12 | NEWS
To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, May 5, 2022
The hall wa the sound o
By EMMA MERCHANT emerchant@wokingham.today
Almost half of Reading businesses have employees suffering from long Covid
A
recent survey has shown that 46% of businesses have employees who have suffered with symptoms of long Covid in the past 12 months. A quarter of these even list long Covid as a main cause of long-term sickness. However, it seems that around 20% of businesses are still unaware that their employees were experiencing ongoing symptoms.
As a local HR agency we urge business owners and managers to take a keen interest in the health and wellbeing of their people. Long Covid is an ongoing issue, and cases seem to be rising all the time and to deal with it, we believe it’s especially important that employers create a supportive and open working environment where employees feel able to highlight their health concerns. While many employers are doing as much as they can to help employees who are struggling, and while long Covid itself isn’t classed as a disability. In serious cases it may become something to consider due to the length of time it affects day to day life. So, it’s a good idea to suggest employees who are struggling get a proper diagnosis. Not only does this allow employers to make reasonable adjustments to roles like flexible working or adjusting hybrid working arrangements - it also gives employers increased loyalty and productivity in return from those workers in the long term. It can be a difficult situation to navigate, and communication is key. If you’re unsure about the best way to handle a case of long Covid, you can always seek professional HR advice to avoid making a costly decision. For a short time, we are offering local businesses a free HR Health Check and to answer any tricky HR questions business owners may have. Contact us today to find out how we might help you.
Organic P&O Solutions
T: +44 1344 441 043 E: contactus@organicposolutions.co.uk
www.organicposolutions.co.uk
TEA, cakes and Polish-style nibbles were available at The Cornerstone in Wokingham last Sunday afternoon.
AUTHOR: Ruth Jones with her first book for children. Picture: Steve Smyth
How Ruth’s new book started life on her mobile MOST people keep family photos and favourite music lists on their mobile phones, writes James Hastings. But Ruth Jones stored a children’s book she wrote in between running a successful career and raising two children. The text lay there for five years while Ruth and husband Rob moved between the United States, Canada and their home in Woodley. Finally, she downloaded her story called Doug the Bug, polished it off and has now published it to great reviews. “I used to read to my children but I could never find a book they really liked,” explained Ruth. “I used to think that I could do better so that’s when I started making notes which turned into a story and Dough the Bug was born. “I dabbled with it over the years and eventually decided I should publish it. My children love it and people have commented very favourably when I do readings or sell it at various fetes and other events.”
The story of Doug’s adventures is aimed at pre-school children up to the age of six. Ruth hired an illustrator and the finished book is now available on Amazon. Added Ruth: “Doug the Bug is sad and needs cheering up. Luckily he meets his friend Geoff the Giraffe who helps Doug see things from a different point of view. “The story is told in a lively rhyming way and encourages young children to find happiness and confidence in being themselves.” Ruth works four days a week as a senior learning designer providing e-learning training and is working on more adventures for Doug and friends. “I am thrilled to read the Amazon reviews as well as those from people in Reading who have bought a copy and tell me their children love Doug. I will be doing a reading at the Charvil fete in September.” n Doug the Bug is published in paperback at £5.99, and is available from Amazon.
Shaggy-haired new residents ... are enrolled straight into the art class
ONE OF the joys of bringing a new pet home is deciding what to call them. Residents of a Sindlesham care home did just that recently when staff introduced them to their very own guinea pigs. The furry creatures have been brought in to brighten the lives of Lord Harris Court residents, as part of a push towards improving their mental health and wellbeing. And the new arrivals were quickly taken to heart by the residents, who have incorporated them into their daily routines. Plans for them include launching a guinea pig life-drawing session. Resident Joan Parr, who is 99, said: “They are so nice to look at and hold. I have enjoyed drawing them in Art Club.” The staff also enjoy the company of these new furry arrivals Sharon Fletcher, one of Home’s Activities Coordinators, said: “The guinea pigs have been a fantastic addition to the Lord Harris Court family.
NEW HOME: RMBI Home Lord Harris Court Home Manager Abigail Cranston and resident Joan Parr stroke one of the care home’s new guinea pigs. “Tummy tickles, backstroking, and little chats have helped residents recall happy events and memories from the past.” n For more details, log on to: http:// www.rmbi.org.uk/
Around 120 people attended the welcome event for Ukrainian refugees and their local host families. An opportunity to talk and to mix, the event was very well attended. There was a positive buzz of conversation. People chatted in English, or Ukrainian, with some using phone apps to translate between the two. A giant game of Jenga and a craft table entertained the children. The Revd Becky Medlicott, curate at All Saints Church, organised the event after hearing from people keen to help Wokingham’s new arrivals. She explained: “At meetings of Churches Together Wokingham, everyone has been asking how they can support Ukrainian families. This event is a first step to begin to find that out. It’s also a place for people to make connections, share their experiences and pass on tips.” Anna, from the Ukraine, found the afternoon helpful. Her sister has recently joined her in Wokingham. “It is good for new arrivals to find connections,” she said. “They can discuss their experiences here and share what they have learnt already. They haven’t been with their host families long and their English was coming together, but here they can speak their own language, discuss their emotions, their experiences, their fears.” The afternoon was also an opportunity for host families to pass on information and to help each other. Win, a seasoned host, shared her experiences. She explained: “Hosting a refugee is not simple and placements can break down.
WARM WELCOME: Some of the Ukrainian gue “It’s great when people want to open their homes, but it’s important to think carefully about what you can actually offer.” Hosts don’t simply offer a bed and somewhere to live. They help guests to participate in a new life, guiding them through all the necessary systems. They may assist their guests with the setting up of bank accounts, with applications for financial support, or to find employment. Securing school places for the children seems to have been the most difficult task for some of the host families. Emma, hosting Anya and her family, said: “Having our Ukrainian family with us is great. They are lovely. “Form filling for all the services can be tough, though, and school places are particularly difficult to find. “I’ve had to work very hard indeed to get Anya’s son into our local primary school.” Anya wanted to express her gratitude, and, using her phone to translate said: “I have a wonderful sponsor. She is very organised, attentive, concerned about us, and
That’s super, man ... twin date for orchestra READING Symphony Orchestra enjoyed a weekend in Dusseldorf, the town’s twin, where they performed with the Orchester der Landesregierung Düsseldorf in its Sounds of Hollywood concert. Eighteen members of orchestra, plus conductor Stefan Hofkes and family members, joined the OdL for an evening of music that included the soundtracks to Superman, James Bond, Pink Panther and many more. The two music groups were last due to play together in Reading in July 2020, but the plan was postponed due to covid. This trip marked the 25th anniversary since the twinning of orchestras began, and the OdL will come to Reading in March next year. Before that, RSO has a busy few weeks. On Saturday, May 21, it will perform a children’s concert at Reading
Minster Church. Starting at 3pm, the show will feature Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite with narration by David Barrell. The show features some fantastic adventures including falling in love with a girl he’s not allowed to marry, running away to the mountains only to be caught by trolls, getting into a scrape with the troll king, escaping to far-flung climes and being shipwrecked on his way home to Norway many years later. The music draws on the Norwegian folk tunes of his homeland. The music includes a gentle wake-up call with Morning Mood, and Peer Gynt tiptoeing to escape the trolls In the Hall of the Mountain King. And on Saturday, June 25, the RSO will perform its summer concert at St Paul’s Church in Wokingham. For this, they will be joined
