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Pinboard Notices and News updates for parents and teachers

Performing Arts classes and workshops offered for free with Artemis Studios

Artemis Studios is a performing arts charity providing award winning inexpensive (often free) classes in and around Bracknell since 2007. They are an Ofsted registered evening/weekend school, and free-to-attend full time vocational performing arts college (based at South Hill Park Arts Centre) offering classes from ages 4 to adult. In 2021,100% of their college students said they would recommend them to their friends and 95% of their graduates left with a Distinction or Distinction Star in at least one qualification! As well as term time classes, they offer free and low-cost holiday workshops. These are run by highly qualified and talented teachers, including West End choreographers, singers who are currently in the charts, and real actors and directors who are professionals in their specialist area! If you are a school who would like a one off or series of classes after school (no charge) in acting, singing, street or cheerleading – please get in touch! W: www.artemis-studios.co.uk

Coughs, Colds and COVID in Children – what to look out for and where to seek further help

The NHS is seeing an increase in children with coughs, colds and COVID with further increases being expected in winter months. The website offers advice on when to keep your child off school in relation to COVID and COVID symptoms. Paediatrician Dr Patrick Aldridge, from Frimley Park Hospital, said: “Most viral illnesses typically clear up within seven days, without the need for medical support. For most children, treatment with paracetamol and/or ibuprofen, with sugary fluids when they’re not eating, are usually enough to help. “I would encourage parents and carers to access the NHS Frimley Healthier Together website for up-to-date advice at their fingertips”. The website provides advice and support from local healthcare professionals and paediatricians to help parents recognise what might be wrong. Each illness has a traffic light system to help parents manage their child’s symptoms at home, with red flags for when they might need to seek more specialist help, from their GP, 111 or visit the emergency department. For more information: https://frimley-healthiertogether.nhs.uk/ Follow on Facebook: @Frimley.healthiertogether Follow on Instagram: @Frimley.healthiertogether

New volunteers needed to help raise funds for Guide Dogs

The local branch of charity Guide Dogs is looking for new volunteers in Berkshire. They need people to join their local fundraising groups, which organise community events and collections to help raise much needed funds. Joining your local Guide Dogs volunteer group means getting involved with your community, meeting new people, and making a difference. The charity relies on donations to keep its vital services running. It costs around £55,000 to train and support a guide dog partnership, from breeding, training and ongoing support throughout the dog and owner’s life. To find out more, visit their website to find a volunteer role near you. W: www.guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer

Festive family fun with a Guide Dog Christmas Treasure Hunt

Give the kids some festive fun with a 12 Guide Dogs of Christmas Treasure Hunt! They can learn all about their dogs and the special jobs they do with this unique Christmas activity. Download your treasure hunt pack complete with the simple how-to guide at

www.guidedogs.org.uk/ 12-dogs-of-christmas

Linden Homes offer £10,000 towards your moving costs this Christmas

With the darker evenings rolling in and the weather cooling off, it must be that time of year again! Christmas is coming and Linden Homes are offering house hunters thousands of pounds towards moving costs… Christmas makes us think of cherished moments at home with loved ones. What better way to celebrate than to find your dream property and fill it with friends and family this year? With homes ready to move into in time for Christmas, they’re offering £10,000 towards moving costs for select homes across Berkshire, with something to suit every family. Archfield in Warfield is a tight-knit, smaller development, with three-bedroom properties; Copsewood in Wokingham caters to growing families with premium four-bedroom homes and offers the Home Exchange scheme; the Blue Mountain location has the expansive, stunning fivebedroom Fletcher home now available for purchase. W: www.lindenhomes.co.uk

Are you searching for your next role in childcare?

