Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 900+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
Supporting people to employ a Personal Assistant for their care
31 August 2016When people choose a direct payment for their care and support, they often employ a Personal Assistant (PA) to provide their care and support. We are interested in talking to organisations about the support needed by people to employ a PA. We will talk about the different types of support people require when they employ a ...
Partnership Development Fund opens 1 September
31 August 2016
On 1 September, the Berkshire West Clinical Commissioning Groups will be launching their Partnership Development Fund for 2017/18 for the voluntary and community sector. Watch out for full details on the Reading Voluntary Action website tomorrow!
Want to hear about your local NHS? – North and West Reading CCG Annual Meeting
26 August 2016North and West Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is holding it’s next Governing Body meeting in public on Tuesday 20th September and you are welcome to attend. Following the Governing Body meeting the CCG will hold their Annual Meeting. Timings below Governing Body 12.45 – 15.00 Annual Meeting 15.15 – 16.45 Further details ( the board papers will be published ...
Want to hear about your local NHS? – South Reading CCG
26 August 2016South Reading Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is holding it’s next Governing Body meeting in public on Wednesday 7th September and you are welcome to attend. Following the Governing Body meeting the CCG will hold their Annual Meeting. Timings below 09:30 – 11:45: Governing Body Meeting in public 12:00 – 13:30: Annual Meeting Further details ( the board papers will ...
Bags of Help now permanently open for applications
25 August 2016The Tesco Bags of Help grant scheme is now permanently open for applications from community groups! Tesco customers will now have more of a say on where their money goes. Bags of Help will now see the money raised by the 5p bag charge in Tesco stores in England, Wales and Scotland opened up to a ...
Ready Friends: round-up of news and opportunities
24 August 2016Report into loneliness and social isolation Throughout March and April, 437 people filled out a questionnaire so we could understand more about loneliness and social isolation in Reading. The report will help to inform local organisations how they can respond to these issues. The survey has highlighted who is most likely to be experiencing loneliness and social isolation, ...
Games Aid 2016 – Vote for Parenting Special Children
24 August 2016Parenting Special Children has been chosen again as one of the official charities for Games Aid 2016 – the charity of the UK computer games industry. Each year, members of the industry have the opportunity to vote for a charity, and the winner will receive £30,000! If you know anyone who works in the computer games ...
Re-launch of Reading Your Way
23 August 2016
Reading Your Way has moved to a new home at 1A Rupert Square. At their re-launch party on Friday, Deputy Mayor Councillor Rose Williams commented: “We know that around 1 in 4 people will experience problems with their mental health in their lifetime. Personally, I think the number could even be higher than this and that ...
Celebrating participation in healthcare – community grants available
23 August 2016NHS England’s celebrating participation in healthcare community grants scheme is open for applications. Grants of up to £1000 are available to voluntary and community organisations that want to showcase how they have been involving patients, service-users and the public in improving health services. To apply you must be a voluntary or community organisation and be able ...
Achieve your dream project with a new funding programme
23 August 2016This month’s Funding Digest from Reading Borough Council highlights a new grant programme for charities, to help you achieve the project you have always dreamed of, and a small grants fund to help support people in need in your local community. Dream Fund 2017 Launches Charities can apply for funding from the Postcode Dream Trust to deliver ...
Reading and its Rivers – exhibition, 8-11 September 2016
23 August 2016As part of Reading’s Year of Culture 2016, and to coincide with national Heritage Open Days, RG Spaces invites you to an exhibition of art and beautiful books at The Turbine House. The exhibition celebrates Reading’s two rivers. Step out over the Kennet River – in this Victorian Turbine House with a great view of the ...
Nominate a local group for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
22 August 2016The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work done in their own communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the anniversary of The Queen’s coronation. It is the MBE for volunteer groups. Any group doing volunteer work that provides a social, ...
Alana House – Empowering Local Women
22 August 2016What is Alana House? Alana House is a community project run by PACT (Parents and children together) which aims to improve the lives of women in the Reading and West Berkshire area. It focuses on providing early intervention and prevention support for vulnerable women with complex needs and those at risk of offending. The team at Alana ...
Ride for Thrive in the PruRide 100 London 2017
17 August 2016Cycle for Thrive in the PruRide 100 London 2017 and help change the lives of those living with disability, ill health or isolation through the power of gardening therapy. This national sponsored cycling event is one of the most popular in the country, with a challenging route, fabulous scenery, excellent refreshment stops and crowds of supporters ...
Artangel Prison Exhibition – be part of the front of house team
17 August 2016Artangel, creators of Inside – Artists and Writers in Reading Prison this autumn, are currently recruiting their front of house team. Eighteen invigilators are required to ensure the comfort, enjoyment and safety of visitors to the exhibition. The invigilators will be essential to the smooth running of the project from 4 September to 30 October ...
Age UK Reading celebrate Arthur’s 103rd Birthday
17 August 2016Excitement was in the air on Monday 8th of August as the Chimneys Activity, Lunch & Social Club eagerly anticipated the arrival of Arthur, a regular at the club celebrating his 103rd birthday. Arthur has been attending the club, which runs Mondays 10:30 – 13:30, for over 16 years, and everyone was keen to celebrate ...
Delivering Integrated Health and Social Care in Reading – get involved!
15 August 2016
Come and join us at Reading’s Wellbeing Forum on Friday 9th September It’s a great opportunity for Voluntary and Community groups to explore our involvement in delivering an integrated health and social care service to some of the most vulnerable people in Reading. The local vision for health and wellbeing is that “Communities and agencies working together ...
Volunteer Health Walk Leader training
12 August 2016Do you know any organisation/persons that will be interested in leading works in their area? The public health team within Reading Borough Council will be running a Walk Leader course soon. This is an accredited course in line with the National Walking for Health Programme. As well as physical benefits, most walk attendees benefit from companionship ...
Frank Bruno supporting Sport in Mind
10 August 2016In July, the British boxing legend Frank Bruno MBE has thrown his weight behind a new programme of sports activities for people in Berkshire with mental health problems – the largest countywide programme of its kind in the UK. The former World Heavyweight Champion, who has faced his own battle with mental illness, gave his support ...
New clerk for Reading Dispensary Trust
10 August 2016Reading Dispensary Trust’s clerk, Walter Gilbert, and their secretary, Barbara Cope, both retired in December 2015 after over 20 years of service. Harriett Dye has since taken over from them. The Trust was formed in 1802 when a need was identified to provide medical services to those who were sick and in need. The Trust now ...