Contact details: Reading Resource Centre 4 Waylen Street Reading Berkshire RG1 7UR Tel 0118 958 0722 Fax 0118 959 1280 Email readingresource@together-uk.org Web: http://www.readingresource.org.uk Project Manager: Polly Falconer Our partners in running this service  Reading Borough Council, Reading PCT Referrals accepted from Resource operates a non-referral policy, although in some cases new members are referred from agencies within Mental Health services.   What happens at the Centre? Our Aims and Objectives Our primary aim is to provide a Resource Centre for all people with mental health needs. We wish to provide services, which are appropriate, and accessible to all sections of the community who are experiencing poverty and disadvantage associated with their mental health needs.   Our vision is that all people whose lives have been disrupted by mental health difficulties are able to take up their chosen place in the world, contributing through their fun, work and creativity.   Our Philosophy Based on treating people as individuals, our philosophy is to offer opportunities for meaningful work, training and relationships. People who use Resource are called Members and have access to all services within the Centre.  There is a deliberately small number of staff that would be unable to run the service without the input of paid and voluntary members.   Staff’s most important function is to engage members in running the Centre.  Membership is not time limited and is unconditional providing a person has a mental health problem and does not present a threat to staff and members.  The service is non-medical and integrated into mainstream health and voluntary sector services, employment, training, education and leisure services.   We provide 6 main services; · Social & Sport Activities · Café/Art Gallery · Employment and Training Service · Information · Outreach Services · Women & Men’s support groups Resource’s employment service is the hub of the organisation, providing  advice and guidance with job-hunting, and offering meaningful work within the centre to equip members with skills that they can take back into the workplace with them.  Our employment scheme aims to rebuild lost confidence and self-esteem, and provide a stepping stone back into “the outside world”.  We provide jobs in catering, admin, cleaning and reception. Members can come along to take part in activities including arts and crafts, sports, games and quizzes to name but a few.  Resource also provides regular I.T. training sessions for our members with classes ranging from word processing to internet searching. When is the Centre open? We are open 6 days a week including Sundays and Bank Holidays (Monday to Friday from 9.30am-4.30pm, and Sundays and Bank Holidays 11am-3pm). We see ourselves as a complimentary service to the statutory provision. Meals A lunch menu is available for a cost, providing hot meals and a vegetarian option. Tea, coffee, canned drinks and snacks are available for a small charge. What next? Maintain our national reputation for best practice in recovery services. More information For more information about the Centre, contact Reading Resource Centre direct.