Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 900+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
Ready Friends June Befriending Forum
25 June 2020
More than 30 participants joined the first ever Zoom-hosted Befriending Forum on 18 June, from across the Reading voluntary and community sector, Reading Borough Council, Berkshire Healthcare (BFHT), local business and Bradford University. The event was themed around the mental health needs of local people, especially during lockdown and opened with a presentation from James Momoh from Talking Therapies at ...
BAME fundraising conference – online
24 June 2020
#CharitySoWhite’s Martha Awojobi, in partnership with Fundraising Everywhere, will be hosting the first ever BAME Fundraising Conference on 29 July that will provide organisations with the tools, connections and resources to do brilliant fundraising. This conference will feature incredible BAME speakers, in fundraising and beyond, who will share their insights and techniques for fundraising success. Sessions ...
Karibu in Swahili means Welcome – oral literature workshops
24 June 2020Welcome to an online oral literature workshop which is facilitated by a writer and a trained counsellor with the aim of bringing people together. As the world goes through very unprecedented and challenging times, we want you to know that you are not alone and that you matter. Your voice matters. Your background is important. In ...
Reading Community Grants scheme launched
24 June 2020Reading Voluntary Action is pleased to announce this new funding for small community groups in Reading, who are embedded in and providing grass roots support to their communities. We have received £10,000 from Berkshire Community Foundation to distribute in this way and qualifying groups can apply for up to £2,000 each. RVA values and supports the ...
Government guidance: Easing of restrictions from 4 July
24 June 2020
Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced the government’s plan to continue to ease the restrictions around social distancing. Some additional guidance is now available: Opening certain businesses from 4 July Social distancing guidance up to 4 July Social distancing guidance from 4 July Organisations should continue to take particular care with any service users, staff, volunteers or members of the public who ...
Meet the RVA team: David Neale, Digital Inclusion Development Worker
23 June 2020
David joined RVA in 2013, and these days manages the Get Online project and works towards promoting better digital literacy and internet access throughout Reading. Although Reading has a generally highly qualified population there are significant demographics and geographical areas that have been left behind, where many people still don’t get the full benefit of ...
Berkshire Vision’s remote activities programme for July
23 June 2020
As always, no internet access is required to join in. This month includes peer support coffee mornings for the newly diagnosed and for those with Macular Degeneration as well as a new gardening club. If you’re new to our remote activities programme and you are unsure how it all works or feeling nervous, let us know ...
Advice on coping with heat and Covid-19 as heatwave level 2 warning issued for this week
23 June 2020
A heatwave level 2 warning has been issued from Wednesday 24 June to Friday 26 June 2020 This means that temperatures are likely to rise to levels that increase the risk of ill health among vulnerable adults, particularly older people and those with long-term conditions. Heatwaves can be dangerous, especially for the very young or very old ...
A helpline for anyone affected by the attack in Reading
23 June 2020
The team at No5 Young People are deeply saddened and moved by the attack in Forbury Gardens on Saturday evening. They wanted to do something to help their community through this difficult time. Alyson Brickley, Director at No5 said: ‘As the team at No5 Young People heard about the horrific attack in Forbury Gardens our thoughts ...
Support and advice following the Forbury Gardens attack
22 June 2020
We are all deeply saddened by the attack in Forbury Gardens on Saturday night and offer our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends directly affected. We encourage anyone who needs support or guidance to reach out to RVA and our partner organisations. Reading Together RBC and partners have set up a new #ReadingTogether website with ...
Berkshire Vital Signs Survey 2020 – win £1,000 for a cause of your choice
19 June 2020
Berkshire is home to just over 911,000 people. Access to safe, healthy environments in which we live, learn, work and play can powerfully affect lifelong wellbeing. But we know that in Berkshire not everyone can participate equally and Vital Signs has reported growing concern about child poverty, pressure on carers, mental health and homelessness. In ...
Project Linus – handmade quilts to comfort children and teenagers
19 June 2020
Do you know of a child or teenager who might benefit from the security and comfort of a handmade quilt? Project Linus Berkshire distribute new, homemade, washable quilts, lovingly made by volunteers. The aim is to provide a sense of love, security, warmth and comfort to babies, children and teenagers (up to the age of 19) ...
Research reports on the impact of Coronavirus on BAME communities and women
18 June 2020
If your charity or community group is delivering or planning services to address the adverse and disproportionate impact of Coronavirus on specific communities, the following reports collated by Equally Ours may assist you in identifying and evidencing need, and could be useful for your funding applications and conversations with key stakeholders. Women’s Budget Group research: BAME ...
Meet the RVA Team: Sarah Timmins DeGregory, Development Officer
18 June 2020
Sarah Timmins DeGregory joined the RVA Team at the start of 2016 as a Development Officer. Sarah works in the community, listening to community leaders, families and young people, identifying gaps in service provision, and linking people to opportunities in the voluntary sector that will improve their daily lives and strengthen community cohesion. In our ...
NLCF Emerging Futures Funding – Short Deadline 25 June 2020
17 June 2020
This new fund from the National Lottery Community Fund aims to give communities and civil society organisations across the UK ‘the space, resource and additional expertise to step back and ask questions, imagine alternatives and gather to shape the emerging future’. There is a total of £1 million for this fund over three to ...
Threat of Arson referral procedure
17 June 2020
Threat of Arson or Risk of Arson If you have concerns for someone you are working with that has had a Threat of Arson made against them or their property, or they are at Risk of Arson, then you can submit a referral form to Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS). In light of Covid-19 and ...
Re-opening premises and risk assessing – for charities and community groups
17 June 2020
In the third of our series of interactive Zoom sessions, we will be looking at how your charity or community group might go about re-opening your premises once the restrictions ease and what you might need to consider both now and in the longer term, as the situation around the pandemic continues. This session would be ...
Get Berkshire Active – Activate Fund Round 3 – open until 3 July 2020
17 June 2020
Round 3 of the Activate Fund is now open until 5pm on 3 July 2020 The aim of the fund is to provide new physical activity and sport opportunities for inactive people living in deprived areas in Berkshire. To apply, organisations must meet the following eligibility criteria: Operate on local/regional community initiatives and not be a national charity ...
Asda Foundation Covid-19 Grants – ]
15 June 2020
The Asda Foundation support local grass roots organisations which benefit and involve local communities centred around Asda Food Stores. In response to Covid-19, Asda Foundation have developed 2 new grant streams: Hygiene Grant: This grant is focused on personal hygiene dignity, supporting residents/patients in facilities, who are struggling and unable to provide their own toiletries either ...
BCF – SEGRO Centenary Fund
15 June 2020
The SEGRO Centenary Fund is now open for applications from local charities and community groups in Reading that have employability-led projects and require financial support. The majority of the first year’s funding of more than £1 million will be allocated to projects which provide emergency relief and seek to address the longer term impacts of the ...