Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 900+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
Heritage Emergency Fund – opening for applications soon
1 April 2020
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has put together a £50 million fund to support the heritage sector as an immediate response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The UK-wide fund will address immediate pressures over the next three to six months for those organisations most in need. It will be open for applications within the next ...
Charity Commission – updated guidance
1 April 2020
The Charity Commission has updated its coronavirus guidance for charities. It now includes a section on charitable objects. Many charities can rely on their existing charitable objects to deliver adapted services responding to the coronavirus pandemic in the community, however, charities will need to check their governing documents and update their charitable objects in some ...
The National Lottery Community Fund – funding approach in response to Covid-19
31 March 2020
The National Lottery Community Fund has issued a press release in relation to funding support during the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to supporting existing grant holders, they have now decided that funding decisions for the next six months (up to £300m) will be devoted to addressing the current crisis. They are also intending to accelerate ...
Charities Aid Foundation Emergency Fund – applications open
31 March 2020
Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has launched a £5m emergency fund for small charities to reduce the impact of Covid-19 Applications are now open for grants of up to £10,000 to small charities that are directly impacted by the pandemic. They anticipate that there will be a high level of requests for support. Their funding priorities will focus ...
Round-up of funding for the coronavirus response
31 March 2020A round-up of funding available to support the coronavirus response This list was last updated on 8 April 2020. See also Reading 4 Community. Clothworkers’ Emergency Capital Programme The Clothworkers’ Emergency Capital Programme (CECP) will award small capital grants of up to £5,000 for essential capital items to adapt or increase services in response to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) ...
Guide for community groups offering coronavirus support services
31 March 2020
Thank you to all the community groups and charities in Reading, who are adapting their services and providing invaluable, additional support and services during this time. It really has been inspirational to see local social action. Your group may now be offering those who are self-isolating the following services: Shopping volunteers Collecting prescriptions Driving to essential medical appointments Telephone befriending RVA ...
Telephone befriending – training package
31 March 2020
Keeping in touch with people if you are feeling lonely and isolated has never been more important and this need will increase as the weeks pass. Existing befriending schemes are now switching from face-to-face to telephone-based befriending. Other voluntary, neighbourhood and community groups are looking into how to make the most of their volunteers to offer ...
Update on the coronavirus response
31 March 2020Thank you for all you are doing to support the town and for working in partnership like never before, it’s amazing! In case you missed it, the One Reading Community Hub is open and calls are increasing day by day. Please don’t refer people to the hub if you can support their needs within your own ...
Berkshire Community Foundation – Vital for Berkshire, Coronavirus Funding
30 March 2020
Berkshire Community Foundation (BCF) have launched their Vital for Berkshire Coronavirus Funding to support groups in Berkshire who are working with those most affected by the impact of coronavirus. You can find more information on the BCF website. The funding is open for applications from 31 March 2020. They are working alongside the National Emergencies Trust, who ...
Update from DBS Service
30 March 2020
If your group is supporting the local community during the Coronavirus pandemic, you may have wondered what the position is regarding DBS checks. The DBS Service have today updated their guidance, which can be found here RVA is preparing a guide for groups, which includes best practice on keeping others safe whilst volunteering, which will be ...
Prescription delivery scheme for vulnerable local people from Healthwatch Reading
30 March 2020
Healthwatch Reading have launched a Reading Prescription Delivery Scheme to ensure medicines can be delivered to isolated and vulnerable people during the coronavirus crisis Their DBS-checked staff, assisted by vetted volunteers, will deliver to households if people are: in the 1.5m group of people who have received a text or letter from the NHS telling them to ...
Police Property Act – Covid-19 Response Funding – applications open until 20 April 2020
30 March 2020
To support voluntary and community organisations during the coronavirus pandemic, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and Chief Constable have opened this round of the Police and Property Act Fund early. From 30 March 2020, applications are being sought from organisations across the Thames Valley who are supporting our communities through this outbreak. The Fund, which ...
Unoccupied charity premises – contact your insurers or landlord
26 March 2020
In line with government guidelines, many of us are now working from home. If your charity or community group has a lease or owns a building, the premises will now most likely be unoccupied. If this is the case, then you should take the following steps to ensure that your building and contents insurance is ...
Reading Community Lottery – One Reading Coronavirus Community Response fund
26 March 2020
The first draw for Reading Community Lottery takes place this Saturday, 28 March 2020 There’s still time to buy tickets ahead of the first draw and support local good causes: www.readingcommunitylottery.co.uk/support/find-a-good-cause. For every £1 spent on a ticket, 50p goes to your chosen good cause, and 10p goes into a central pot to support Reading groups and ...
Live storytelling on ABC to Read’s new YouTube Channel
26 March 2020
ABC to read have set up live storytelling so that children can listen to their volunteers read stories whilst they are not in a position to support children on a one-to-one basis in schools. They will be posting stories on social media and uploading them into a library on their website, in case parents would like ...
Free online courses to help carers of people with dementia cope during current restrictions
26 March 2020Future Learn are offering free online courses for carers of people with dementia to help them cope during the current restrictions on social activities With the current coronavirus emergency situation and recent advice for people over 70, and those with serious health conditions to stop non-essential contact with others for 12 weeks, it is easy to ...
The One Reading Community Hub action line is now live
26 March 2020
The One Reading Community Hub action line is now live – a place where people in need of help can be connected with volunteers, organisations and services who can support them during the coronavirus outbreak. The number to call is 0808 1894325 (free phone). The phone line is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and 9am ...
Round-up of Reading service updates during the coronavirus outbreak
26 March 2020
A round-up of service updates during the coronavirus outbreak Thursday 26 March 2020 The Ridgeline Trust have suspended horticultural therapy sessions at their garden until further notice. They are still available via email, admin@ridgelinetrust.org.uk, and will have updates on their website www.ridgelinetrust.org.uk and Facebook page www.facebook.com/ridgelinetrust. ABC to read have set up live storytelling so that children can ...
Royal Berkshire Hospital’s coronavirus action plan
25 March 2020
The next stages in a major Covid-19 action plan aimed at ensuring local patients, staff and communities are guaranteed first-class health care and support have been outlined by hospital leaders today The far-reaching plan builds on work already in place at the Royal Berkshire Hospital Foundation Trust and is aimed at reassuring people that everything possible ...
Arts Council England creates £160m emergency fund
25 March 2020
Arts Council England (ACE) has made £160m of emergency funding available to organisations and individuals who will need it during the Covid-19 crisis. Round two applications are open until 21 August 2020. It has also changed the funding requirements for individuals and organisations currently in receipt of funding. Its statement reads: “We will offer individuals and organisations working ...