Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 1000+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
Employment law: changes to statutory rates of pay from 1 April 2022
15 February 2022
If your charity employs individuals, please consider and prepare for changes to statutory rates of pay that will come into effect from 1 April 2022: Increase in National Minimum Wage – summary from ACAS Increase in other statutory entitlements, such as Statutory Sick Pay, Statutory Maternity, Paternity, Adoption pay – rates and thresholds from HMRC for 2022/2023 Increase ...
Employment law: upcoming changes to right to work checks
15 February 2022The Government has announced changes to employer right to work checks, which will come into effect from 6 April 2022. In particular there is a move to online evidence for employees who are relying on a Biometric Residence Card (BRC), Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or a Frontier Worker Permit (FWP). If your charity employs individuals, please ...
The Tudor Trust – deadline 31 March 2022
15 February 2022
The Tudor Trust is an independent grant-making charitable trust, which fund a wide range of organisations working to support positive change in people’s lives and in their communities around the UK. The primary focus is core funding, as they want to fund in a way which contributes to the health and strength of organisations. Who can ...
PCC Community Fund – deadline 4 March 2022
9 February 2022
The Community Fund supports voluntary and community groups assisting both the PCC and Thames Valley Police in helping to prevent crime and keep communities safe. Money for the scheme comes from the Community Fund, which is jointly managed by the PCC and the Chief Constable, and is created from the proceeds from the sale of ...
Holiday Activity and Food Programme – open for submissions from providers until 5pm, 18 February 2022
9 February 2022
Now that the Christmas holidays and the 2021 HAF provision have concluded, Brighter Futures for Children are looking towards their Easter and 2022 offer. We have £75k in the HAF budget to fund holiday activities over the Easter holiday. We are working on our plans for the Easter break and are inviting organisations to submit ...
Social Enterprise Support Fund – Round 2 deadline 24 March 2022
9 February 2022
The Social Enterprise Support Fund provides essential financial support to help social enterprises in England to rebuild and grow their income from trading, following the impact of Covid-19. It is established in partnership by The National Lottery Community Fund and five social enterprise support agencies. Who is eligible to apply? To be eligible for this fund, the ...
Money Saving Expert (MSE) Charity – grant round closes 25 February 2022
9 February 2022
The MSE Charity is dedicated to supporting UK voluntary groups deliver financial life skills, which make a lasting impact on the way people think, behave & manage their money. The February 2022 grant round is targeting and supporting groups who will provide and enable those living with long term challenges to become more financially capable. What ...
Free street party workshops
9 February 2022
Street parties are a fun and safe way for people to meet their neighbours, especially for those who rarely get out, and it’s not as difficult or expensive as you may think to put one on in your neighbourhood. Reading Voluntary Action (RVA) is delivering a series of free online workshops for anyone interested in running ...
Reading Community Energy Society Community Grants
7 February 2022
The Reading Community Energy Society (RCES) Community Grants Fund is open for applications Reading Community Energy Society comprises members from the local community, Reading Council and Energy 4 All, all of whom are passionate about increasing the amount of renewable energy in Reading. An important strand of their work is their Community Grants Programme. As a ...
Food for Life Get Togethers – small grants deadline 22 February 2022
2 February 2022
Food for Life Get Togethers are regular community activities that connect people from all ages and backgrounds through food. Using funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, the Soil Association is offering small grants for activities taking place within Plant and Share Month. Who can apply? The grant is open to not-for-profit groups and settings. If you want ...
West of Berkshire Safeguarding Adults Board briefing
2 February 2022
The West of Berkshire Safeguarding Adults Board meets four times a year and discusses how agencies should work together to keep adults at risk of abuse or neglect safe in Reading, West Berkshire and Wokingham. You can download the latest briefing note below: Making a referral – Reading Borough Council’s Safeguarding Advice Line Reading’s Adult Social Care ...
Inclusive Activity Programme Workshop
2 February 2022
Get Berkshire Active are delivering an Inclusive Activity Programme workshop on Sunday 20 February Activity Alliance believe that inclusive coaching is just good coaching. The Inclusive Activity Programme (IAP) is a unique development opportunity for sports coaches, community leaders and health and care professionals. Learn about the key principles of delivering inclusive activities and how to ...
Free webinar for charity leaders on Problem-Tree Analysis and Theory of Change, 8 February 2022
1 February 2022
The Cranfield Trust are offering a free introductory webinar on Problem Tree Analysis and the Theory of Change to charity trustees, managers and leaders. Below is some information on the webinar and you can book directly with the Cranfield Trust through the link at the bottom of the page. Information about this webinar We all face problems ...
Tesco Little Helps – deadline 6 February 2022
1 February 2022
Tesco is banishing Blue Monday, traditionally known as the most depressing day of the year, by launching a campaign to give 60 charities and community projects a £300k boost. Over the next three weeks, they are calling for applications from groups across the UK that would benefit from a £5000 grant to help them to make ...
Looking for a challenge? Home-Start Reading are seeking runners for this year’s Reading Half Marathon
31 January 2022
Could you run for Home-Start Reading? Home-Start Reading support local families through difficult times, to help parents give their children the best possible start in life. Last year six people ran Reading Half Marathon for them, raising just over £2,000. A lot of families are really struggling at the moment, so they would love to raise more ...
Side by Side: A peer learning programme
26 January 2022
How can we nurture and sustain community activity, without controlling and constraining it? How do we build a positive Covid legacy and resist the pull back to old ways? Side by Side is a peer learning programme for anyone looking to connect with others who share a belief in the power of strong community relationships. Together, ...
We’re Right Here – the campaign for community power
26 January 2022
We believe people should have the power to shape the places where they live. During Covid, we woke up to the power of community. But it’s not new. People like you have long been working together to support each other, create good local jobs and improve your areas, and by doing so, helping to tackle some ...
Youth Loneliness Network workshop
26 January 2022
The next Connection Coalition youth loneliness network will be on Wednesday 2 March, 15:00-16:30pm. Picking up one of the key themes from the first panel in December, we will be discussing engaging and involving young people in the conversation on youth loneliness. We are hoping to co-facilitate this session with young people and those who are ...
Vaccinations and your staff and volunteers
25 January 2022This article has been prepared for voluntary and community organisations offering services in Reading, and it is accurate at the date of publication. Please continue to check gov.uk for updates as the situation continues to evolve. The government and NHS have published new guidance that certain health and social care workers must have the Covid-19 vaccination ...
Free live online business course by Rebel Business School
25 January 2022
Do you have clients who want to set up their own business but have been put off by traditional business plans and start-up loans? The Rebel Business School have partnered with Reading UK CIC and other Berkshire councils to offer a free live online course that helps people from all backgrounds and situations to become equipped ...