Useful Information
Help if you are sleeping rough:
Call Streetlink on 0300 500 0914 who will ensure that you are referred to local outreach services or click here.
Drop into Reading Borough Council Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm or call 0118 937 2165.
For advice if you are homeless or think you are at risk of homelessness Reading Borough Council Homeless Prevention Service…
- No appointment needed Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm call 0118 937 2165
- Email: housing.advice@reading.gov.uk
- Out of hours call: 01344 786512
- Click here.
St Mungo’s Rough Sleeper Outreach Service
For help with accessing accommodation and support services including support with physical and mental ill-health, drugs and alcohol, legal services and reconnection in the UK and abroad.
- Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm call 0118 958 5002
- Friday (drop-in) at CIRDIC 11am to 1.30pm (St Saviours Church Hall, Berkeley Ave, Reading, RG1 6JT).
- www.mungos.org
CIRDIC (Churches in Reading Drop in Centre)
For hot meals, clean clothes, toiletries, bath and shower facilities, a safe postal address, use of a telephone, links to specialist services and someone to listen.
- Monday, Tuesday and Friday (drop-in) 10am to 3.30pm
- Sat (drop-in) 6pm to 7pm
- Sunday (drop-in) 9am to 10am
- 0118 950 2536
- https://www.cirdic.org.uk/
Advice about housing, homelessness and money
Launchpad – Drop-in service
For anyone in Reading who needs housing or homelessness related information and support.
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday (drop-in) 10am to 2pm
- Call 0118 950 7656
- Email: enquiries@launchpadreading.org.uk
- https://launchpadreading.org.uk/
Shelter
- For impartial and free housing advice
- Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm
- Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm
- National helpline: 0808 800 4444
- https://www.shelter.org.uk/
Citizens Advice Reading
Free advice service on housing, finances and employment
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (drop-in): 10am to 4pm
- Wednesday (drop-in): 1pm to 4pm.
- Closed 12.30pm to 1pm every day
- Call: 0344 4111 306
- https://rcab.org.uk/
Communicare
- Free advice, information and benefit support
- Monday to Thursday: 10am to 4pm
- Friday: 10am to 1pm
- Call: 0118 926 3941
- https://www.communicare.org.uk/
Your health: physical and mental
Walk-in Health Centre
Treatment, information and advice for a range of minor illnesses and injuries. Anyone can use this walk-in service – no registration necessary.
- Monday to Sunday (seven days a week): 8am to 7.45pm
- Call: 0118 902 7651
Health Outreach Liaison Team (HOLT)
For anyone who is homeless, living in a hostel or having difficulties accessing physical or mental health services.
- Monday: 11am to 1.30pm at CIRDIC (St Saviours Church Hall, Berkeley Ave, Reading, RG1 6JT).
- Tuesday: 7am to 9am outreach with St Mungoes
- Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm call 0118 207 7651.
- https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/our-services/physical-and-community-healthcare/health-outreach-liaison-team-holt/
Mental Health Crisis Team
- If you need urgent help with your mental wellbeing, but if it’s not an emergency call 0300 365 3000 or 0300 365 9999.
- https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/contact-us/i-need-help-now/
Florey Clinic (walk-in centre)
- Sexual health screening and treatment and advice about contraception.
- Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm (closed Wednesday between 11am and 1pm)
- Saturday (not bank holiday weekends) 9.30am to 11.30am
- Call: 0118 322 7202.
- https://www.safesexberkshire.nhs.uk/local-services/florey-clinic/
First Stop/Sanctuary (night-time service)
Paramedics (SCAS) providing urgent medical care services alongside volunteers providing first aid, hot drinks, shelter and support.
- Friday and Saturday nights: 9pm to 3am Reading Minster (St Mary’s Gate, Chain Street, Reading RG1 2HX).
- https://www.berkshirewestccg.nhs.uk/patient-information/faqs/first-stop-reading/
Support with drugs and alcohol
‘Change, Grow, Live’ (CGL)
Adult drug and alcohol service (18 years +) for immediate treatment, assessment and referral, adcei and information, need exchange and support groups.
- Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 9.30am to 4.30pm
- Monday and Thursday: 9.30am to 7pm
- Call: 0118 955 7333
- https://www.changegrowlive.org/drug-alcohol-service-reading/info
Needle Exchange
‘Change, Grow, Live’ (CGL)
- Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 9.30am to 4.30pm
- Monday and Thursday: 9.30am to 7pm
- https://www.changegrowlive.org/drug-alcohol-service-reading/info
- 127 Oxford Road, Reading, RG1 7UU
Oxford Road Pharmacy
- Monday to Thursday: 8am to 10pm
- Friday and Saturday: 8am to Midnight
- Sunday: 8am to 8pm
- https://www.oxfordrdpharmacy.com/
- 270-274 Oxford Road, Reading, RG30 1AD.
Western Elms Pharmacy
- Monday to Friday: 8.30am to 5.30pm
- Saturday: 9am to 2pm
- https://www.nhs.uk/services/pharmacy/western-elms-pharmacy/FMW33
- 351-353 Oxford Road, Reading, RG30 1AY