across the borough
We have reaffirmed our commitment to tackling all forms of gender-based violence and will be supporting domestic abuse charity Kaleidoscopic UK as they mark White Ribbon Day and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November.
This day also marks the beginning of 16 days of action against gender-based violence, an international campaign which runs until Human Rights Day on 10 December.
There are lots of events taking place during the 16 days, beginning with:
- Friday 25 November, Wokingham Market Place: There will be an information stand from 12noon to 4pm, offering help and support to those affected by violence against women and girls, as well as anyone affected by any form of domestic abuse. A candlelight vigil will also take place from 7pm to 8pm to represent all women murdered in the UK this year, which will be hosted by Kaleidoscopic UK
- Monday 28 November, Spencers Wood Library, 2.30pm to 5pm and Friday 2 December, Woodley Library, 10am to 1pm. Visit a drop-in session for help and advice from our domestic abuse support service, Cranstoun
- Wednesday 30 November, Woodley Precinct: Our Domestic Abuse Co-ordinator and Community Safety Team will be joining a Citizen's Advice van to offer information and advice
A full list of events can be found here, along with more information about our efforts to tackle gender-based violence.
 Make new friends and hit right note with singing cafés
Singing has the power to change lives and Berkshire Maestros run a number of relaxed sessions to help improve emotional wellbeing.
The charity runs a 'Dementia Memory Lane Singing Café' at The Cornerstone in Wokingham. These are held monthly, with the next one taking place on Friday 9 December from 10.30am to 12noon.
By working with Age UK Berkshire, the charity ensures these sessions are suitable for people with dementia and that guests can sing along to familiar songs in a friendly setting. To pre-book email: Victoria.Rowland@AgeUKBerkshire.org.uk, with a suggested donation of £5 per session.
There is also a 'Parkinson's Singing Café' at Our Lady of the Peace in Earley. This runs fortnightly every Friday, from 1.30pm to 2.30pm, with the next sessions being held on 25 November and 9 December. For more information on these sessions, email: bimbishaw-cotterill@berkshiremaestros.org.uk
Each Singing Café session includes 45 minutes of musical activity, followed by 45 minutes for refreshments and conversation. Visitors are encouraged to meet new friends, socialise and engage with like-minded people in the community.
 Domestic abuse training for hair and beauty staff
For many victims of domestic abuse, hairdressers, barbers and beauty salons are safe spaces where they are at ease with the stylist they trust and can confide in.
Salon professionals are in a unique position to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse in their clients. With proper training, salon professionals can become invaluable and influential in reducing the impact of domestic abuse.
A free domestic abuse awareness training session is running online tomorrow (Thursday 24 November) from 6pm to 7pm. This is for professionals working in the hair and beauty industry in Wokingham Borough, as well as Bracknell, Maidenhead, Slough and Windsor.
The training will include information on:
- What domestic abuse is
- How you can recognise the signs of domestic abuse in your clients
- What to do if a client says they are being abused
- Which services you can signpost clients to who are victims of domestic abuse
After the training you will receive resources for you to use and a certificate of participation. To reserve your slot and find out more, visit the eventbrite listing.
 Ease your stress with free art taster session
Are you trying to keep your anxiety and stress at bay, or ways to maintain your resilience and focus?
Visit Wokingham Library tomorrow (24 November) for a free taster session of Art Journalling for Wellbeing.
Use mindful art techniques to create pieces of art to help soothe and calm your mind. Sessions are held weekly and cost £5.50 after the first week.
To check there are spaces available and book your tickets, contact Rachel Freegard at: artjournallingforwellbeing@gmail.com
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