Alana House Gallery
Some of the amazing baked goods cooked by some of Alana House’s service users! The baking group made lemon and blueberry cupcakes, red velvet and white chocolate cookies, spinach and cheese pinwheel and cheese scones.
“I personally think I have grown and matured so much since the support from Alana House began.”
– Alana House service user
Every week, Alana House receives food from Fareshare at a discounted price for our women to take anything they need or want. Fareshare is a food distribution charity. They believe that no good food should go to waste and instead redistribute surplus food to charities.
Our Alana House gardening group, that we run with The Museum of English Rural Life in Reading, gives women a chance to meet others, socialise and learn how to grow their own plants. At PACT’s 2024 Garden Party, some of the plants on sale included those grown by our service users!
Alana House has been named winner of The Robin Corbett Award for their important work supporting women who have committed offences but need support to make positive life changes.
The Alana house volunteers were awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. The Queen’s Award is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
“I have found my support worker to be very knowledgeable at Alana House… I am thankful to have her to support at this very hard time.”
– Sophie, Alana House service user
We were delighted to have a visit from the High Sheriff of Berkshire, Alka Kharbanda, who met with our chief executive Natausha van Vliet and Head of Communities Kathryn Warner.
The women hold a fundraiser at the community cafe to raise funds for those affected by the conflict in Ukraine
People hang their messages of support for women on our tree of hope at our International Women’s Day service
Women from Alana House bravely share their stories and light a candle during the service
“Alana House is important to me because it’s a safe haven to express how I’m feeling, talk about my concerns, and reflect on the past weeks, in a confidential environment. Alana House support workers show so much empathy and compassion.”
– Freya, Alana House service user
People from the community come together to support Alana House at our International Women’s Day service
Alana House holds their annual International Women’s Day service at Reading Minster in March 2022
Women make Christmas wreaths at a craft session in December 2021
In partnership with Anonymous Coffee, Alana House launches their own brand of coffee with proceeds split between supporting Alana House and helping girls in Ethiopia
“I want to thank Alana House and especially my support worker for all of their support. When I was released from prison, it was very scary and isolating. Being referred to Alana House gave me a safety net. It made me feel that I had someone to rely on and know that help was there when I needed it. If I had not had the support from Alana House, I would not have survived. I would have been sent back to prison.”
– Jessica, Alana House service user
Anonymous Coffee supports the women to improve their barista skills at the café
The community café is able to reopen in 2021 after the pandemic to continue serving hot drinks and freshly baked cakes
Alana House’s famous Malteser Millionaire’s shortbread, which is featured in the recipe book, goes down a treat at the café
Alana House creates its own recipe book: ‘Love Trust Hope – cooking to build and strengthen a community’
“If you’d asked me where I would have been two years ago, I’d probably have hit the deck by now. But I haven’t, I’ve turned my life around and actually made something of myself. And I would recommend anyone to come here with anything they want help with. It’s changed my life for me.”
– Maxine, Alana House service user
During the 2020 pandemic, women create an online photography exhibition in partnership with the Museum of English Rural Life called ‘Unlocking our Lockdown Stories’
Collages made by the women at a drop-in session
On International Women’s Day in 2020, Alana House hosts a service celebrating its 10th birthday – attendees are invited to hang their hopes for the future on our tree
“Coming to Alana House has made me feel safer, and that I am not alone. If there’s something I need help with I know I can have someone to talk to or to support me. I have recently put up my own Christmas tree in my own home for the first time even, and I feel like it’s a dream come true. I know I am on a positive path now because of the support I have, which I have never had before.”
– Jenny, Alana House service user
MP Matt Rodda and Cllr Rachel Eden visit the café to learn about our work
Naomi from Nibsy’s Coffee Shop in Reading visits the café and shows the baristas a few new tricks
Lucy Zeal, High Sheriff of Berkshire, visits the café
“With anxiety, the more support you have the better. No one should be alone, at Alana House there are people there. Helpful smiley people. Alana House is somewhere I can come at my saddest and at my happiest.”
