We offer help and support for migrants in Bracknell Forest, along with our partners.
The list below includes local services and organisations that can offer support to help families settle in Bracknell Forest.
Local services and charities
Bracknell foodbank
Location: Kerith Community Church, Church Road, Bracknell, RG12 1EH
Website: Bracknell foodbank
Email: foodbank@kerith.church
Phone: 01344 862699
Open: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday from 10:30am to midday
Bracknell Forest school admissions
Bracknell Jobcentre Plus
Location: Origin, Western Road, Bracknell RG12 1US
Website: Bracknell Jobcentre Plus
Phone:
- general: 0800 169 0190
- new benefit claims: 0800 055 6688
- universal Credit: 0800 328 5644
Opening hours:
- Monday, 9am to 5pm
- Tuesday, 9am to 5pm
- Wednesday, 10am to 5pm
- Thursday, 9am to 5pm
- Friday, 9am to 5pm
Citizens Advice East Berkshire
Free, impartial and confidential advice and information.
Website: Citizens Advice East Berkshire
Phone: 0808 278 7914
Local Citizens Advice outreach centres
Crowthorne Baptist Church, 144 High Street, Crowthorne, RG45 7AT
Drop-in advice service every third Friday of the month during term time - 10am to midday.
Sandhurst Town Council, Yorktown Road, Sandhurst, GU47 9BJ
Pre-booked appointment advice service on alternate Tuesday mornings during term time. Call 01252 879060 to book an appointment.
Crowthorne foodbank
Location: Vineyard Church Centre, 25 Wellington Business Park, Duke's Ride
Crowthorne, RG45 6LS
Website: Crowthorne Foodbank
Email: info@crowthorne.foodbank.org.uk
Phone: 01344 780087
Involve community services
Involve can provide access to a range of practical and mental health support through the local charity, community and faith sector.
Opening hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 9am to 5pm
- Friday: 9am to 4:30pm
Location: The Court House, Broadway, Bracknell, RG12 1AE
Website: Involve
Email: reception@involve.community
Phone: 01344 304 304
National Careers Service (Adviza)
Location: 11th Floor, Ocean House, The Ring, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 1AX
Website: Adviza
Email: info@adviza.org.uk
Phone: 0118 402 7050
Reading Refugee Support Group
Location: First Floor, R.I.S.C., 35-39 London Street, Reading, RG1 4PS
Website: Reading Refugee Support Group
Email: info@rrsg.org.uk
Phone: 01189 505 356
The Ark Trust - Bracknell Forest community hub
Our network of volunteers can help you with certain day to day tasks if you:
- have COVID-19
- have been advised to continue to isolate at home due to a medical condition or treatment
We can offer support including picking up essential items and supplies from the local foodbanks.
You do not need to register. When you need the community response network:
- email community@theark.org.uk
- phone: 01344 266911
The community hub is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm (closed Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays).
English language support
Bracknell Open Learning Centre
Community Learning at Bracknell Open Learning Centre offer English language courses.
Level: basic, intermediate and advanced
Cost: free
Type of learning: in class
For more information, contact the Community Learning Team by:
- email: community.learning@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
- phone: 01344 354220
Bracknell and Wokingham College
Course name: English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)
Level: basic (with supporting materials for intermediate and advanced)
Cost: this course may have a cost - contact the provider for more details
Type of learning: in class
For more information, contact Lauren Goldring on:
- email: lauren.goldring@activatelearning.ac.uk
- phone: 01344 766290
Lingolia
Course name: English Grammar Online
Level: intermediate, advanced business English
Cost: free
Type of learning: online
For more information, visit the English Grammer Online website, or contact Mario Müller and Heike Pahlow on:
- email: contact@lingo4u.de
- phone: +49 34292 632170
ESOL Courses
Course name: English Lessons Online
Level: basic, intermediate and advanced
Type of learning: online
Cost: free
For more information, visit the ESOL Courses website, or contact Sue Lyon-Jones on feedback@esolcourses.com.
BBC
Course name: BBC Learning English
Level: easy, medium and hard
Type of learning: online
Cost: free
Visit the BBC Learning English website to start learning.
Influent Programmes
Course name: Home Tuition Programme
Level: basic, intermediate, advanced and business English
Type of learning: in person
Cost: this course has a cost - contact the provider for more details
For more information, visit the Influent Programmes website, or contact be@influentme.com.
Language International
Language International can help you find in-person English Language tuition with a private tutor. Some tuition options are residential.
Level: basic, intermediate, advanced and business English
Type of learning: in person
Cost: these courses have a cost - contact the provider for more details
To search for a provider, visit the Language International website.
VSI Razom
VSI Razom offers English Language lessons. They are based in Princess Square.
Type of learning: in person
Cost: free
Dates:
- Monday, 1pm to 3pm - beginners
- Tuesday, 12:30pm to 2:30pm - entry 3
- Wednesday, 10am to midday - beginners
- Friday, 10am to midday - beginners cafe
Mental health support and counselling
Barnardo’s children’s charity
Free helpline staffed by English, Ukrainian and Russian speakers, to offer support to children and families arriving in the UK from Ukraine.
The helpline is open Monday to Friday,10am to 8pm and Saturday, 10am to 3pm.
Phone: 0800 148 8586
Bracknell Forest mental health support
Access council and partner services on mental health and wellbeing on our website.
British Red Cross
The charity supports people from Ukraine who are in the UK.
For emotional support, call the free British Red Cross support line.
Phone: 0808 196 3651 - open 10am to 6pm
If you need a support line interpreter, call and say 'can I speak to an interpreter?'.
Cruse bereavement service
Cruse help with support, counselling, education, advice and information on bereavement issues.
Website: Cruse Bereavement Support
Email: cruse.tvberks@btconnect.com
Phone: 01344 411919
Happiness Hub
The Happiness Hub is a service run by Bracknell Forest Council. It runs a variety of events and sessions aimed at improving mental health.
Website: Happiness Hub events
Phone: call the council on 01344 352000 and ask for the Happiness Hub Team
NHS Talking Therapies Berkshire
NHS Talking Therapies Berkshire is a friendly service for people aged over 17 with common mental health problems such as low mood, anxiety and stress.
Website: NHS Talking Therapies Berkshire
Email: talkingtherapies@berkshire.nhs.uk
Phone: 0300 365 2000 (open weekdays 8am to 8pm and until 5pm on Fridays)