Wokingham Borough Connect
 Paddle, run and have fun by taking part in SUPathlon
We are joining forces with Barnes Fitness to bring you the Dinton SUPathlon on Sunday 24 September at Dinton Pastures Country Park.
The event is a combination of 1km stand-up paddleboarding on Black Swan Lake and a 5km run around the country park. You can enter as an individual to complete both by yourself, or as a team of two with each person doing one part.
Stand-up paddleboards are available for hire, but you need to have previous experience in the sport when entering.
The minimum age to enter is 15 and prices range from £30 for an individual with a board, to £50 for a team of two needing to rent a board. If you are interested in taking part, sign up online before 12 noon on Friday 22 September.
 Know your numbers and how to lower blood pressure
It’s never too early or too late to start checking your blood pressure, so take the first step this Know Your Numbers Week (4 to 10 September).
The annual campaign aims to reach those who have high blood pressure but may not know it so they can get the treatment and support they need to bring it under control.
This year’s theme is ‘make the time, ease your pressure’ and seeks to encourage people to measure their blood pressure at home. If you don’t have access to a device you can visit a pharmacy for a check.
Some pharmacies are taking part in the Hypertension Case Finding Service, which offers a free blood pressure check to those aged 40 and over.
Your blood pressure is very important, no matter how old you are and high blood pressure can lead to heart problems, stroke and kidney disease. Lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, giving up smoking, cutting back on alcohol and reducing caffeine and salt can all help to lower your blood pressure.
There is lots of helpful information online about how to choose and use a blood pressure monitor at home, as well as what is considered a normal reading.
 Activities to improve your health and state of mind
The Mindset Unlimited Festival is set to return to Wokingham on Saturday 16 September.
A variety of stalls, tents and stages will be at Elms Field for the event, which raises awareness for practices and lifestyle choices that improve mindset, health and wellbeing.
Getting underway at 9am, the festival will be introduced by Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr Beth Rowland. Sessions will include Pilates, meditation and yoga, including a guest appearance from X Factor singer Danyl Johnson.
Some activities are free, while other range in price from £5 to £30. To book in advance, visit the Mindset Unlimited website.
 First Days charity glow walk returns to light up your life
Following last year's success, First Days Children's Charity is organising another Glow Walk at Dinton Pastures Country Park to raise funds towards its work.
It will start at 5pm on Saturday 18 November. Like the previous event, you can enjoy a two-mile starlight walk around Black Swan Lake and take in the illuminated woodland with various light features, as well as jugglers, singers and illuminated stand-up paddleboarders.
Hot chocolate, hot dogs and mulled wine will be on sale, so you can bring something warm with you while immersing yourself in the lights.
You are also encouraged to make yourself glow with as many light-up accessories as you can, with glow sticks available to buy on the day.
There is tiered pricing to make the event accessible to as many people as possible, starting at £5 per adult. You can contribute based on how much you can afford.
To find out more and book a ticket, visit the First Days website.
 Empower women to keep active by being ambassador
Would you like to help mothers during pregnancy and after childbirth who want to keep active? You could become a This Mum Moves ambassador by taking part in an online course later this year.
The session runs from 9am to 1.30pm on Thursday 9 November and free places are open to those who might work with pre or post-natal mothers, as well as anyone who has regular contact with women during childbearing years.
This could be a midwife, health visitor, GPs, exercise instructors and the training will give you the knowledge and skills to discuss physical activity during pregnancy and after childbirth.
The training is delivered by The Institute of Health Visitors and The Active Pregnancy Foundation live via Zoom and will provide learners with access to a digital toolkit to support conversations and further learning. You will need to undertake one hour of preparatory work online prior to the course.
This Mum Moves aims to improve physical and mental wellbeing of pregnant women and new mums by reducing the decline in physical activity during and after pregnancy.
If you are interested, please complete the online application and you will be informed by Monday 25 September if you have been accepted.
 Mental health and wellbeing community alliance forum
Mind in Berkshire is running a series of free, mental health sessions throughout the year aimed at improving mental health and wellbeing for Wokingham Borough residents.
The aim of the wellbeing community alliance is to improve the experience of people accessing mental health and wellbeing support – through responding collaboratively to identified needs in the community.
The next session takes place on Thursday 21 September, from 10am to 12 noon at the Wokingham Charity and Community Hub off Denmark Street.
This meeting will be used to discuss how participants would like to use sessions moving forward and discuss opportunities for co-production and collaboration.
If you are a voluntary or community sector (VCS) organisation or group with a particular focus on improving the mental health and wellbeing of people living in Wokingham Borough, this event is for you.
Free tickets are available but places are limited to 15 seats. Please note one person per VCS group should attend. To sign up, visit the Eventbrite booking website.
 Take a look at sessions available from recovery college
Wokingham Recovery College has published its new Autumn prospectus, which features information about upcoming sessions.
All courses and groups are designed to promote holistic wellbeing for adults in Wokingham.
Popular sessions about anxiety, low mood and self-compassion return this term alongside new sessions, including compassionate communication, art for wellbeing and new peer support groups. All sessions are free to attend.
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