Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 900+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
3d printing workshops at Battle Library on 7 April 2018
5 April 2018See 3d printing in action and print your own key ring 3d printing workshops, where you can print your own key ring, are taking place at Battle Library, this Saturday, 7 April 2018. There will be workshops at: 10 am 10:40 am 11:20 am 1 pm 1:40 pm 2:20 pm Each workshop lasts 40 minutes, during which you can: Create a design for a personalised ...
Speak up and be heard: Reading Physical Disability and Sensory Needs Partnership Network
4 April 2018If you have a physical, neurological or sensory impairment, join the Reading Physical Disability and Sensory Needs (PDSN) Partnership Network to have a say in how support and other services are delivered locally. The network aims to improve quality of life and promote independence by helping to develop and improve the support and services for people ...
Free Deaf Awareness Course
4 April 2018Deaf Awareness Week is an opportunity to celebrate deaf culture and raise awareness that over 11 million people in the UK (1 in 6) are deaf or have a hearing loss. Reading Deaf Centre are marking the importance of this celebration by holding a free Deaf Awareness Course on 15 May 2018, between 10 am and ...
Victims First Connect – local links to support victims of crime
3 April 2018
Victims First Connect aims to create a localised link between those requiring support after being impacted by a crime and Victims First itself. It will allow someone to access a point in their community to find out more about the services available to victims of crime, receive crime prevention/ safety advice, report a hate crime ...
Does your organisation benefit from student volunteers? Please share your experience with us
2 April 2018We are looking for local organisations to share their positive experiences of utilising the time, talent and enthusiasm of student volunteers. As well as looking to source nominations for the ‘Student Volunteer of the Year’ award that forms part of Reading Voluntary Action’s annual Reading Volunteer Awards, we are looking to share the good news stories of students ...
Resilient Communities Fund – open until 15 May 2018
28 March 2018The Resilient Communities Fund from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks is now open for the Central Southern England region. Constituted community groups, not-for-profit organisations and registered charities have until 15 May to submit an application for grants of up to £20,000. The fund supports projects which: Protect the welfare of vulnerable community members through enhancing their resilience ...
Free Level 2 Certificate in Awareness of Mental Health Problems
28 March 2018Would you like to gain a free* qualification in Mental Health Awareness? Do you work or volunteer in the local voluntary sector or just have an interest in finding out more about the issue? The Skills Network are offering a free comprehensive distance learning course on Mental Health Awareness. The qualification is suitable for anyone who wishes ...
Your business can be part of the Reading Volunteer Awards 2018
28 March 2018Reading Voluntary Action are extending the opportunity for local businesses to be part of this year’s Reading Volunteer Awards. This exciting annual event is a celebration of the fantastic contribution volunteers make to life in Reading. Bringing together volunteers from a wide range of local organisations the night is an opportunity to say thank you to ...
Reading Voluntary Action team on the road
28 March 2018The Reading Voluntary Action team were out on the road visiting Grant Thornton last week. At their request, Steve Hendry and Herjeet Randhawa spoke to around 140 members of the Grant Thornton team based at Winnersh Triangle about how volunteering can open doors to personal and professional development. Steve gave a whistle stop tour of the ...
Vacant office at Central Library – Bidding opportunity
27 March 2018A vacant office at Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading, RG1 3BQ, is available to rent on a short lease in accordance with the letting particulars set out below. In accordance with the Third Sector Premises Policy Statement agreed on the 16 February 2016, voluntary sector organisations have a period of 8 weeks to submit a bid. ...
Funding Update – Big Lottery relaunch Reaching Communities on 3 April
27 March 2018
For those who have been eagerly awaiting the new round of Reaching Communities funding to commence under the new system, the Big Lottery have confirmed that this will be launched on 3 April.
Charity Commission Alert – fraudsters posing as chief executives
27 March 2018
The Charity Commission published an alert yesterday about the increase in fraudsters impersonating Chief Executives of charities in order to gain approval for the release of funds. Read on to ensure you can easily protect your charity’s resources.
Social Prescribing – the story so far
27 March 2018Reading Voluntary Action started to deliver a pilot social prescribing service in April 2014, funded by the Clinical Commissioning Groups Partnership Development Fund. The service aimed to link patients with voluntary and community support to help address some of their non-medical needs. GPs would refer people for many reasons including loneliness and isolation, needing some support ...
Reading Internship Scheme for employers – apply by Friday 23 March 2018
20 March 2018The Reading Internship Scheme facilitates internships with SMEs and charities, for students and graduates of the University of Reading. It is run by the University’s careers team and is part of a wider offering for SMEs. If you’re considering taking on an intern this summer, then you have until Friday 23 March 2018 to submit ...
Equality and Human Rights Framework – new dates announced in May and June
20 March 2018The workshops in Reading will now take place on 2 May and 11 June 2018 – you have until 27 April to register Want help using equality and human rights to achieve your organisation’s core purpose? The Equality and Diversity Forum (EDF) is an influential national network of non-governmental organisations working on age, disability, gender and gender identity, race, religion ...
LGBT+ experiences of health and social care – survey
20 March 2018Healthwatch Reading and Support U would like to know about your experiences as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people living in Reading and accessing local health and social care services. The results of the anonymous survey will be compiled into a report which will go to local NHS organisations and Reading Borough Council. You have until ...
Palmer Park Lodge – Bidding Opportunity
20 March 2018Reading Borough Council invites bids for the lease of Palmer Park Lodge, Palmer Park, Wokingham Road, Reading, RG6 1LF, in accordance with the council’s Third Sector Premises Policy Statement. Local organisations, voluntary or other, have until 4pm on Thursday 10 May 2018 to submit a bid for the property. Bids are for the leasehold of the ...
The NHS turns 70 – celebrate the contribution of volunteers
19 March 2018
NHS England and NHS Improvement are working on plans to celebrate the NHS’s 70th birthday in July. The celebrations will include a programme of national, regional and local events across the whole health and social care system, including the voluntary sector. The term “NHS family” has been suggested to cover voluntary and community organisations which contribute ...
Health and Wellbeing Board – update
19 March 2018At Reading Health and Wellbeing Board on Friday, Reading Voluntary Action presented a report on the impact of funding reductions on the voluntary sector’s capacity to contribute to the Board’s strategic objectives. The report summarised the findings of a recent survey conducted by RVA to understand the possible impact of a reduction in the number of grants awarded ...
Beyond Oxfam – a safeguarding update
14 March 2018Following the Oxfam safeguarding incident, there has been much in the news about how charities must ensure that their service users are kept safe from harm. Of course it is very sad to see that years of charitable work to benefit vulnerable people is outshone by one incident, leading to serious damage to the charity’s ...