Discover our latest programme of courses and workshops designed to support mental health, wellbeing, and personal growth. This season, Compass offers a diverse range of opportunities to learn, connect, and thrive – whether you’re exploring recovery, building resilience, or simply looking for a welcoming community.
Our sessions are open to everyone over 18 years old in the Reading area – whether you’re new or returning, facing mental health challenges, supporting someone else, or just want to learn more.
Our workshops focus on self-care, mental health and practical skills for living well. They are created and led by people with lived experience and mental health professionals.
You don’t need a referral or diagnosis to join — just come as you are.
Everyone is welcome. Start your journey with us today!
Telephone: 01189 373 945
Email: compass.opportunities@reading.gov.uk
I just knew I was unwell and felt scared. When my children became adults, they helped me leave and supported me to speak to my GP and access local services. Through Berkshire West Your Way, I found Compass. From the start, the staff were so friendly.
I remember being given a notebook and pen – it struck me: something for myself. I still have that notebook. I began with workshops on Psychosis, Panic Attacks, Anxiety, and Depression. Hearing tutors say, “this happened to me” was life-changing.
I realised I wasn’t alone. I learned how the mind works and how to manage my mental health.
Money Matters was transformative. As an ethnic minority woman leaving abuse, I feared the future.
The Recovery team helped me find answers from housing support, money, food, everything. My anxiety reduced, and I felt stronger.
I live independently, I’m studying and volunteering, and I’m looking forward to working soon.
At the heart of Compass is a shared commitment to kindness, inclusion, and respect. To help everyone feel safe and supported, we ask all participants and staff to follow these ten key principles.
The full version of our Code of Conduct is available at every session and during registration.
If anything is unclear, please ask a member of the Compass team to explain.
Read the full version:
www.compassrecoverycollege.uk/compass-charter
Treat all participants, facilitators, and staff with kindness and respect.
Respect the privacy of others, and do not share anything outside the group.
Take part where you can. Listen to others and give everyone space to share.
Look after your wellbeing and let us know if you feel uncomfortable at any point.
Join from a quiet space if possible. Keep your mic off when not speaking. Respect others as you would in person.
Offer feedback in a respectful, helpful way.
We do not allow verbal, emotional, or physical abuse of any kind. Substances including alcohol, drugs, vapes, or nicotine must not be used during sessions.
Follow the structure and boundaries set for each session.
If you have concerns or something is wrong, please speak to a Compass team member as soon as you can.
If the code is broken, we may ask someone to leave the session or take further action if necessary.
These workshops help us understand mental health challenges. They focus on increasing knowledge, building confidence, and learning
self-management skills that support us in everyday life.
Wellbeing sessions are designed to help us feel better and stay well. They offer space to be creative, get active, and connect with others in a positive way.
This in-person workshop is designed to provide a deeper understanding of how Autism uniquely manifests in females. This session will explore the specific challenges women with Autism face and navigating the world of support. No diagnosis is necessary to attend — whether you are personally affected by Autism, or a caregiver seeking to understand and support, this workshop offers a safe and inclusive space to learn and connect.
Hosted on Zoom
Thursday 22nd, 29th January
1:00pm – 3:00pm
Learn how gender identity and expression shape our experiences in this supportive and inclusive workshop. Explore the foundations of gender and the barriers that impact inclusion. Learn about lived experience voices, practice empathy, and gain practical strategies for using affirming language in everyday life. Connect with others in a supported environment. Open to anyone interested in deepening their understanding of gender or supporting someone on their journey.
South Street Arts Centre
Wednesday 4th, 11th, 18th March
1:00pm – 2:30pm
Emotions are part of our daily lives, but navigating and understanding our emotions can be difficult. At times it can feel like we are on an emotional roller coaster, with no way of slowing down. Emotions and how we express them can impact on many areas of our lives, such as work, relationships, and our self-identity. In this workshop, we explore why we have emotions, why it can be hard to understand and manage our feelings, how emotions are expressed in body, mind, and behaviour. We will share skills to help us manage distress and overwhelming emotions.
Hosted on Zoom
Thursday 5th, 12th and 19th March
1:00pm – 2:30pm
Our thoughts have a powerful impact on how we feel and behave. This two-session workshop explores how unhelpful thinking patterns can contribute to stress, anxiety, and low mood. We will learn practical strategies to identify, challenge, and reframe negative thoughts to develop a more balanced and supportive mindset.
