Wokingham Borough Connect
 Executive agree to cease further work on 3G pitch
Our decision-making executive agreed plans to cease further work at this stage on a proposed 3G sports pitch at Maiden Erlegh School when it met last month.
Since last summer, when it was first agreed to consult on these proposals, our financial position has worsened and costs for this project have escalated.
Work on the proposed 3G sports pitch at Maiden Erlegh School in Earley will stop while we develop a borough-wide Playing Pitch Strategy. Part of this strategy will see us reassess the needs of Earley and Lower Earley and identify key sites suitable for future 3G sports pitch provisions in the borough.
The new strategy is set to be completed in the summer of 2023, which will replace the outdated strategy agreed in 2019.
Once this has been completed, a full evaluation of 3G pitch provision will take place looking at demand and costs associated with each proposed pitch. The strategy will create a clear plan for the future, providing evidence of where there is demand for 3G pitches.
 Free sport and games for young people
Sport in Mind, an award-winning mental health charity, is running a series of free sport and games sessions to help improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people living in the borough.
The sessions are designed to be fun and interactive, helping to build confidence and self-esteem, whilst providing a great opportunity to meet new people.
The sessions are available for 10 to 14-year-olds and take place on Thursdays during term-time from 4pm to 5pm at the Wokingham Leisure Centre @ Carnival Hub.
For more information and to sign up, email youth@sportinmind.org or call (0118) 947 9762.
 Sign up to the Wokingham half marathon
Runners are being advised to sign up for this year’s Wokingham half marathon to avoid disappointment following the success of 2022.
An estimated 3,000 runners will take to the streets for Wokingham Borough’s biggest running event of the year on Sunday 26 February, with the event attracting elite athletes and fundraisers.
This year’s event will start and finish at Cantley Park in Wokingham. Younger residents are also being urged to sign up for the Wokingham children’s mini mile. The run starts at approximately 10.15am, shortly after the start of the half marathon at 10am.
For the mini mile, there will be awards in age groups and medals for all finishers. Parents are welcome to run with and support their children on the route and children under the age of eight must be accompanied by an adult.
Entry for the half marathon is £35.50 for affiliated runners (members of UK Athletics) and £37.50 for unaffiliated runners. You must be 17 or older on the day of the race to enter.
Full details of all road closures are available on the Wokingham half marathon website, along with event information, frequently asked questions and parking information.
 Join the Berkshire Banshees
Berkshire Banshees Wheelchair Rugby Club is recruiting new adult players to join their existing five-a-side team and to help form a new four-a-side team – just like the Paralympics GB team.
The existing five-a-side team is open to anyone with a physical impairment and paraplegics.
To join the new four-a-side team, players must have an impairment which affects at least three limbs including arms and legs. Players who have spinal cord injuries, with full or partial paralysis of their legs and partial paralysis of their arms, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, amputations, polio and other neurological conditions may also be eligible to play.
The sessions, delivered by Berkshire Banshees Level 2 coaching team, take place on Saturdays, 1pm to 4pm at Reading Blue Coat School in Sonning.
The club welcomes players who have never played before or existing players who would like to play again, whilst offering a great opportunity to keep active and make new friends.
For more information and to sign up, email Debbie Searle on berkswr@gmail.com
 Book a free HIV test
This National HIV Testing Week (6 to 12 February), we are encouraging as many people as possible to get tested and know their HIV status.
We are supporting a campaign, which is being co-ordinated by Thames Valley Positive Support (TVPS). The charity is on a mission to get HIV infections eliminated by 2030 and they will be offering community testing that is quick, free and confidential.
Funding of £10,000 has been provided by our Public Health Team to help deliver the testing, which is also running in Reading and West Berkshire. Sessions are in discreet venues and the test takes one minute to give a result, which is received at the appointment.
To make testing even easier, the charity is also offering free postal test kits. These can be sent direct, or picked up from TVPS when they are in the area. They are sent in plain packaging and you receive your results via text or phone call.
As the in-person tests are confidential, exact dates and locations are not disclosed. For more information and to book a test, contact TVPS by email, call (01628) 603400, or send a WhatsApp message to 07727 289712.
 Join the Recovery College this month
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 helps people become experts in their own self-care and enable family, friends and staff to better understand mental health.
Upcoming classes for February:
- Exploring painting and colour – 8 February, 12.30pm to 2.30pm
- Hearing voices group – 9 and 23* February, 11am to 12.30pm
- Recovering together – 13, 20* and 27 February, 11am to 12.30pm
- Preparing for employment – 16 February, 10am to 11.30am
- Being kind to ourselves – 17 February, 10am to 11.30am
- Yoga for wellbeing – 21 and 28 February, 10am to 11am
- Finding happiness and resilience in everyday life* - 21 and 28 February, 7pm to 8.15pm
- Managing anxiety* – 23 February, 12.30pm to 2pm
- Being kind to ourselves – 24 February, 10am to 11.30am
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.
*Online classes.
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