Here at Reading Family Aid, we’re in touch with a large range of organisations and charities that help families in need in the Reading area. Over the last few months we’ve been working closely with five of them to plan a Summer Toy Project, which aims to give these families and children a reason to smile after a particularly stressful few months.

​The Summer Toy Project is a new initiative that we are launching on 13th July. In order to enable us to distribute toys to children in need, we have set up some Amazon Gift Lists which will provide toys to our partner charities.

​We were keen to find out more about how these organisations and charities help families in need and we spoke to a few of them.

With the ongoing stresses that COVID-19 is bringing to families, First Days explained that over the last few months, families have had the hard task of finding new ways to engage and entertain children at home, often with limited space.  A representative said:

'Being able to request new toys and games from Reading Family Aid has meant that we have been able to put together fantastic and varied toy packs for families referred to us at this difficult time - something to help keep children entertained and take the pressure off parents at a time of great stress. As the economic impact of the pandemic increases, we anticipate that even more children and families will need our help and it is great to have a head start with so many brand new items to give out to those who most need them.'

Among the toys that First Days recently received were packages for a family who are isolating due to illness and a little boy who had a birthday recently and whose mum was struggling financially. These gifts brought great joy to both families.
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Donate to First Days here.

​Our fourth organisation, Alana House, is a community project providing a confidential, women-only, non-judgemental space for women who feel they need help. A holistic approach is used to support and empower women and enable them to make positive changes in their lives, thereby improving the outcomes for themselves and their families. ​
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Donate to Alana House here.

The Reading Family Aid AGM was held on July 2nd - over Zoom of course!

The Chair, Ruth Perkins, gave a report of the year, contrasting the first very successful first half to the year followed by a challenging second half with Covid-19 putting a stop to many of our activities.

She also said how pleased she was at the way the committee had risen to the challenge of finding news ways to support the families.

The Treasurer, David Berry, reported that while income was slightly up, expenses had increased over the previous year but still funds were in reasonable shape for the coming months.

You can read the Annual Report here.