– Ruth, Alana House service user
The Myers-Briggs Company, PACT’s corporate partner in 2019, hosts the PhotoVoice exhibition at their offices in Oxford
HHJ Angela Morris supports us at the Reading Crown Court open day
The Museum of English Rural Life hosts the PhotoVoice exhibition in 2019 to share the women’s stories with the community
“When I walk into my Keywork I feel like I only have 1% positivity and 99% of feeling everything is against me and being unhappy. After my Keywork when I get a chance to see things from the outside in and I get to talk to you about how I’m feeling- not how others feel about me I feel like there is at least 20% that’s positive about my life and it really helps.”
– Danielle, Alana House service user
A typical morning at the café with cakes and coffees served by women who have been trained as baristas
Women from Alana House attend an employability workshop hosted by Hammerson at The Oracle
A launch party is held to celebrate the opening of the café
Our newly-trained baristas receive their certificates in Level 1 Food and Hygiene and are ready to start using their skills in the café
“I have hope again now, which I didn’t have before.”
– Alice, Alana House service user
Our new Alana House community café launches in 2019
The hard work and dedication of our wonderful volunteers is rewarded at the 2019 Reading Volunteer Awards
The Mayor of Reading, Cllr Debs Edwards, visits Alana House
“To be honest, the way I was, if I hadn’t found Alana House I think something very bad would have happened. Everything was going wrong and I couldn’t see a way out, but I was determined and I got the help I needed to rebuild. Through doing that it has actually made me realise how strong I am and I am determined to do great things.”
– Leona, Alana House service user
Magnets with positive messages made by the women at a drop-in session
The PhotoVoice exhibition is created by the women in 2018 to reflect on their perspectives on identity and community
The Love Me, Love Life project encourages women to improve their physical health
“I couldn’t recommend Alana House enough… It has helped me accept that life is full of ups and downs but it’s the way you respond to them that makes the difference. I will continue to recommend Alana House to my friends that are having a difficult time because I honestly don’t know where I would be if I hadn’t linked in with you.”
– Katie, Alana House service user
Alana House wins its second Howard League for Penal Reform Award in 2017, this time for their Enrich programme which was set up last October
Award-winning fashion designer Patrick Grant visits Alana House in 2017 to meet women who have been learning to sew
Alana House wins a Thames Valley Police Reading Partnership Award in 2017
“(Alana House) is a really good use of resources… and it’s amazing to see the women’s self-respect grow and grow. If I was that person coming here to seek help, I would think that someone thinks I’m worth doing this for.”
– Her Honour Judge Zoe Smith, Reading Crown Court
Our community celebrates Christmas in style!
Christmas at Alana House includes a wreath-making class
A team of volunteers help to paint the new crèche to make it easier for women to access support
The women create a photography exhibition called ‘Photovisible’
“Since my seven months of support, Alana House has boosted my confidence and supported me through many activities that have been provided. I do not know what I would do without them. Thank you so much for your support.”
– Lorraine, Alana House service user
Alana House celebrates its fifth birthday in 2015
Alana House wins the Howard League for Penal Reform Award in the Community Programme for Women category, presented by HRH Princess Anne
Alana House launches a programme in West Berkshire in 2014 to reach and support more women
In weekly drop-in sessions, the women look at themes such as identity, wellbeing and self-esteem
“Whenever I have a problem, I know I can come to Alana House and they can help me and let me know what to do. They are like family and I am proud to be a service user. When I am with Alana House, I feel free.”
– Amira, Alana House service user
Guests gather to cut our birthday cake
The drop-in room is decorated for our fourth birthday party
Alana House celebrates its fourth birthday in 2014
“Without Alana House I would have found it hard to build on my confidence and make my circumstances better. Alana House has given me the tools to live independently and to better manage my finances.”
– Malisa, Alana House service user
At drop-in sessions, the women create a ‘Tree of Hope’
The Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, Anthony Stansfeld, visits Alana House in 2013
There are lots of groups and classes at Alana House for women to learn new skills
“I feel safe knowing that Alana House is always on the other end of the phone… You have helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
– Beverley, Alana House service user
The noticeboard at Alana House has quotes from the women about why they like coming to Alana House
Alana House celebrates its first birthday in 2011
Alana House is founded in 2010 in central Reading
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