Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 900+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
New computer support sessions for Reading residents
16 August 2018
The Get Online Reading project to help the town’s people use the internet has been steadily expanding and is now available at two new venues. Residents of Dee Park now have the chance to go to a monthly drop-in session to help them with technology, and the Get Online project has also started working with Reading ...
Compass Recovery College – Autumn Prospectus Launch
15 August 2018On Wednesday 15 August, Caversham Court Gardens saw the launch of the new Compass Recovery College prospectus for 2018 to 2019. Among those attending was the Mayor of Reading, Councillor Debs Edwards, who said she was ‘delighted’ to see the service that Compass Recovery College offers, and emphasised that mental health is an issue that affects ...
Reading Town Meal 2018 – pledge your veg!
8 August 2018
This year’s Reading Town Meal needs everyone to be involved! You can help by donating your veg which will be cooked up into a delicious meal by the students of Reading College, and served FREE in Forbury Gardens on 29 September 2018. Whether you have your own allotment or grow in your garden, or have never grown ...
Work and Health Challenge Fund
7 August 2018The Work and Health Unit (WHU) – which is jointly managed by the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department of Health and Social Care – is using a £4.2m Challenge Fund to test new approaches that can help people experiencing mental health and/or musculoskeletal (MSK) issues stay in work. The WHU is seeking to ...
The Lives We Want to Lead – green paper for adult social care and wellbeing
7 August 2018The Local Government association has launched a consultation on the future of adult social care. The green paper aims to: to build momentum for a debate across the country about how to fund the care we want to see in all our communities for adults of all ages and how our wider care and health system ...
Creating the Right Environments for Health
7 August 2018In Creating the Right Environments for Health the Director of Public Health for Berkshire focused on the natural environment as one of the factors that can affect our health and wellbeing. The report uses a number of local case studies to highlight the ways in which local communities are already using the natural environment to stay ...
Start your own business workshops
6 August 2018
The Real Business Club are running their popular, free workshops again this autumn. They are interactive, friendly and practical and cover everything you need to think about about if you want to start your own business. They offer clear explanations, delivered by business professionals, with plenty of time for questions and answers. Workshop programme Wednesday 5 September: ...
Reading, Place of Culture – Funding Panel Event
2 August 2018
Reading, Place of Culture aims to enhance Reading’s cultural offer, help drive economic growth and improve the quality of life for people in Reading. As part of this, there will be a funding panel event for arts, culture and heritage funding, with a particular focus on communities and social outcomes. This will be on Tuesday 11 September ...
Reading’s second Disability Awareness Day is nearly here!
1 August 2018
The Physical Disability and Sensory Needs Partnership Network (PDSN) is hosting Reading’s second Disability Awareness Day on Wednesday 8 August 2018. The event will celebrate the diversity of Reading residents and visitors who may have a physical disability, sensory need or neurological condition. The free event will take place from 11am to 2pm at the Weller Centre, ...
Can you help with our research into youth isolation and loneliness?
1 August 2018Catherine, our RVA summer intern for 2018, is looking for organisations that work with 11-25 year olds to be part of her research into the causes and impacts of youth isolation and loneliness in Reading. Following on from RVA’s report into loneliness in Reading last year, Catherine is looking for young people, and those who work ...
2018/19 Volunteer Coordinators’ Network meetings confirmed
1 August 2018The dates for the 2018/19 Volunteer Coordinators’ Network (VCN) meetings have now been confirmed. The VCN brings together those involved in the recruitment and management of volunteers across the town, working for a wide range of organisations. The meetings are an opportunity to come together to share best practice, discuss common challenges and identify solutions. The VCN also plays ...
BFI Film Academy Courses
27 July 2018Do you know of any young people aged 16-19 that are interested in film, art, acting, photography, music, business, sound tech, writing etc? If so, the BFI Film Academy course for 16-19 year olds is taking place at Pinewood and Shepperton Studios in October 2018 and January-February 2019. What is the BFI Film Academy? The BFI Film Academy ...
Elizabeth Fry Charity awarded Safe and Sound
25 July 2018Elizabeth Fry Charity were recently awarded RVA’s Safe and Sound Governance Mark. We spoke to Tony Rolley about the charity’s work, his role as the Chair of Trustees, and the process of applying for Safe and Sound. Tell us a little about Elizabeth Fry Charity and what inspired you to get involved as a Trustee The Elizabeth ...
How should money collected from new development be spent in local areas?
25 July 2018Reading Borough Council is consulting on how some of the money that is collected from new development should be spent within local areas. Money for infrastructure is collected from new developments through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). This is a charge based on the floorspace of new developments. The law states that 15% of the money collected must be spent on infrastructure in the ...
Research report – the needs of ethnic minority women in Reading
25 July 2018The University of Reading and Reading Community Learning Centre (RCLC) has completed joint research into the needs of ethnic minority women living in Reading. The project was funded by Comic Relief. The findings and final report were presented by the researchers at a packed meeting of statutory and voluntary organisations held at RCLC on 19 July, ...
Funding: People’s Postcode Lottery opens for applications on 1 August
24 July 2018The People’s Postcode Lottery will open for application on 1 August. Charities and community groups will be able to apply for funding between £500 – £20,000. Funding will be available through the following 3 Trusts: The People’s Postcode Trust For projects promoting human rights and employability, and combatting poverty. The Postcode Community Trust For grass-roots health and wellbeing programmes. The ...
Looking for brand inspiration? Our students’ expertise could be just what you need
24 July 2018Reading University will be holding a structured four week ‘design-thinking’ brand ‘jam’ with Part 3 typography & design students in autumn 2018, working exclusively with not-for-profits. Students take on briefs and develop a visual identity and any other marketing collateral they feel is appropriate over four weeks and it’s completely free. Organisations are under no obligation for ...
Reading Partnership Early Intervention Workshop
23 July 2018“Together, being bold, for Reading” 10 September 2018, 10am – 1pm, Reading Town Hall, Blagrave Street, RG1 1QH A workshop has been organised for the early help community in Reading, on behalf of the partners who contributed to the Reading Early Intervention and Prevention Partnership Strategy. The aim of the workshop is to establish partnership governance and delivery arrangements to ...
Berkshire Youth and RBC Summer Activities
20 July 2018Exciting free workshops in August from Berkshire Youth and Reading Borough Council. To book these sessions, call Ebony on 07841721457 or email ebony.george@reading.gov.uk. Music Technology – Create your own track Get tips and tricks from a music producer on how to use editing software to create your own music tracks (laptops provided). Ages 12-18 welcome. Booking required. Monday 6 ...
Community Youth Day
20 July 2018Berkshire Youth are holding a Community Youth Day on Tuesday 7 August From sport and youth club games and challenges, to film making and dance, there’s something to capture everyone’s interest – and it’s all free! Fun and Games 1-3pm, all ages Research and Video Production 1-4 pm, ages 12-18 Booking required. Call Charlotte on 07825699050 or email charlotte@berkshireyouth.co.uk Basketball with the ...