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shares advice on how to help children with autism. Her tips include being patient, inviting them to join in games, and offering a friendly smile.

Abbie’s mum Andrea Pollard said: “1st Shinfield Guides have been very welcoming and treated Abbie just like anyone else. She loves trying the activities and has made new friends there.

“Working towards her Campaigning badge has really empowered Abbie to say it’s OK to be different. It’s given her the ability to speak more openly instead of her masking ‘normal’ behaviour which can be incredibly exhausting.

“I am super proud of her as she is making a huge impact on our local community. Earning badges at Guides gives Abbie an enormous sense of achievement.”

Campaigning is one of nearly 100 badges that girls can work towards at Guides, with other examples including Photography, Geocaching and Human Rights.

Leader of 1st Shinfield Guides Christine Batchelor said: “We have been very impressed by all the hard work Abbie has put into earning her Campaigning badge.

“She will educate so many people as a result and I’m sure she will inspire lasting change. Abbie has settled into the unit brilliantly and it’s great to hear how much she enjoys being part of the unit.”

Great for accessible breaks

READING has just missed out from the top spot in a survey of accessible “city break” destinations.

New research for Passenger Assistance, which provides assistances for travel plans tailored around physical needs, has shown that Reading was second only to York.

Data from the app was combined with rankings from disability and accessibility organisations to determine the most accessible destination for city breaks.

Reading beat Birmingham, in third place, Leicester, Newcastle, and Bath Spa, for combining accessibility and shopping, leisure, and events.

Great Western Railway was also named as the best train operator for requested assistance for passengers.

One in five people in the UK have a disability or specific physical requirements, including around 1.2 million wheelchair users, and more than 7,000 people who use assistance dogs.

Passenger Assistance is a freeto-use app, created by Transreport, and was nominated in the Scope Disability Equality Awards last year.

Transreport’s CEO and founder, Jay Shen, said: “Everyone deserves a stress-free break all year round, but particularly around celebrations such as Valentine’s Day when there is even greater emphasis on spending time with those special to you.

“Passenger Assistance is designed to make it simpler for disabled and older people to arrange assistance for the journeys they make on public transport.

“Last year, there were 746,724 requests for assistance from disabled, neurodivergent and older passengers made from our app. He continued: “It’s incredible to see so many users able to enjoy greater freedom.” n More information can be found online via: passengerassistance.com

JOSH WILLIAMS, a member of Reading Writers – the Ding’s longest-running writing group – looks at an award-winning collection of tales, all based around what makes us famous

READING’S longest-running writing group had cause to celebrate earlier this month after releasing their latest collection.

Reading Writers came together at Tutu’s Ethiopian Cafe in Palmer Park to mark the occasion.

The new anthology of stories, The Three Bs, takes beer, bulbs and biscuits as the theme. These are the industries which made Reading famous in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Yes, you could argue there’s a fourth B - bricks. Some of the stories sneak those into the mix as well.

Reading Writers has always welcomed a wide and diverse mix of people. The only requirement for membership is a love of the written word.

The Three Bs reflects that mix, with stories ranging from fantasy to thriller to slice-of-life.There really is something for every reader in the book.

Secretary Meg Woodward said: “Everyone involved is enormously proud of The Three Bs, which was a true group effort.

“A lovely cover painting by our chairperson, Ilaria Warren, is complemented with illustrations from the super-talented Eloise Curtis.

“A small committee of editors and designers took the time to make sure the book looks as good as it reads.”

Both Eloise and Ilaria read from the book during the party, with further contributions from Meg