Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 900+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
In case you missed it: report into the needs of ethnic minority women in Reading
12 September 2018In July 2018, the University of Reading and Reading Community Learning Centre (RCLC) completed a joint research project 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 ...
It’s only how long till Christmas?! Tell us about your festive volunteering opportunities
11 September 2018We know the kids have only just gone back to school and there is definitely still a touch of summer in the air, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to start thinking about the volunteers you might need for activities you have planned over the festive period. Every year, we are contacted by a significant number of ...
Grants of up to £10k up for grabs
11 September 2018Grants of up to £10k are available to support Berkshire. Charities and groups are being invited to apply for funds by local granting charity Berkshire Community Foundation (BCF). Seven funds are now receiving applications which cover a huge range of issues and projects in Berkshire. The money will support people of all ages struggling with disadvantage. The ...
Social investment for community sports organisations
11 September 2018The Sporting Capital Fund is a new loan funding opportunity for community sports organisations who can apply for a loan of between £50,000 and £150,000. This is open to organisations who want to: make a difference in the community through sport, physical activity or in a sport setting want to grow and become more sustainable by generating ...
The Lion’s Den! Local community groups could win a small grant
5 September 2018Reading Lions will be holding their next Lion’s Den community grant event on the 23 October 2018. Our aim is to reach out to small community groups and charities in Reading and award grants for local community projects. We will be distributing small grants of up to £500 each. If you are involved in a local community project ...
ReSPECT – patients having their say
5 September 2018On Monday, 24 September 2018, Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust will implement the Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment – or ReSPECT for short. ReSPECT is a process which allows people to have a say in the decision-making process about the level of care that they would like to receive in an emergency, even if they ...
Rooms for hire at Support U hub
5 September 2018Support U now offer rooms for hire at their Reading hub on 15 Castle Street, RG1 7SB Rooms available are: Reception room for 20 people Conference room for 8 people 2 Counselling rooms for 2-3 people See the Support U website for the availability of each of the rooms. If you require longer terms, please contact us directly. Office space is also ...
Cultural Commissioning Steering Group – open meeting
5 September 2018The Cultural Commissioning Steering Group are holding a meeting on 19 September 2018, from 6 to 8pm, in the Council Chamber at Reading Borough Council Civic Offices. This is an open meeting for community members to come along, learn more about Reading, Place of Culture, and how you can be involved as a steering group member. The ...
Research into charities, leadership, and reputation
5 September 2018Selina Wagstaff, an MBA student at Henley Business School, is carrying out research into the links between charity leadership and employees’ perceptions of their charity’s reputation. She has created a research survey and is looking for employees of UK charities (of any type or size) to complete it. The survey is designed to be completely anonymous regarding the individual respondent and ...
7 day countdown to the Social Action Mentors launch!
4 September 2018In today’s world we are connected to others more than ever, through travel, migration and communications such as 24-hour news and social media. When global and national issues seem so large and numerous, how can we make a positive impact on our world? Social action at a local level Reading benefits from over 900 community groups and ...
Data protection and data sharing
4 September 2018The ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) is working on updating its Data Sharing Code of Practice to bring it in line with the new Data Protection Act 2018 (which incorporates the GDPR). The Code covers the following areas: What is ‘data sharing’ – systematic versus ad-hoc sharing Data sharing and the law – including sharing between different sectors Factors to ...
Getting your voice heard – Community Impact Bucks annual conference
29 August 2018Community Impact Bucks are holding their annual conference in Aylesbury on 2 October 2018, from 9am to 4.30pm. This year’s theme is ‘Into the spotlight: getting your voice heard’. Industry experts will give advice on how to get your story heard and your cause supported. The day will be an opportunity to think about how to: Focus ...
New Directions part-time adult education – enrol now for September
29 August 2018New Directions is enrolling now for part-time adult education courses starting in September We have over 800 courses on offer in 2018/19 with many new subjects in our key curriculum areas: vocational and accredited courses – including ICT, business and customer services, early years and teaching assistant and a new Understanding Universal Credit course Leisure – including arts, ...
What’s new in the 2018 Annual Return?
28 August 2018What is the Annual Return and do we need to complete it? Registered charities are required to keep their information up to date with the Charity Commission. One way of doing this is by completing an ‘Annual Return’. See this factsheet for a background on Charity Reporting and Accounting, it includes an introduction to the ‘Annual Return’ and ...
NatWest Skills and Opportunities fund – new round opens on 3 September 2018
23 August 2018If you have a project aimed at helping people to help themselves, in the areas of financial capability and enterprise, NatWest have announced that there will be one final round of their Skills and Opportunities Fund opening on 3 September 2018. The regional boards (with the help of a public vote) will determine the destination of ...
New Homelessness Support Services for Reading
22 August 2018The council is launching its new Homelessness Support Services from 1 September 2018. The new service will focus on providing immediate and emergency responses for rough sleepers and homeless people, providing housing and support to address the needs of single homeless people, and preventing homelessness. A launch event is being held on 30 August 2018, between 9am and ...
GSK Impact Awards – open until 20 September 2018
22 August 2018The GSK IMPACT Awards provide funding and training and development for charities doing excellent work to improve people’s health and wellbeing. They are funded by GSK and managed in partnership with The King’s Fund. The awards are open to registered charities that are at least three years old, working in a health-related field in the UK, ...
Call for written evidence into modern slavery
22 August 2018The Home Affairs Committee is undertaking a Modern Slavery inquiry, which is open until 7 September. More information on submitting evidence can be found here. South East Strategic Partnership for Migration are collating stories from the South East to feed into this and would welcome any case examples from local authority and voluntary sector partners, in ...
Thames Valley Berkshire LEP seeking a voluntary and community sector representative
22 August 2018Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Ltd is seeking a highly experienced Voluntary and Community Sector Representative who can bring their commitment, passion and energy to the Thames Valley Berkshire Area European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds Sub-Committee. With a successful track record in Berkshire you will bring your skills, experience and constructive challenge to our well-developed ...
Royal Berkshire Fire Authority – public consultation open until 28 September 2018
22 August 2018Royal Berkshire Fire Authority (RBFA) is consulting the public, staff and other stakeholders on its Corporate Plan and Integrated Risk Management Plan 2019-2023. All fire and rescue authorities have a legal duty to produce a plan that identifies and assesses all fire and rescue related risks that could affect their communities. The plan contains details of what Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) intends to achieve ...