Hosted on Zoom
Wednesday 21st, 28th January
1:00pm – 3:00pm
Explore how financial health plays a key role in overall mental wellbeing. This program addresses money management, budgeting, and the emotional impact of financial stress, offering peer support and practical advice. You’ll learn how to take control of your financial situation, with the added benefit of connecting with others who share similar challenges and recovery goals.
South Street Arts Centre
Tuesday 13th, 20th, 27th January
1:00pm – 3:00pm
Social anxiety affects many of us and can limit our ability to engage more effectively in social opportunity and connection. We will start gently online with two sessions amongst peers, getting to know about each other and how we would like to move forwards. We will then, having broken the ice, have an in-person session together; further developing our connections; at the end of which we will, as a group, chose a drop-in session we would like to attend together. For our final session, we will do exactly that, with support from eachother. If you would like to seek support with your social anxiety, and find new social connections, this could be the workshop for you.
Online Tues 3rd and 10th February 1:00pm – 3:00pm
South Street Arts Centre 17th February
Drop-in date to be confirmed
Engage in creative expression through pottery, using the process to promote mindfulness and stress relief. This hands-on programme encourages participants to explore their emotions through art, fostering self-discovery and recovery in a supportive, peer-driven environment. By working with clay, you’ll not only create physical pieces but also build resilience, focus, and mental clarity.
Pottery will run twice during the winter term, with each part lasting for 5 weeks. You will only be offered a space on one.
New Directions College
Round 1: Fridays 16th, 23rd, 30th Jan. 6th, 13th Feb 10:30 am–12:30 pm
Round 2: Fridays 27th Feb. 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th Mar 10:30 am–12:30 pm
Moving from self-criticism to self-acceptance and compassion can be a shift in how we relate to ourselves. This 4-part workshop will focus on building the foundations of self-compassion as a stimulus to recovery and greater wellbeing. We will also be looking at the hidden parts of ourselves we protect, before integrating our work into a gentle practice we can take forwards into our lives.
South Street Arts Centre
Wednesday 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th February
1:00pm – 3:00pm
Come join us online each week for our drop-in mindfulness sessions on Zoom, where we slip straight into a gentle guided meditation focused on a theme such as Presence, Awareness, Discernment or Acceptance. This will be followed by time for reflection, sharing, discussion and journaling. Mindfulness is a wonderful practice that helps builds attention, deepens our connection and integration with ourselves, and supports both greater wellbeing and our capacity for change. No booking needed – just log on to connect with like-minded people and start the week in a lovely way!
Hosted on Zoom
Every Monday
10:30am – 12:00pm midday
Join us for our friendly Coffee Mornings, a relaxed opportunity to connect with others, enjoy a coffee, and catch up with friends. These gatherings are a great way to find out how we can support you on your journey, while meeting new people in a welcoming atmosphere. Our peer support workers and volunteers will be on hand to offer informal support, share experiences, and help with any questions you may have. Whether you’re looking for guidance or simply want to chat, come along and enjoy some time in good company!
The Biscuit Factory
Every Tuesday
11:00am – 12:30pm
It’s game night at our new weekly evening social connection drop-in session! Board games provide a relaxed and fun way to meet people and connect with friends, share conversation, stories and laughter. Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned enthusiast, everyone is welcome to come join us and play. Bring your own favourite game to share, join in with others, or borrow one of ours. There will be opportunities for both large group games and quieter games for pairs.
The Biscuit Factory
Every Tuesday
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Take a step towards better well-being with our gentle, mobility-friendly 1-mile walk, designed to get you moving at your own pace. Walk-Talk-Walk is all about connecting with others, enjoying the outdoors, and having a chat along the way. Whether you’re walking solo or with others, it’s a chance to talk, relax, and unwind. After the walk, we’ll end with a cozy coffee social – where you can enjoy a warm drink and continue the conversation in a welcoming, supportive environment. It’s all about moving, talking, and connecting.
