Berkshire Observatory – Reading
The home of Reading's Joint Strategic Needs Assessment
Behind every statistic is a person; a family member, a friend, a neighbour and a life that matters. Drug and alcohol harm affects individuals, families and communities across Reading. It contributes to poor health, inequality, omelessness, family breakdown and, too often, preventable deaths. Yet addiction is never the whole story. Many people affected by drugs … Continue reading “Director of Public Health Annual Report 2026”
The Social Value Need Index is a free and open-source tool developed by WPI Strategy on behalf of the Social Value Commission with the insights of Combined Authorities and private sector practitioners. The tool allows users to select one or more local authorities, combined authorities or regions to understand the social value need of an … Continue reading “The Social Value Need Index”
Reading Whole Systems Approach to Healthy Weight Strategy (2026-2036) The Reading Whole Systems Approach to Healthy Weight Strategy (2026-2036) sets out a shared vision for creating a healthier Reading, where all residents have the opportunity to achieve and maintain a healthy weight throughout their lives. Recognising that healthy weight is influenced by a wide range … Continue reading “Whole Systems Approach to Healthy Weight Strategy 2026-2036 and Implementation Plan”
The Health and Wellbeing Board has recently approved and published a new “State of the Borough” Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) Report for Reading. This outlines the current and future health and care needs of the local population. We encourage you to take a look at the full report and use its insights to inform … Continue reading “New “State of the Borough” Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) Report for Reading”
A Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) is a legal requirement for every Health and Wellbeing Board in England. It examines the current and future needs of the local population and assesses whether pharmacy services are adequately equipped to meet them. NHS England uses the PNA to decide whether new pharmacies should be allowed to open or … Continue reading “New Reading Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment published for 2025-2028”
The first 1001 days, from conception to age two, are the most critical in shaping a child’s future. Read the full report to find out more about how Reading is working to give every child the best start in life.
The following awareness events occur in January. Learn about our borough’s communities that are relevant to these events, by accessing data and information available from the Reading Borough Observatory. January 2024: Dry January – This is an annual campaign that encourages people to go free from alcohol for a month. The Berkshire West Drug and … Continue reading “Awareness events in January”