Wokingham Borough Connect
 Helping you to keep active during summer holidays
Leisure centres across the borough are offering a wide range of activities and events to help keep you active and healthy.
Whether you are looking to take up a new sport, find something fun for little ones or try and achieve a fitness goal, there is something for everyone.
Alongside the regular timetabled sessions, Places Leisure is running special events, including inflatables days, pay and play sessions and tailored classes for those with additional needs.
Some of the things to look forward to this summer:
- Holiday Club
- Active Play & Bounce
- Junior gym sessions
- Soft play sessions
- Swimming
There are also Box For Fun sessions running for children at BXGFit in Wokingham. These are running on weekdays from 3.30pm to 6pm and sessions cost £6.40 per person.
All you have to do is search for your nearest leisure centre, look through the timetable and find an activity that is right for you.
 Have your say on where a new hospital should go
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is looking at options for a new Royal Berkshire Hospital as part of the government's New Hospital Programme.
Two sites have been identified as being suitable and the trust wants to understand the impact for staff, patients and the wider community if the hospital were to move from its current location in Reading.
The two potential sites are:
- Thames Valley Park (at the end of A329M) – 2.2 miles north east of the current site, between east Reading and Woodley
- Thames Valley Science Park – 3.7 miles south east of the current site, off the M4 near Shinfield
You can give your views by filling in this survey or alternatively send your feedback by email or call (0118) 322 607.
 Book your place for paddling pool fun this summer
The paddling pool at California Country Park in Finchampstead is now open for the summer.
The pool is open daily from 10am to 5.45pm. Each session is an hour and 45 minutes long, so there is plenty of time to relax and cool off in the water.
Tickets cost £3.10 for all ages entering the water and £1.30 per adult who need to enter the pool area to supervise children, but not the pool itself. Book and pay online before you go.
 Be part of the final event in this year's summer series
The fourth and final instalment of the Dinton Summer Series is coming on Thursday 15 August.
Now in its 12th year, the friendly 5km and 10km running series welcomes runners of all abilities aged 13 and above. This year, your little ones can also take part and share the fun in a new 2km event, which has been added specially for those aged four to 14.
The course is an off-road, traffic-free, scenic route around Dinton Pastures Country Park in Hurst. You can choose the 5km option for a single loop around the course, or take on the 10km challenge by completing two laps.
The children's event starts at 6.15pm and the 5km and 10km events will start at 6.45pm.
Find out more or register on the Barnes Fitness website.
 Get help with your queries about breastfeeding
Come and speak to the Health Visiting Team in Wokingham as part of Breastfeeding Awareness Week (August 1 to 7).
They will be in Market Place from 9.30am to 4pm tomorrow (6 August) and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
The theme for this year is about Closing the Gap and ensuring everyone has the support they need to breastfeed.
World Breastfeeding Week aims to highlight the huge benefits that breastfeeding can bring to the health of babies.
Breastfeeding Friendly Venues
Remember, Arborfield, Bulmershe and Wokingham leisure centres are all accredited as Breastfeeding Friendly Venues by the Breastfeeding Network, as well as Ryeish Green Sports Hub.
This demonstrates a commitment to support infant feeding, including improving the environment for the promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding.
 Get the help you need to give your child a healthy start
Are you pregnant, or do you have children under the age of four? You could get help to buy fruit, vegetables, pulses, milk and infant formula, as well as vitamins.
The Healthy Start scheme aims to support eligible low-income families receiving benefits. Once you have applied online, you can use a pre-paid card in shops that display the Mastercard acceptance mark.
If you get Child Tax Credit, you may be eligible for Healthy Start if:
- Your family’s annual income is £16,190 or less
- You do not get Working Tax Credit
Most people who get Child Tax Credit can apply online. You can apply if you are:
- More than 10 weeks pregnant and have no other children
- More than 10 weeks pregnant and have children under the age of four
- Not pregnant but have children under the age of four
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