Many avid readers and library users must have wondered sometimes how they would manage to obtain a supply of library books if they were unable to visit the library themselves. It is perhaps not well known that West Berkshire Libraries operate a delivery service to over 120 housebound readers or that this valuable lifeline of delivering books and books on tape is delivered by volunteers every three weeks and the demand is growing.

Christine Owen Central Services Manager said "The housebound service is a lifesaver to many elderly and disabled people, we hear regularly of volunteers being told how much their clients value the service and how they couldn’t live without their books. . The volunteer is often a welcome visitor and we have mums who take their young children along with them and the housebound person becomes another granny or granddad. It is a very rewarding service to be involved with."

The service covers all of West Berkshire so wherever you live there will be an opportunity for you to become involved. If you have a few hours to spare every 3 weeks and would like to contribute to an important and valued service please contact the mobile and housebound service team at Newbury Library on 01635 519827 or Christine Owen on 01635 519904.

A new project has been launched by the West Berkshire Council for Voluntary Service and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers to establish a service to support carers. Christine Eeley is the Carers Liaison Officer, she has been a carer herself and knows how difficult life can be. She would like to hear from any carer who has thoughts and ideas on how any new service for carers might be developed so that it is helpful and appropriate. Perhaps more local support, social activities, readily available information, classes in stress management, relaxation or aromotheraphy.

Do give Christine a call, she can be contacted on 01635 523861 on Tuesdays between 9-1pm

The Community Council for Berkshire has recently launched the Countryside Agency’s Vital Villages Roadshow across West Berkshire with events in Brimpton Village hall on 10^th April 7.30pm and Tidmarsh Villages Hall on 18^th April at 7.30pm. Anyone is welcome to come along to hear about the funding opportunities, advice and support available under the Vital Villages Scheme. A number of West Berkshire Villages are in the process of applying for grants to develop Parish Plans and residents in Mortimer have recently saved their bus route with a Parish Transport Grant.

Contact the Community Council for Berkshire for details of the Vital Villages Scheme, your group or community may be able to benefit. The Community Council for Berkshire can be contacted on 0118 9612000

Would you like to have a go at using personal computers?

Are you too nervous to join a class or enrol at one of the IT Learning centres because you are uncertain whether computers are your "thing".

The Community Lap Top project may meet your needs. The project supported by West Berkshire Council, the Community Council for Berkshire, Newbury College and the Newbury Volunteer Bureau organise taster courses. If you can get together a group of 6 to 10 people then a tutor and some volunteer helpers will bring a set of laptop computers to the venue of your choice. Taster courses can be 1 session or 3 sessions leading on to courses lasting 6 weeks or longer.

You will learn how to switch on, use a mouse, play simple games, make cards, cut and paste, insert photographs and to use the Internet. If you want, the group will also be taken to an IT Learning centre or Internet Café to see how they work.

Are you curious? Would you like to find out more? Then contact Sarah Hanson, Life Long Learning Project Officer at West Berkshire Education Service on 01635-519792.