SouthcotePantry

22/06/2026

🌞 Hot Weather Advice for Pantry Members

With temperatures expected to reach 36°C, we want to help everyone stay safe during the heat.

The Pantry will be open as usual tomorrow, Tuesday 23 June, but please do not arrive early to queue outside. The doors will not open before the usual times:
• 2:30pm for CommuniCare and ticket distribution
• 3:00pm for Pantry members

If you are coming to the Pantry, please:
💧 Bring a bottle of water
🧢 Wear a hat or other sun protection
☀️ Avoid standing in the heat for long periods

Please note that only cold drinks will be served in the café.

After you have completed your shopping, we encourage you to return home as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary exposure to the heat.

Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe during this period of very hot weather. We look forward to seeing you and appreciate your cooperation.

11/06/2026

Request for Pantry Support

We’re so grateful for the continued kindness shown to our community pantry.

If you’d like to support us, we’ve put together an Amazon Wish List of items that directly help us keep our shelves stocked for local individuals and families. Donations are always received with deep appreciation and make a real difference in helping us provide consistent support each week.

We distribute around 300–400 items every week, and every contribution—big or small—helps us continue doing that.

If you feel able, you can view our wish list here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/3UZU5I0BRHWNH?ref_=wl_share

Thank you for being part of a caring community. Your support helps bring comfort and stability to people who need it most.

09/06/2026

03/06/2026

Final NHS Health Checks at Southcote Pantry
Tuesday 16 June
2.30-5.00pm
Southcote Family Church, RG30 3BL

We would like to notify you that Tuesday 16 June will be the FINAL opportunity to receive a FREE NHS Health Check at the pantry.

These health checks are available not only to pantry members but also to your family, friends and neighbours, so please help us spread the word.

A simple health check can identify signs of health conditions that may otherwise go unnoticed, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and other concerns. In many cases, it can lead to referrals for further investigations or treatment before a condition becomes more serious.

Many people feel perfectly well and are surprised to discover an underlying health issue. Taking a few minutes for a check-up could make a significant difference to your health and wellbeing.

✅ Free of charge
✅ Quick and confidential
✅ Open to members, family, friends and neighbours

Please take advantage of this final session and encourage those around you to do the same. Your health is important, and this may be an opportunity that could genuinely make a difference.

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday 16 June.

18/05/2026

This year we are celebrating 30 years as a registered charity! 🎉
To mark this milestone, we’re running a big fundraising raffle — and we’d love your support.
🎟️ Tickets:
£1 per ticket or £5 per book
🎁 There are some fantastic prizes up for grabs, including:
• Big Church Festival tickets with camping.
• Marvellous Festival tickets.
• Cafe Yolk vouchers.
• LEGO bundles.
• Workshops at Reading Sewing Bee.
• Wellington Country Park vouchers.
• Champagne.
• Wine.
• Food Hamper.
• Toy Hampers.
• Pamper Hamper.
• Pottery painting vouchers
…and much more!
If you’d like to take part, simply email [email protected] with how many tickets you’d like. We’ll then email you a secure SumUp payment link. Once payment has been made, we’ll allocate your ticket numbers and confirm your entry into the draw.

📅 The draw will take place on 6th June, and all winners will be contacted afterwards.

Every penny raised helps us continue supporting people across Reading who are facing hardship.

Thank you so much for your continued support — it truly makes a difference, and we couldn’t do it without you. ❤️

18/05/2026

🩺 NHS Health Checks at the Pantry Tomorrow 🩺

We’re pleased to be hosting free NHS Health Checks tomorrow at Southcote Family Church from 3.00pm–5.15pm.

This service is open to all members of the Southcote community who would like to be seen by qualified NHS professionals for a free health check.

The check includes:
• Height & weight
• Blood pressure
• Heart rate
• Oxygen saturation levels
• Cholesterol testing
• Blood sugar testing

If anything significant is identified, you will be offered referral for further advice and follow-up support.

It’s a great opportunity to give yourself a simple “health MOT” and potentially identify any issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Our Parish Nurse will also be on site and available to chat about any other health concerns you may have.

📍 Southcote Family Church
🕒 Tomorrow, 3.00pm–5.15pm

Everyone in the Southcote community is welcome.

09/05/2026

As many of you know, Southcote Pantry is part of FAITH Christian Group who run ReadiFood Food Bank, ReadiStreet, A Bed for the Night and eight other Pantries across the town of Reading.
We're so excited to support the launch of Readicook, Faith's newest collaboration.

💜 Introducing ReadiCook 💜

We are so excited to launch ReadiCook — a brand new collaboration between Faith Christian Group and Torch Help Hub!

ReadiCook is all about bringing life, health, and hope to individuals and families within our Pantry network through practical food coaching sessions that combine:

✔️ Cookery skills
✔️ Nutrition understanding
✔️ Budget-friendly meal planning
✔️ Confidence in the kitchen

Through hands-on learning, we want to help people prepare affordable, healthy meals from scratch, reduce food costs, and make informed choices that support long-term wellbeing.

💜 At the heart of ReadiCook is our desire to see people flourish — practically, physically, and spiritually.

Our first six-week pilot course, Healthy Snacks and Packed Lunches, launched last month at Southcote Family Church.

More information will be shared soon.

Please help us spread the word by liking, sharing, and praying for this exciting new project!

05/05/2026

CommuniCare dates

Our CommuniCare advisor, Lynn, will be taking a well earned break on 12th and 19th May, so she will not be at Pantry to offer her usual friendly and expert advice.

We welcome Lynn back on 26th May.