Wokingham Borough Connect
 Spooky fun awaits at our country parks for Halloween
Come and try our Halloween Spooktacular Trail at Dinton Pastures Country Park in Hurst.
Running until Sunday 29 October, you are sure to have an adventure as you hunt for ghosts, ghouls and other creepy creatures hiding in the bushes by Black Swan Lake.
Simply head to the Dinton Activity Centre reception (9am to 5pm) to get a trail map and activity sheet for £2.50.
Once you have finished your quest, bring the sheet back to the activity centre reception or The Coffee House to collect a sweet treat. Remember to get a map and activity sheet for each child, so everyone gets a treat.
The trail is just over 2km long and normally takes around one hour to complete. The paths are accessible for wheelchairs and buggies.
To have a quick start, make a booking online before you go.
Halloween party at California Country Park
Don't forget, Jackson's Café at California Country Park in Finchampstead will be holding a Halloween party on Thursday 26 October from 4pm to 10pm.
There will be plenty of activities, including a disco, best dressed competition and a 90-minute magic show by Fred in the Shed.
Tickets cost £15 per person, which includes a buffet on the day. You can buy tickets now at the café or by calling the team on (0118) 973 0776.
 Mental health charity running free sports sessions
Free and fun sessions are being organised by Sport in Mind, a mental health charity, to help improve and support the wellbeing of young people.
These are a great way to build confidence and self-esteem, as well as being a great opportunity to meet new friends.
Every Thursday during term-time, children aged 10 to 14-years-old are welcome to take part in fun multi-sports sessions from 4pm to 5pm at the Wokingham Leisure Centre.
Sport in Mind now run an older session for those aged 14 to 16-years-old at St Crispin's Leisure Centre on Mondays from 5pm to 6pm.
You can find out more about the activities and sign up here. If you want to know more about these sessions, you can email Sport in Mind.
 Stop by to meet the dogs that make a big difference
Come and meet guide dogs and their owners at Woodley Library on Thursday 26 October from 10am to 12noon.
This is a drop-in event to give you the chance to find out more about the work of The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, the world's largest breeder and trainer of working dogs.
There is no need to book and all ages are welcome, so just come along and meet some wonderful dogs and find out how they help their owners.
 Great food and vibrant company at charity curry night
Join The Link Visiting Scheme for a charity curry night at The Tamarind Tree in Wokingham.
The fundraising event is being held on Tuesday 7 November from 6pm to 8.30pm and will feature a silent auction and raffle.
Proceeds will go directly towards helping the charity, which helps to reduce loneliness among older people.
Tickets cost £20 and this includes a two-course dinner (starter and main). If you have any questions, send an email to the charity.
 Get the most of out your tech thanks to free support
Technology can be hugely helpful, but it can also be difficult to navigate. Local volunteers from the charity AbilityNet will be offering free tech support at Lower Earley Library on Friday 27 October.
The charity has been helping older and disabled people with their computers, mobiles and tablets for more than 20 years.
Join them from 10am to 11.30am to get your questions answered. If you are unable to make this session, these are held on the fourth Friday of each month at the same time.
Here are just some of the things they can help with:
- Setting up new equipment
- Connecting to the internet and searching the web
- Viruses, slow working computer, updates
- Making simple changes to your equipment to make it easier to use
- Impartial advice about staying safe online, backing up files and photos
- Showing you how to email, shop online, connect with family and friends
To find out more, call 0800 048 7642 or send the charity an email.
 New sessions from Recovery College coming up
Wokingham Recovery College offers free co-produced courses and groups designed to teach skills for managing emotional wellbeing. The service is open to anyone over 18 living or working in Wokingham Borough. There are some brand-new sessions coming in November, including:
- 18 to 25 Peer Support Group on Friday 10 November, running from 2pm to 3.30pm (online)
- Compassionate Communication, Tuesdays (28 November, 5 December and 12 December) from 10am to 12pm (in-person)
Not sure if the Recovery College is right for you?
Getting Started in Groups is a great way to discover more about how Wokingham Recovery College works. Join the team at Wokingham Library on Thursday 30 November from 10am to 11am to find out more about how sessions are run and ask questions. You do not need to register to attend this session, but you can let the team know by email if you plan to attend.
You can also view the full timetable online, as well as course details and how to register with the service.
|
