"The client was very grateful and could not believe that people she had never met had offered to help her, especially when her own friends and family had not given her that support."
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Torch facilitates a network of local churches and charities working together to provide a helping hand to those who otherwise cannot get help and tend to fall through the gaps of existing provision.
Each month Torch volunteers support 30-40 individuals and families with a wide range of free personal and practical help. In addition we offer signposting to other organisations with specialist expertise, to support groups and to activities hosted by local churches.
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Parish Nurse
Torch Help Hub is excited to announce that we are recruiting for the role of Parish Nurse(s) to be based in the communities of Coley and Southcote in West Reading.
Torch already works closely with the Parish Nurse in South Reading. This new development will integrate and run alongside the current activities of Torch with the aim of helping to improve and maintain the holistic health and wellbeing of local people in these more deprived areas. Find out more here.
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“I pray that the Lord will bless and protect you, and that he will show you mercy and kindness. May the Lord be good to you and give you peace.”Numbers 6:24-26
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Community Support Hub
Our Community Support Hub has information on the events, activities and help available from local churches and Christian charities to support the community.
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Stories of Hope
Anna, Social PrescriberAleka, client"You are all wonderful people, very kind and considerate. My kids are finally settled in their home near mine and I owe you for that. Best wishes to you and your families."
"I now enjoy my relationship with my Pappa Lord and He is now a constant in my life..."
"Finally, I can see a bright future and I always say there is a light ahead of me!"
"We’re built for relationships, and shutting everyone out only adds to the spiral of despair and darkness."
"I found friends, a family and a community of people who accepted me and my family. I was welcomed as if they had known me for a long time."
"There were many times when I didn’t know how I would get through the day, but there was never a time when I doubted God’s existence, or his love for our family."
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Partnering for Good
We take referrals and are pleased to work in partnership with the local agencies below and complement the work of other local charities. You will also find lots of help through our Community Support Hub listing church and charity based activities and events from across Reading and the surrounding areas.
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What we offer
Urgent help
Are you in urgent need of anything?
We offer short term support for anyone in need or unable to get out. For example, we can collect your food shopping, pick up a prescription for you, or connect you with another local charity or organisation for longer term help.Enhanced wellbeing
Would you like someone to chat or pray with you?
We can help provide friendly support to improve your emotional and mental wellbeing, such as chatting or praying with you.Confidence building
Can we help build your confidence to get back on your feet?
We can help you get out of the house for social re-engagement or to attend appointments, etc.Advocacy
Do you need support when attending an important appointment?
We can go with you to critical appointments to support you in stressful times of anxiety and uncertainty.Practical tasks
Can we help with essential practical tasks (basic DIY/gardening)?
We’d love to help with small essential jobs around the house or garden that you’re unable to do yourself. If the job is too big for us, we can point you other charities or organisations that will be able to help.Personal help
Do you need help with paperwork, CVs or form filling?
We can help with the aspects of every day life such as paperwork, writing CVs, filling out forms or sorting post. -
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Request Help
We aim to support anyone within the greater Reading area who has an unmet need and no means of getting help to resolve the issue. We expect referrers and clients to have exhausted other available means of support and there to be no financial means to pay for the help. We do not seek to take on requests that can be better met by other organisations. Indeed you may find the help you are looking for on our Community Support Hub.
I want to make a Referral
You can make a self-referral (for personal help) or refer someone else
We accept referrals from the general public, agencies, charities, health professionals and local authorities.
I have a Query
If you would like to ask a question before making a referral or wish to make contact for other reasons then please ask.
If you would like to speak with us, please call 0118 380 0260. If we are unavailable at the time, please leave a message and we will return your call.
We are typically available in working hours Monday to Thursday and will aim to get back to you as soon as possible within 5 working days.