Complete Childcare is a wellestablished, award-winning group of 13 day nurseries and pre-schools based in Wokingham, Reading, Bracknell and Newbury and they are looking for enthusiastic practitioners who are team players with great communication skills to join them. They are currently recruiting for a variety of roles from Nursery Assistant to Deputy Manager and offer competitive rates of pay and a great employee benefits scheme. You can find out more by visiting their website www.completechildcare.co.uk/work-for-us or send your CV to hr@completechildcare.co.uk

Let young minds explore and discover with a trip to Eton College Collections

“Really fun and age-appropriate session, brought the history topic alive for our year 1 children!” Take your school! Their Museum Education programme provides free, object based, National Curriculum linked sessions for primary schools in each of their three museums. Learn about the Ancient Egyptians and Greeks in the Museum of Antiquities, investigate Dinosaurs and Fossils and all about Animals in the Natural History Museum, and discover what life was like for a Victorian Eton student and what we remember on Remembrance Day in the Museum of Eton Life. Take your family! Free Sunday openings give visitors of all ages a chance to investigate the permanent collections. With 160,000 artefacts, specimens and documents, ranging in age from over 100,000 years old to items from the 21st century, there is plenty to discover on a trip to Eton College Collections. W: https://collections.etoncollege.com

Could you be a Short Breaks carer and make a real difference?

West Berkshire Fostering and Disabled Children’s Team are currently seeking new carers who can offer Short Breaks to families of children with either physical disabilities, learning difficulties or mental health needs. If you have experience in medical or caring roles, are compassionate, patient and wish to develop your skills, you could make a great Short Breaks carer! Your time could allow parents of these young people a well-earned rest while you take care of their loved one. Hear from carers Abi and Tim about why Short Breaks works for them and their family: “As a young family we felt able and willing to support other families and children in our local community in need of some much-needed respite. As a couple we are passionate about offering a safe, loving home from home to others and feel that Short Breaks is a valuable experience not only for those we care for, but for our own children as well. We are able to fit the care we offer around our jobs and family commitments and have welcomed many different children into our home, which is always fun and rewarding.” If you feel you could take on a new challenge like Short Breaks, please get in touch with the Family Placement Team on 01635 503155 or fostering@westberks.gov.uk to speak to their dedicated recruitment social worker. Your call may #writethenextchapter for children in care in West Berkshire. Alternatively, visit their website:

https://citizen.westberks.gov.uk/article/36491/Ask-About-Fostering

Granny Cool – a shout out to all grandparents

Granny Cool is a wonderful children’s picture book celebrating the amazing relationship between grandchildren and their grandparents. It also celebrates children blessed with mixed heritage families. Granny Cool challenges the stereotypical image of grannies traditionally portrayed in children’s literature. Author Doreen Cox was inspired to write the story to provide a contemporary insight into the growing demographic of young(ish!!!), dynamic, grandparent who commonly supports families today. This 32-page, beautifully illustrated paperback is an engaging read for little ones (aged 0 -7) and grown-ups alike. The heartwarming story depicts how, through shared activities on a coastal holiday at granny’s house two young children deepen the bond between grandchildren and grandparents while also learning more about their amazingly cool granny. This charming book is also a delightful celebration of mixed heritage families in the hope that it will allow more children to feel connected through the joy of sharing stories. Look out for the spider hiding in the pages of Granny Cool. Granny Cool by Doreen Cox – Priced £7.99. W: www.grannycool.co.uk

Join us for some festive dining!

Treat or meet Family, Friends or your Work Colleagues to celebrate Christmas in Style in the Dorney Court café! To book, E: admin.dorney@crocus.co.uk T: 01628 600566 during office hours or book in person, in the café

£5 OFF

Choose your perfect Christmas Tree from our real tree Forest and receive £5 off with this voucher!

DINTON PASTURES

COUNTRY PARK

VISIT DINTON PASTURES THIS CHRISTMAS

THE BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY PARK ON YOUR DOORSTEP

DECEMBER Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th

A wonderful family Christmastime experience. Enjoy a weekend of live music, mulled wine, mince pies and other festive attractions at Dinton Pastures – you might also get to meet Santa or his Elves!

Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th

Why not indulge in a Santa Paddle? Enjoy picturesque views of the lake from one of the crafts on these winter guided paddles, before heading back to dry land to warm up with festive refreshments.

Saturday 18th

The ever-popular Barnes Fitness Santa Dash returns!

For more information T: 0118 9344424 W: www.dinton-pastures.co.uk

Sat 18th & Sun 19th December 12PM TO 5PM

Cheers!

Enjoy a FREE mulled wine or a hot spiced apple juice when you spend over £30 at one of our stores or eateries*

Victorian Carol Singers will also be performing to spread some festive spirit in support of Alexander Divine Children’s Hospice. *T&Cs apply, visit our website for details.