Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 1000+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
POSTPONED Small Groups Learn and Share Network – October session: Getting Ready for Funding
8 August 2023
**Please note this session has been postponed, please contact training@rva.org.uk for information** Are you a small community group based in Reading and mainly volunteer run? If yes, this network is for you. It is an opportunity for you to learn, share and grow stronger together with other similar groups and access support from Reading Voluntary Action and ...
Universal Safeguarding Children – for charities and community groups
8 August 2023
Does your charity offer services or activities to children or young people in Reading? If so, come along to this free training. All charities, voluntary and community groups have a duty to keep their service users safe from harm. As most charities and community groups run through the hard work and dedication of volunteers, it is ...
Postponed: Community Buildings Forum – November 2023
8 August 2023
Please note this event has now been postponed to the New Year. Contact training@rva.org.uk if you would like more information or support. Are you a charity or community group looking for space to run your activities or services, or do you have space within your building that you would like to hire out, lease or offer ...
Welcome to Reading Coffee Morning in Reading Central Library
2 August 2023
Welcome to Reading Coffee Morning is a free and friendly drop-in session for people who are new to Reading as well as people who have been here a while and would like to join us. Come along and join us over a cuppa and find out more about living in Reading. Chat to local organisations who ...
Berkshire Vision volunteering open day
31 July 2023
Would you like to know more about volunteering with Berkshire Vision? We’re holding a volunteering open day on Tuesday 5th September, between 10am and 1pm, at our office (Midleton House, 5 Erleigh Road, reading, RG4 5LR). Come along, meet the team and find out about the volunteer roles we have available. Our wonderful volunteers support our visually ...
The7stars foundation grants – deadline on 31 August 2023
26 July 2023
The7stars foundation, established by the7stars, supports the most challenged young people in the United Kingdom. Assisting forgotten young people aged 16 years and under, lacking opportunity, to achieve their potential. The funding looks to support those challenged by abuse; addiction; those who are young carers; and those without a safe place to call home. What are the ...
First Steps towards Safe and Sound – September session
20 July 2023First Steps towards Safe and Sound is a free self-assessment tool for all voluntary and community organisations in Reading who would like to take the initial steps towards becoming an organisation with good governance and being able to demonstrate this to others. The core areas include safeguarding, health and safety, data protection and equity diversity ...
NCVO Time Well Spent 2023 report released
14 July 2023
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) have released the latest report in the Time Well Spent series. Exploring what volunteer participation and experience looks like in 2023, against a backdrop of five years of significant external change, there is a lot to interest anyone seeking to involve volunteers in their work. You will find the ...
The Branding Project from the University of Reading – open for applications until end August 2023
14 July 2023
Are you a new charity looking to establish a brand identity but lacking the resources to do so? Or are you a not-for-profit in need of a brand refresh or re-positioning and would welcome some input from students at The University of Reading? Reading University will be holding a structured eight-week ‘design-thinking brand jam’ with Part ...
Volunteering Stories – Mark, A Community First Responder
13 July 2023
Steve Hendry (RVA Volunteering Development Manager) spoke recently with Mark a Community First Responder with South Central Ambulance Charity. Mark shared his experience of volunteering and his advice for anyone thinking of getting involved. Tell us about the role you are volunteering in A Community First Responder (CFR) is a volunteer role with South Central Ambulance ...
300 Plastic Chairs avaiable to collect for free
11 July 2023
Rivermead has 300 plastic chairs which are available to any VCS group to collect for free. For further information or to make arrangments for collection please contact Steve McBride the Rivermead General Manager steve.mcbride@gll.org
Free desk and chairs available for collection
6 July 2023
The Refugee Support Group have a desk and office chairs available for collection from their office: 35-39 London Street, Reading, RG1 4PS. For enquiries, contact Refugee Support Group at info@rrsg.org.uk or call 01189 505 356. Dimensions are as follows: Desk measurements are 120cm width x 80cm depth x 72cm height / 47.2inch width x 31.5inch depth x 28.5inch ...
Volunteering Stories – Stuart’s volunteering journey with Guide Dogs for the Blind
6 July 2023
In May 2023 our Volunteering Development Manager Steve Hendry caught up with Stuart, Fundraiser, Campaigner, registered Speaker and My Sighted Guide volunteer with Guide Dogs for a quick Q&A. What inspired you to take on that role? The first role… as I started to lose my sight I really wanted to help people who were starting ...
Male volunteers aged 70+ wanted for food study at the University
4 July 2023
At the University of Reading, we are running a project called Fortiphy where we have been working with older adults to create food solutions to improve nutritional status. We are currently testing variations of porridge in a nutrition intervention study and we are looking for lots of volunteers aged 70+ years to participate. As we are ...
Easyfundraising: how your group can raise money from online shopping
28 June 2023
Easyfundraising is a fundraising platform for organisations and enables you to raise unrestricted funds through online shopping. RVA has recently partnered with Easyfundraising to help local groups to find out about this fundraising platform. Below is an explanation from Easyfundraising and how your group can sign up. How it works Here’s how it works: when your supporters ...
Join our local autistic community at AutAngel
21 June 2023
We’re AutAngel, a local community interest company run by and for autistic adults. New members would be welcome in several of our groups for autistic adults. We have both in-person and online groups; they are free to attend but we do appreciate donations. In person groups available to new members are: monthly mixed peer support, monthly ...
Are you a small group and do you need help with funding?
14 June 2023
Are you a small group offering services or activities to your community in Reading? Do you need help with getting funding to run your group? Come along to our Small Groups Learn and Share Network on 4 July 11am – 12.30am at the library. What we’ll cover: Hear from BCF a local funder on their upcoming funding round Hear ...
RBC Small Grants Fund 2023/2024 Round 1
14 June 2023
Round 1 of the RBC Small Grants Fund 2023/2024 is now open for applications for voluntary and community groups offering services in Reading to apply. There is a total of £100K allocated for this round and groups can apply for £5k (or £10k as a partnership). What are the funder priorities? The funding is available to support ...
National Lottery Community Fund launches its new strategy
12 June 2023
The new strategy will cover the next seven years (2023 to 2030) with plans to invest more money in grassroots projects across the UK starting this year. In what is being characterised as ’the biggest change in National Lottery funding for a generation’, the UK’s largest community funder has announced that it will double the amount ...
Reading Volunteer Thank You Evening 2023
12 June 2023
Last Monday (5 June) volunteers from across our town gathered at the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) for a Volunteer Thank You evening. Blessed with fine weather, volunteers were able to come together to enjoy food, drink and company whilst exploring the fascinating exhibitions the MERL has to offer, including their wonderful gardens. All this ...