Hello JP Readers,
February has been a wonderfully busy and inspiring month here at Reading! As we settle further into our new area, we’ve been enjoying getting out and about, discovering what our local community has to offer, and trying lots of new experiences together. The month has been a perfect mix of creativity, learning, and connection, and it’s been amazing to see everyone thriving in different ways and gain confidence in their new routines.
Just on our Doorstep
One of the highlights of this month has been exploring our new neighbourhood, set in the beautiful countryside of Yattendon, where The Reading Barn is located. Surrounded by rolling hills, peaceful lanes, and scenic farmland, the area provides a tranquil and inspiring backdrop for all our activities. There’s so much to see and do, and we’ve been making the most of every opportunity to get to know our surroundings. We’ve enjoyed local walks around the area, taking in the fresh air, spotting wildlife, and appreciating the natural beauty just beyond our doorstep. One memorable visit was to a charming café run by Style Acres, where we sampled delicious treats, experienced warm hospitality, and got a real sense of local community spirit. Another exciting outing was to the Nature Discovery Centre in Thatcham, where we explored hands-on exhibits, learned about local wildlife, and enjoyed the interactive outdoor trails. These trips have been more than just excursions, they’ve been opportunities for everyone to build confidence, enjoy social interactions, and feel a sense of belonging within the wider community.
Handmade with Heart
Valentine’s Day gave us the perfect excuse to get creative and celebrate the people who matter most. This year, we focused on two fun and thoughtful projects: making wooden heart wreaths and chocolate cornflake cakes. Creating the wooden heart wreaths allowed everyone to explore their crafty side. We painted, decorated, and personalised each wreath with colours, textures, and embellishments that reflected our personalities and the people we were making them for. The chocolate cornflake cakes were a delicious, hands on treat, the members enjoyed mixing, shaping, and decorating them together.
Nourish to Flourish
February has also been a month of reflection and self-care. We focused on exploring healthy habits and lifestyles, discussing how we can look after both our bodies and minds. Through interactive sessions, we learned about balanced nutrition, staying active, the importance of rest, and strategies to support mental wellbeing.
Everyoneshared their own tips and experiences, helping each other set realistic and achievable personal goals. One of our favourite activities was making colourful watermelon “pizzas.” Using fresh watermelon slices as a base, we topped them with a variety of fruits, yoghurt, and healthy extras to create bright, delicious snacks. This fun and hands on session sparked great conversations about balance and how healthy eating doesn’t mean giving up the foods we enjoy but instead finding creative and nourishing alternatives. It was a fantastic way to explore portion control, food groups, and the importance of variety, all while enjoying something naturally sweet and refreshing.
We then applied what we had learned when Pancake Day arrived! As we built our pancakes, we talked about making balanced choices, adding fresh fruit, yoghurt, and lighter toppings alongside traditional favourites. It was a great opportunity to put our knowledge into practice, thinking about how small swaps and mindful choices can make a difference while still keeping food fun and enjoyable.
Teamwork Topped with Cheese!
This month we also introduced a fantastic “Work Experience” Day, transforming The
Reading Barn into our very own Pizzeria! The space was full of excitement as everyone took on different roles within the restaurant. Members learned how to take each other’s orders clearly and carefully, practising communication skills, listening attentively, and writing down accurate details. They then used these orders to help design and plan their pizzas, thinking about toppings, quantities, and presentation.
Once their designs were complete, it was time to put their plans into action.
Following the written orders step by step, everyone prepared and assembled their pizzas just as requested, developing independence, organisation, and teamwork along the way. The session was not only lots of fun, but also a brilliant way to build real-life skills in a practical and engaging setting. Best of all, everyone went home proudly with their handmade pizzas to share with their families!
