Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 1000+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
Your short-term or one-off volunteering opportunities could be just the fit for the new University of Reading staff volunteering scheme
3 December 2024
The University of Reading has launched a new staff volunteering scheme, which will encourage the University’s 4,500 staff to take up to two days of paid time off work, per year, to volunteer in the local community. Staff can volunteer on their own, or in groups with colleagues. If you have a role that may be ...
Launch of the Wellbeing Platform: Support Hub
28 November 2024
The Wellbeing Platform: Support Hub, an innovative pilot project by Together for Mental Wellbeing and partners, will launch on 6 December 2024 at Reading Station. The initiative aims to provide a safe, welcoming space for individuals facing mental health challenges, offering compassionate support, and connecting them to ongoing services in Reading and Berkshire. The Support Hub will ...
Safer Neighbourhood Forum Public Meeting
27 November 2024Opportunity for residents of Whitley and Church Wards to hear from and report directly to Reading Borough Council, Thames Valley Police, Councillors and other officials about crime and anti-social behaviour. A hot drink will be provided. Doors open 6.45pm, meeting starts 7pm and ends 8.30pm Free Parking is available on site however, visitors will need to register their ...
Reclaim the Night Reading
27 November 2024We would like to invite women members and beneficiaries of your organisation to the Reclaim the Night Reading march and rally on Friday 29 November at 5pm, starting at the Reading Town Hall. This year we are working in partnership with the University of Reading and their Students’ Union and encourage you to invite sisters from ...
Employment Law update: New legal duty for employers to prevent Sexual Harassment
27 November 2024
Introduction If your charity employs staff please read this guidance to familiarise yourself with the new legal duty placed on all employers, regardless of the size of your organisation or the nature of your work, to proactively take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. This article provides: A summary of the change in law What actions ...
‘Tis (almost) the season! Tell us about your festive volunteering opportunities now
25 November 2024
Yup, the big day is now only a month away and we are seeing our annual flurry of interest from people looking for festive volunteering opportunities. We have already been contacted by groups of colleagues looking for opportunities to do something in the build-up to the big day, as well as, individuals looking to do something ...
Cianna’s Smile awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024
14 November 2024
We’re honoured to share that Cianna’s Smile, has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024! This is the highest recognition a local voluntary group can receive in the UK, equivalent to an MBE. We would like to dedicate our award in memory of Siobhan Richards-Slater, a beautiful and bubbly child whose smile lit ...
RABBLE Up! Screen and Stage skills for the Whitley Community
14 November 2024At RABBLE Up, anyone in Whitley can join our weekly sessions where we learn new skills and create theatre and film projects all about Whitley! You don’t need any experience, you just need… you. Learn new skills Create theatre and film projects about you and your community Make new friends Stay active and healthy Have the opportunity to get involved ...
Reading Community Learning Centre AGM
14 November 2024Dear Friends of RCLC You are warmly invited to our 17th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday 3rd of December 2024 from 11:30am – 1pm at The Quakers Meeting House, 2 Church Street, Reading RG1 2SB The AGM is a great opportunity to hear about our activities and celebrate our achievements over the past 12 months. We’d ...
Men2Men International Day
14 November 2024Men2Men International Day – Time To Talk – Encouraging Men’s Health Champions To help shine a spotlight on both the problems of men’s health and the people delivering the solutions. Guest presenters include Health Professionals covering: Mental Health and Suicide Awareness Diabetes Sexual Health Cancer/Prostate Cancer Smoking Impact Physical Health Checks Liver Function People with lived experiences Download a flyer
Safeguarding Adults Week 2024 – Free online webinars 18 to 22 Nov 2024
14 November 2024
The West of Berkshire Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board, are supporting the Ann Craft Trust Safeguarding Adults Week. Each day of the week partners are hosting a wide variety of free webinars to cover the themes on: Working in Partnership open to all health and social care practitioners, and voluntary and community sector staff and volunteers within the ...
Managing Emotions Programme
14 November 2024Experiencing rapidly fluctuating and intense emotions can have a significant impact on a person’s wellbeing, relationships, and quality of life. Together UK – Reading has been commissioned by the NHS to run the Managing Emotions Programme (MEP) across Berkshire. The Managing Emotions Programme (MEP) offers easy access to psycho-educational courses, designed to equip people with a range ...
Grassroots community action honoured at Community Awards
13 November 2024
Grassroots Communities’ Awards: amplifying community voices RVA’s Inclusion Manager, Azra Raja, recently received a Community Education Award at the Grassroots Communities’ Awards – congratulations Azra! The Community Education Award recognises: Individuals dedicated to advancing educational opportunities within the community. Honourees demonstrate exceptional commitment to improving access to learning, fostering education equity, and empowering individuals through knowledge and skill-building. Azra ...
Brighter Futures for Children and One Reading Services Marketplace
12 November 2024Brighter Futures for Children and the ONE Reading Children and Young People’s Partnership invite practitioners working with children and families in Reading to our Services Marketplace event. Come along and network with local organisations, charities, community groups and BFfC services that support children, young people and families in Reading. No need to book, just turn up! ...
RBC Small Grants Fund – Deadline 13 December 2024
7 November 2024Introduction – overview of the funding Reading Borough Council has allocated £150k for small grants to the voluntary and community sector for the year 2024/25. The small grants fund is focussed on supporting the broader objectives of the RBC Tackling Inequality Strategy: to create further opportunity for local voluntary and community organisations to play an active ...
British Grant Energy Trust – The Individual and Families fund – Open for applications
7 November 2024Introduction – overview of the funding British Gas Energy Trust is an independent Charitable Trust solely funded by British Gas since 2004. Their mission is to alleviate the detrimental impact of poverty, with a focus on fuel poverty. Since its launch, the British Gas Energy Trust has provided consistent, financial help for vulnerable households and remains one ...
Welcome to Reading Coffee Morning in Reading Central Library
5 November 2024
Reading Central Library are hosting the final Welcome to Reading Coffee Morning of 2024. Come along to this friendly information hub and find out more about some organisations, events and activities in the Reading area. Free refreshments are provided. Drop In style session, no need to book and suitable for all Reading residents, new and old.
Kate Fox: Bigger on the Inside
5 November 2024Would you like to explore neurodiversity through the creative medium of poetry, infused with humour and a dash of Doctor Who? Well, this event is for you! Filled with autistic joy as well as deep thought, we hope that you will leave this event with a little spring in your step and feelings of validation ...
Citizens Advice Reading celebrates 85 years of serving its local communities
31 October 2024
In September 1939, Citizens Advice Reading (CAR) was established as one of the original 20 branches of the Citizens Advice Bureau, created to provide emergency assistance at the onset of the Second World War. Primarily staffed by volunteers, our early efforts were focused on offering guidance from public buildings and private homes, helping individuals navigate the ...
Life Changers Therapeutic Gardening
31 October 2024
Thrive, the gardening for health charity, runs Life Changers, a free, four-month gardening programme for those living with a life-changing illness or injury to enable them to improve their health and wellbeing. Whether recovering from a stroke, cancer or surgery, or living with a long-term condition like diabetes, multiple sclerosis or Long Covid, people experiencing a ...