Wokingham Borough Connect
Coronation tea party for people living with dementia
Celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III in style by attending a tea party at the Carnival Hub in Wokingham on Friday 19 May.
Join us from 1pm to 3pm for delicious cakes, refreshments and entertainment. We warmly welcome residents who may be living with dementia, together with their carers and families.
This is being hosted by Age UK Berkshire and The Link Visiting Scheme, with funding provided by Wokingham Town Council.
Spaces are limited, so please register your interest as soon as possible by emailing Age UK Berkshire, or by calling (0118) 959 4242.
Super Joe conquers more sporting feats after diagnosis
A man from Lower Earley who was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease four years ago continues to conquer sporting challenges with the help of our Sport and Leisure Team.
Joe Gregory received his diagnosis on 11 April in 2019, which happened to be World Parkinson's Day. He started with a 10-session Parkinson's gym course at Loddon Valley Health Centre with our Long-Term Health Team before becoming a gym member at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre.
He said: "I greatly enjoy doing exercise and attending the gym. I am immensely appreciative of the support I have received from the whole team. They are professional, informative, friendly and encouraging."
The 64-year-old says the support he has received has allowed him to return to how he felt before his diagnosis, when he was more fit and able.
Joe has done many sponsored challenges to raise awareness and funds for the disease. He did more than 13,000 'keepy-ups' of a football without dropping it and walked from Lower Earley to Dr James Parkinson's home in East London while juggling a football across four days.
As well as completing the London Marathon last year, he has recently finished the London Landmarks Half Marathon and played for the England Parkinson's Walking Football Team.
Joe added: "I greatly appreciate being able to use the gym to help my body cope with such activities and with Parkinson's."
Badminton and table tennis to improve mental health
Wokingham Leisure Centre @ Carnival Hub is hosting free weekly sessions run by Sport in Mind, a mental health charity.
You can play badminton and table tennis every Friday from 2pm to 3pm and no experience is needed.
These are open to anyone over the age of 17 who is experiencing low mood, social isolation, loneliness or with a diagnosed mental health condition.
The sessions are lots of fun and all about getting as active as you like in a safe and supportive environment. They are drop-in sessions, so there is no need to book and all equipment is provided.
New participants are asked to complete a short form, which can be done online before attending.
Spring booster vaccination available at pop-up clinics
Further protection against Covid-19 is now available for those at highest risk following the introduction of the Spring Booster 2023 Programme. Those who can get a spring vaccination include people aged 75 and over, those with a weakened immune system and residents of care homes for older adults.
Locally, these vaccinations will be available through some GPs and pharmacies, as well as at pop-up clinics at our offices at Shute End in Wokingham.
The clinics will offer the spring booster vaccine for people aged 75 and over (by 30 June 2023) on:
- Friday 19 May, 10am to 4.45pm
- Friday 26 May, 10am to 4.45pm
It will also offer first and second doses for people aged five (by 31 August 2022) to 11, or aged 12 and in academic year 7. This will run on Friday 2 June, from 10am to 4.45pm.
If you are eligible, the best way to get your vaccine is by booking online via the National Booking System, NHS app or by calling 119 for free.
The Spring Booster 2023 programme, as well as the wider offer of first and second doses for the general population, will end nationwide on 30 June. Get protected, especially if you are at higher risk, before the offer ends.
Free antenatal group to help expecting parents
Expecting parents are invited to attend an antenatal session run by the Wokingham Health Visiting Team.
These are open to anyone who is due in August, or is unable to make one of the April meetings.
Find out how you can get support from the Health Visiting Team and get your questions answered in a friendly and supportive environment.
Sessions last around two hours and are being held throughout May at a number of locations, including Wokingham Leisure Centre, Erlegh House in Reading and The Ambleside Centre in Woodley.
They are free to attend, but spaces must be reserved in advance via the relevant Eventbrite page.
Get help from experts during Dementia Action Week
Dementia Friendly Wokingham and partner charities are hosting an information event on Tuesday 16 May.
Stalls will be in Peach Place in Wokingham from 10.30am to 2.30pm to mark Dementia Action Week (15 to 21 May).
There will be dementia-friendly activities and a chance to speak with representatives from local charities.
Dementia Friendly Wokingham supports people living with dementia to remain valued members of the community for as long as possible. The group runs activities across the borough and welcomes anyone with any form of dementia, as well as their carer.
For more information, or to apply for a stall, contact Jenny on 0779 548 1764 or send an email.
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