South Reading Leisure Centre and Social Inclusion projects
Part four of our Reading FC Community Trust showcase will shine a spotlight on the vital Socail Inclusion activities that take place at South Reading Leisure Centre in Whitley.
The facility has undergone a building and refurbishment project with investment totalling almost £500,000, and the site now hosts projects such as Reading Alternative Provision (RAP), Kicks Targeted, Football Camps, Development Centres, and Special Educations Needs (SEND) After School Clubs.
Full details on the facility can be found below:
South Reading Leisure Centre – the base of Reading FC Community Trust Social Inclusion department
In February 2024, Reading FC Community Trust moved its Social Inclusion department from the Select Car Leasing Stadium to a newly refurbished facility at South Reading Leisure Centre.
The Social Inclusion Team provide a vital provision to children and young adults in the Reading area using the power of football to provide a variety of activities in a controlled environment, and the dedicated site allows the team to harbour a safe space for all participants.
During the process of finding the site, the Trust investigated several sites with the support of Reading Borough Council, and eventually agreed for the South Reading site to be the central hub to deliver the activites by the Social Inclusion department.
The process took 18 months of planning and 6 months of building for the site to be ready to facilitate the staff and activities delivered by the Trust. Unfortunately, a successful application to the Football foundation couldn’t be agreed by the council, therefore the Trust took the decision to finance the project in full, totalling just under £500,000.
A 21 year lease was agreed, securing the facility for the Trust through that time in partnership with Reading Borough Council. The site now houses a number of activities, and has given the Trust an opportunity to grow the department. Activities on the site include:
Reading Alternative Provision (RAP)
- RAP is an alternative provision held at South Reading Leisure Centre, supporting students who find the standard education system challenging.
- Over 100 students attend RAP throughout the week.
- The initiative offers young people the chance to engage with effective PSHE workshops, both practical and classroom-based, creating a nurturing and supportive learning environment and enhancing a young person’s life skills.
- The aim is to support young people in areas such as communication, problem-solving, self-efficacy, resilience, empowerment and independence. Student reviews will be completed, using the Warwick Edinburgh mental health scale, and Outcomes Star
Other activities
- Kicks Targeted – One-to-one support which incorporates offending behaviour sessions, life skills sessions and constructive activities for young people to re-engage them with their local communities.
- Football Camps - Catering to boys and girls aged 5 to 14 years old, our school holiday based courses are highly popular for children of all abilities. Giving participants the chance to learn the fundamentals of the beautiful game, from professional coaches.
- Development Centres - Where grassroots players who show potential are invited to receive additional coaching offering them a pathway into academy football.
- SEND After School Clubs - Multi-sports clubs and play courses for children and young people, offering short breaks during school holidays to promote fun, friendship, and skill development.
The Trust are delighted with the new facility at South Reading, it’s given the them a home for 21 years and enables continuing work with partnership groups within Whitley and further surrounding areas. The rooms are a multi-use facility allowing the participants to feel relaxed and enjoy their environment.
The kitchen has given our alternative provision another opportunity for the young adults to show their talents, not all want to do sport, but cooking has proven to be very popular.