Volunteer-Led Walking Tour
Join a (Free!) volunteer-led walking tour to throughout Reading to learn more about it’s Queer connections and residents throughout history! The Volunteer-Led tours will be advertised through the Support U Eventbrite, click the button below to check out what dates are available.
Saturday 8th May: first tour 12 – 2pm
Saturday 8th May: second tour 3 – 5pm.
The tour may run over slightly.
Tour Information
Join a ‘Walking Tour around Reading’s Queer Past’ to immerse yourself in the landscape of Reading Town and the connections it holds to queer heritage and past residents. Led by Amy, the Project Manager of the Broken Futures project, this tour will be about 2 hours long and will cover approximately 2.3 miles around the Town Centre.
Please bring suitable footwear and wear appropriate clothing that allows easy movement. More information is provided in the health and safety section.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of attendees on this tour is limited to 4 people to allow space for discussion and social distancing. Social Distancing must be observed at all times for the safety of tour attendees and Support U volunteers leading the tour.
Health and Safety Waiver
This event does require all participants to sign a health and safety and first aid waiver as Support U is unable to provide health and safety support for members during the tour. This health and safety waiver should be read before purchasing a ticket, and upon registration through Eventbrite for a ticket, the tour attendee will be asked to confirm they have read the below and agree to the terms and conditions.
Safety Guidelines and Instructions For Participation In Guided Walking Tours
We strongly encourage good decision-making and personal responsibility while on tour, as well as the importance of following all safety advice and instructions they receive. If a child (anyone under the age of 18) goes on a tour they must be accompanied by a parent, who is responsible for the safety of the child. Parents should talk to their child about conducting themselves responsibly. While your group’s Tour Guide will strive to provide an enjoyable and safe tour experience, everyone in the group must cooperate and demonstrate good common sense while traveling.
Be on time (at least 15 minutes before your tour begins) For group travel to go smoothly, each member of the group must be punctual and demonstrate respect to the Tour Guide and all travellers in the group. We don’t want you to be rushed or be in a hurry.
Stay close with the tour guide and group It is important to stay close to the tour. Not only will you be receiving information about the tour but it is much safer to be with the group. You could take a wrong tour or get lost and this could put you in an uncomfortable position and take away from the enjoyment of the other tour participants.
Phones should be turned to silent or vibrate Your head should be up so you don’t trip, fall, or find yourself in dangerous situations. Limiting the distractions aide in safer conditions for tours. Besides, the ringing of cell phones or conversations will take away from the enjoyment of the tour. Just like you shouldn’t drive and text, you shouldn’t walk and text as well. There will plenty of opportunities to take photos or cell phone videos, just not when you are walking.
Walking safety tips When walking you should be aware of your surroundings. There may be different terrains you may encounter including but not limited to: stairs, sidewalks, cobblestone, pavers, uneven grades, paths, grades, doorways, curbs and grass. Wear comfortable shoes. Stay with the group. If and when you cross the street, please cross safely. Even if you are obeying traffic signs and signals, remember that motorists and cyclists might not notice you. Always stay aware of your surroundings whenever you cross any street. Be aware of bikes, mopeds, scooters, motorcycles and cars. Just because you see them doesn’t mean they see you.
Don’t bring more than you have to Walking tours are supposed to be fun. Don’t load yourself down with too many bags or other items that could be cumbersome for you on the tour. You may want to get some souvenirs or purchase something and we want to make sure you can carry them. ID, some cash for any food or drink, a credit/debit card for purchases, proper attire for the weather.
Alcohol consumption If you decide to have alcohol or you consumed alcohol before you arrive at a tour be sure to use common sense and reasonable judgement. No alcohol should be consumed on the tour.
Personal Safety If you have valuables with you please keep track of them. If you brought a camera, cell phone, pad, car keys any other valuable items with you down make sure you don’t leave them anywhere. If you are not feeling well for any reason please let your tour guide know. If you believe you are having a medical emergency call 999 immediately, if the matter is urgent, but not an emergency, please call 111.
Have fun! Be safe and aware of your surroundings, and let’s take a stroll around Reading’s Queer Past, meet new people and learn new things!
Terms and Conditions
Walking Tour of Reading’s Queer Past Waiver And Release Of Liability
I, the purchaser or participant, agree to this release of all claims, waiver of liability and assumption of risk (“Waiver and Release”). I waive any and all claims I may have now and in the future, and release from all liability and agree not to sue Support U, its officers, agents, representatives, employees or tour guides [hereafter referred to as “Staff”] for any personal injury, death, property damage, or loss sustained by me as a result of my participation in guided walking tours provided by Support U due to any cause whatsoever, including without limitation, negligence on the part of Support U, its Staff, tour partners, or other participants, or death or injury as a result of war, civil unrest or epidemic. I further agree that if I violate this agreement and attempt to bring suit against any part of parties named herein, that I will be held responsible for the charity’s legal fees and any costs incurred by that person in defending such action.
I am aware that the tour, in addition to the usual dangers and risks inherent, has certain additional dangers and risks, some of which include: physical exertion for which I may not be prepared and weather extremes subject to sudden and unexpected change. I accept all the inherent risks of the proposed walking tour and the possibility of personal injury, death or property damage or loss resulting there from. I acknowledge that the enjoyment and excitement of the proposed form of tour is derived in part from the inherent risks incurred by travel and activity beyond the accepted safety of life at home or work, and these inherent risks contribute to such enjoyment and excitement, being a reason for my participation.
I understand that photographs taken on this tour may only be used for non-commercial or personal purposes.
Further, I agree at all times during the tour, to abide by and comply with any additional instructions given by my tour guide or any other Staff and I accept that non-compliance may result in injury, death or permanent disability. I understand that non-compliance may result in my removal from the walking tour.
In entering this Waiver and Release, I am not relying on any oral, written nor visual representations or statements by Support U or its Staff or any other inducement or coercion to go on the tour. I confirm that, by my own free will, I have read and understood the Terms and Conditions of this walking tour and Waiver and Release prior to signing it and agree that this Waiver and Release will be binding upon my heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators and successors.
I agree to grant the sponsors of this tour to a worldwide, royalty-free license to use my photographic, video, or digital likeness solely for promotional, educational, and/or commercial purposes.
As a participant on the tour, I accept full responsibility for my behavior, well being, and health throughout the tour, which may involve a variety of activities, unfamiliar locations, and modes of travel, including but not limited to: climbing stairs and stepping up or down cubs I further realize that the tour may involve walking through unfamiliar, narrow and/or steep corridors, gangways, roads, stairways and driveways.
COVID-19 Procedures
With the COVID-19 pandemic ongoing, the walking tour is restricted to four persons to allow for social distancing.
- Maintain a minimum of 2m distance
- Sneeze or cough into a cloth or tissue
- Use hand sanitizer
- We do not shake hands or engage in any unnecessary physical contact.
- By signing this waiver, customer is confirming they do not have Covid 19 and are in general good health
Please confirm that on this date you do not have any symptoms of COVID-19, included below:
- a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
Should my health change, or I start to show symptoms of COVID-19, I confirm that I will contact Support U to cancel my place on the tour as soon as possible, or within 24 hours of the date of the commencement for the walking tour.
By purchasing the ticket(s) through Eventbrite (link at the top of the page) and or going on the tour, I affirm that I have fully understood and agree to these Terms and Conditions, Waiver and Release of Liability.
The tour attendee will be asked to confirm they accept the terms and conditions when purchasing their ticket on Eventbrite (link at top of page)