Palmer Park, meeting outside Tutu’s Cafe
Every Wednesday
10:30am – 12:00pm midday
Unleash your creativity at Craft & Connect; a welcoming weekly drop-in designed for makers, artists, and craft lovers of all skill levels. Do you knit, sketch, weave, decoupage, sew, or macramé? Whatever your media, this is your space to work on your own projects. This is a relaxed social craft environment – there are no structured lessons, so feel free to bring your own materials, or join our beginner activities. Share inspiration, enjoy creative company and meet like-minded people, to exchange ideas and find encouragement in a friendly setting.
Lifespring Church
Every Thursday
10:00am – 12:00pm midday
Join our monthly cooking group where we focus on easy, affordable recipes designed to nourish both your body and mind. Each session, you’ll cook a new meal. Through this group, participants will not only improve their cooking abilities but also build confidence in the kitchen, connect with others, and gain valuable skills that can support personal wellbeing.
Whitley Wood Community Centre
Second Wednesday of the month
4:00pm – 5:30pm
This session is open to individuals aged 18-30. Join us in a laid-back, open space where you can grab a free hot drink, relax, and connect with others in a supportive, judgment-free zone. Whether you’re looking to chat, share, or just listen, & Chat Café is the perfect place to talk about life, mental health, or whatever’s on your mind. No pressure, just good vibes and real conversations.
This drop-in will be back in Spring 2026. If you have any feedback or ideas, please contact us or attend our feedback forum.
Informal Drop-in sessions.
Our team will be there to provide informal support and information around different subjects such as wellbeing, stress, sleep and more.
Whitley Community Development Association
Every 3rd Wednesday of the month
12:00pm midday – 1:00pm
Being part of the LGBT+ community can be isolating and presents many challenges to our mental health.
Our Coffee Social Drop-In is a peer support group for LGBT+ people to share their experiences in a safe space with a friendly atmosphere. Wherever you are on your journey, however you identify – whether you are part of the community or an ally – everyone is welcome.
The Biscuit Factory
Second Saturday of the month
1:00pm – 3:00pm
On our Registration page, we collect a little bit of information about you that’ll help us to safeguard you, our recovery workers and your fellow participants. It’ll only take ten minutes.
Please be aware, you’ll need to register at the beginning of every prospectus, even if you’ve already registered before.
Co-production means creating services with you rather than for you. At Compass, we believe people with lived experience should help shape what we offer — from designing and evaluating our offerings to improving how the college runs.
By joining our Co-Production Forum, you’ll share your ideas, challenge our thinking, and help turn real experiences into better support for everyone. No expertise needed — just your voice, creativity, and curiosity. Come and help us build the future of Compass together.
Please contact us if you would like to find out more.
0118 937 3945
compass.opportunities@reading.gov.uk
Our Recovery College is driven by co-production and co- design, so we are looking to work alongside people who bring enthusiasm, skills and experiences to help us get it right.
We are always keen to hear from potential volunteers at Compass. We have a variety opportunities for volunteering, keep an eye out on website for available roles.
Please contact us if you would like to find out more.
0118 937 3945
compass.opportunities@reading.gov.uk
The StayAlive app is a suicide prevention resource for the UK, packed full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis.
BrightSky is a free to download, confidential mobile app providing support and information for anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or those concerned about someone they know.
The Work Life Central program consists of a curated collection of expertise, information and inspiration available through video, live event and written format, covering five principal topic areas – Careers, Families, Inclusion, Wellbeing and Workplace.
Headspace is a science-backed app in mindfulness and meditation, providing unique tools and resources to help reduce stress, build resilience, and aid better sleep.
No, Compass workshops are free to all. Our workshops are open to all people in or connected to Reading over the age of 18.
To join our workshops, you need to create an account and book sessions via our online Portal on our website.
No, you don’t need a referral from a health professional. The ethos of our college is that participants enroll on any workshop they think might help and they might enjoy.
You will need access to an e-mail address. You will need a PC/laptop/tablet or phone and internet connection. All our online workshops take place on Zoom. A link will be sent to you via the email you provided.
Everyone must register for all our sessions. You may turn up to our drop-in sessions without prior registering, however the team will register you on arrival.
Please only register for workshops that you can attend and save the dates in your calendar. We will ask you to confirm your attendance via email 10 days before attending the workshop. If you do not confirm, your place will be offered to someone else.
Telephone: 01189 373 945
Email: compass.opportunities@reading.gov.uk
Find us at our weekly drop in sessions