WEST Berkshire Council has commissioned a community-based service to support residents across the district.

The service will begin in April and will be provided by Eight Bells in Newbury.

'Eight Bells for Community Strengths' will be working across the district to support people with a wide range of social, emotional or practical needs, helping individuals to access local services and groups and improve their physical and mental health and wellbeing.

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This service will be for adults over the age of 18 in West Berkshire and will help deliver on the council's priority to support vulnerable residents across the district.

Councillor Rick Jones, executive member for Public Health and Community Wellbeing said: "We are delighted to have Eight Bells on board to do this important work, following on from the great work performed by the Volunteer Centre West Berkshire.

"It is vital that we continue to help build social and community networks by linking people together. By working together, we can make real steps towards reducing social isolation and the issues that arise from that."

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Verity Murricane, co-chair of the Trustees of Eight Bells said: "This is a very exciting opportunity.

"We look forward to extending the services that Eight Bells offer across the whole of the district and to working with people and organisations across West Berkshire to develop resilience and enhance lives in our communities."