A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS
Your response to the news back in February that CIRDIC was in dire financial straits
has been absolutely fantastic. From having less that three months operating reserves CIRDIC is now secure for at least the next year. So on behalf of the guests volunteers and staff, THANK YOU for enabling us to carry on helping each other to live better happier and more fulfilled lives.
Visit of HRH Prince Richard Duke of Gloucester on
13th November 2023
Such a special day for the center and our guests with a visit from the Royal Family!
As lunchtime approached there was a buzz in the air among the guests outside while they awaited the arrival of Prince Richard and the Lord Lieutenant’s party. Two cars pulled up and out stepped Prince Richard to be warmly greeted by Mabel Boyd the center Manager and several of the trustees.
The Prince started out by speaking with several guests, then moved on to be introduced to the kitchen staff.
Next was a climb upstairs to see the ‘behind the scenes’ work of the volunteers in the clothing store , then moved across to review where we store all our food.
The Prince was interested to hear that many churches, schools and individual’s donated foods .
* Massive Thanks to Marina and the team at the Lord Lieutenant’s office.
As lunchtime approached there was a buzz in the air among the guests outside while they awaited the arrival of Prince Richard and the Lord Lieutenant’s party. Two cars pulled up and out stepped Prince Richard to be warmly greeted by Mabel Boyd the center Manager and several of the trustees.
The Prince started out by speaking with several guests, then moved on to be introduced to the kitchen staff.
Next was a climb upstairs to see the ‘behind the scenes’ work of the volunteers in the clothing store , then moved across to review where we store all our food.
The Prince was interested to hear that many churches, schools and individual’s donated foods .
* Massive Thanks to Marina and the team at the Lord Lieutenant’s office.
Ladies who Do Lunch and Make Overs!
We thought the ladies at CIRWIC might enjoy a makeover and a photo shoot.
We arrived, set up, Mabel was the make over queen and the photo shoot was managed by Alexander Douglas.
The morning felt like a real success as we saw face after face light up and return mirror visits by our freshly made over guests!
Massive thanks to the talented photographer Alexander Douglas
Special thanks to Anjii Darius for letting us join you for the morning!
We arrived, set up, Mabel was the make over queen and the photo shoot was managed by Alexander Douglas.
The morning felt like a real success as we saw face after face light up and return mirror visits by our freshly made over guests!
Massive thanks to the talented photographer Alexander Douglas
Special thanks to Anjii Darius for letting us join you for the morning!
Special Lunch and Presents for our Guests
December 2023
“Massive thanks to everyone who helped serve 70 Christmas dinners, puddings & presents to our guests this week.
Special thanks to the companies from reading that got involved.
Tim Judd, Anna Macken, Alyssa Gaffney From www.fsp.co
Rebekah Maria from Elite Spa Massage
Our Christmas Tree was provided by the Piggot School,
Massive thanks to St. Michael's Church in Sonning Common & Hilton Manor hotel for over 100 presents for our guests!
Special thanks to the companies from reading that got involved.
Tim Judd, Anna Macken, Alyssa Gaffney From www.fsp.co
Rebekah Maria from Elite Spa Massage
Our Christmas Tree was provided by the Piggot School,
Massive thanks to St. Michael's Church in Sonning Common & Hilton Manor hotel for over 100 presents for our guests!
How CIRDIC stayed open through lockdown ?
We visited Reading’s main homeless centre CIRDIC as they have now re-opened there doors to their guests.
We chat to centre manager Mabel Boyd on how they operated through lockdown.
They kindly gave us a behind the scene’s tour of the centre and we got to speak with their guests and volunteers who ranged
from Reading University students to operating theatre staff, from their first day to 18 years at the centre.
We chat to centre manager Mabel Boyd on how they operated through lockdown.
They kindly gave us a behind the scene’s tour of the centre and we got to speak with their guests and volunteers who ranged
from Reading University students to operating theatre staff, from their first day to 18 years at the centre.
Pamper Day 4.0
It’s our chance to say THANK YOU to all the fantastic people that have supported CIRDIC over the last 12 challening Months!
As you can imagine it wasn’t our normal style pamper day and all organising needed to be re-thought, but we smashed it and everyone had an amazing morning.
These projects only work with the awesome support of our local business and a very caring local community.
we would like to personally thank:
Antony & Jay Worral Thompson - AWT restaurant for 60 Portions Curry & Rice!!
Danny Fraifeld & Greg from the Purple Turtle – 60+ Soft drinks
Mike Penson - Premier Supplies - 100’s of Moistures & Wipes.
Adam Frazer – We Personalise 4 u - 60 Bags
Alexander Douglas – Pro Photographer- Stunning work!!!!
Giles Hankinson – Utility Aid – Long term sponsor of CIRDIC's pamper days.
As you can imagine it wasn’t our normal style pamper day and all organising needed to be re-thought, but we smashed it and everyone had an amazing morning.
These projects only work with the awesome support of our local business and a very caring local community.
we would like to personally thank:
Antony & Jay Worral Thompson - AWT restaurant for 60 Portions Curry & Rice!!
Danny Fraifeld & Greg from the Purple Turtle – 60+ Soft drinks
Mike Penson - Premier Supplies - 100’s of Moistures & Wipes.
Adam Frazer – We Personalise 4 u - 60 Bags
Alexander Douglas – Pro Photographer- Stunning work!!!!
Giles Hankinson – Utility Aid – Long term sponsor of CIRDIC's pamper days.
Pancake day provided by the Roseate Hotel
14th February 2024
The Ladies from the Roseate Hotel who served the delicious pancakes
alongside Mabel our Centre Manager
alongside Mabel our Centre Manager
Sleep Out in Reading Town Centre 2020
A massive thank you to every person that slept out rough in Reading town centre on Saturday night.
From teens to an 84 old many slept out from 10pm to 5am in 3c with cardboard for a bed and a sleeping bag
They choose to be sponsored to raise money for CIRDIC.
Here is a video of the night which gave us all a small insight into how painful and stressful sleeping outside on the streets must be.
From teens to an 84 old many slept out from 10pm to 5am in 3c with cardboard for a bed and a sleeping bag
They choose to be sponsored to raise money for CIRDIC.
Here is a video of the night which gave us all a small insight into how painful and stressful sleeping outside on the streets must be.
Pamper Day with More Lord London
We partnered with More Lord London for our Pamper day raising funds for CIRDIC.
It was a very touching day with lots of smiles, lovely lunch, dirty feet cleaned, beards trimmed, hair cut and some new clothes.
It was a very touching day with lots of smiles, lovely lunch, dirty feet cleaned, beards trimmed, hair cut and some new clothes.
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Art Shown at Reading Library
Our guests complied a stunning collection of art that was proudly presented at the Reading Library through the month of December.
Here are some pieces and a personal video of their art from the library.
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(introducing)
Dr. John Davies - Chair of Trustees
John is the chair on the Board of trustees. A committed Christian who serves the poor and disadvantaged in Reading. John is also a leader in his local church and is a Street Pastor in Reading. |
Mabel Boyd - Centre Manger
Not all Heroes wear capes. Honoured by the Queen for her work at CIRDIC. An upbeat Christian who has given the last 15 years of her life in growing and sustaining the drop in centre. |
CIRDIC Volunteers
With over 70 volunteers donating their time each week to serve others. These guys are amazing and the engine of every day life in the drop-in centre. We honour their giving to others. |
The CIRDIC team