Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 900+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
Coronavirus contingency plans – does your organisation have a van or minibus that could be used?
11 March 2020
In the event that front line Reading charities need extra support to deliver supplies during the coronavirus outbreak, RVA are compiling a list of organisations with vans or minibuses that might be used for this purpose. If your organisation might be able to help, please email details to info@rva.org.uk.
Community journalism: the volunteer research assistants at The Centre for Heritage and Family History
11 March 2020
Our Community Journalist Catherine Martindale has been finding out about the volunteer-led Berkshire Family History Society (BFHS) and The Centre for Heritage and Family History on the second floor of Reading Central Library. For the second of three features, Catherine met Catherine Sampson, the chair of BFHS, and Pat and Peter, two research assistant volunteers ...
Celebrating Social Prescribing Day in Reading
11 March 2020
Thursday 12 March 2020 is International Social Prescribing Day On 12 March we’re joining in with the annual celebration of social prescribing – a day for highlighting the importance and significance of Social Prescribing within healthcare. Find out more about Social Prescribing Day on The Social Prescribing Network website. Join in on social media with #SocialPrescibingDay Find out more ...
Become a ‘Welcome to Reading’ Volunteer Ambassador
10 March 2020
Update: The information afternoon planned for Friday 20 March 2020 has been postponed, but you can still find out more and register your interest by contacting alex@livingreading.co.uk. Are you proud of Reading and interested in helping welcome visitors to our town? Could you spare some time to provide information and directions to visitors as they arrive ...
**POSTPONED**Safeguarding bite-size session: what to do if you suspect financial abuse
9 March 2020This session will provide information regarding the roles of responsibilities of agencies if financial abuse is suspected and how support can be accessed. This event is free to attend and open to everyone whose service works in a public facing role across Reading, Wokingham or West Berkshire. The session will start with presentations from the Local ...
The Alice Driver Award for Inspirational Women – 10 March 2020
9 March 2020
Join us as we mark International Women’s Day by celebrating inspirational women who work to improve the lives of people in need in Reading. The Alice Driver Awards celebrate individual women who have helped those in need in our town, and are named in memory of Alice Driver. Alice Driver was an incredible woman who spent ...
Community journalism: The Centre for Heritage and Family History
4 March 2020
Our Community Journalist Catherine Martindale has been finding out about the volunteer-led Berkshire Family History Society (BFHS) and The Centre for Heritage and Family History on the second floor of Reading Central Library. This overview is the first in a series of three articles exploring their work. The Centre for Heritage and Family History is the ...
Look out for Reading Community Lottery on the big screen by the station
4 March 2020
Reading Community Lottery will be unmissable on the huge Reading Lights sign outside the station for the next five days! We’re promoting the lottery across Reading, and encouraging people to buy tickets online to support local good causes. Players are also in with a chance of winning up to £25,000. The first draw takes place on ...
Coronavirus and your organisation – advice from NCVO
4 March 2020If you’re thinking about what steps you and your organisation may need to take in light of the spread of the covid-19 virus, then NCVO have produced a useful information page, which includes sections on: what to do to protect staff, volunteers and visitors developing a contingency plan links to up-to-date information and sector-specific guidance NCVO – your organisation ...
Get involved with the One Reading partnership
4 March 2020
The One Reading Engagement and Participation Forum provides an opportunity for voluntary and community groups to find out about the One Reading Partnership, to highlight priorities in the community and help shape future services and policy. The agenda for this meeting will include: An update on the Our Reading, Our Future, youth led research capturing experiences of ...
Reading Community Lottery – good causes’ pages will go live on the website this Friday
26 February 2020
Ticket sales for Reading Community Lottery go live on Friday 28 February Good causes’ pages will also go live on Friday and you can start to send your supporters there! You can register as a good cause at any time at www.readingcommunitylottery.co.uk Further information Read more about Reading Community Lottery. Reading Community Lottery is run by Gatherwell, an External Lottery ...
Nominations for Reading Cultural Awards 2020 open
26 February 2020
The public and arts organisations are invited to nominate their favourites Nominations are now open for the 2020 Reading Cultural Awards. Following a hugely successful third year in 2019, Reading UK is delighted to announce that nominations are now open for the 2020 Awards. The Reading Cultural Awards celebrate the best of Reading’s arts, culture and ...
Ethical Recruitment Charter launch on 12 March 2020
26 February 2020
Ethical Reading, in partnership with Reading Borough Council, has developed a ‘gold standard’ for recruitment in our town. Based on the three pillars of Respect, Transparency, and Fairness, the Ethical Recruitment Charter provides support and advice to employers and a guarantee to customers and potential employees. The charter includes commitments to respect the law and regulations ...
Funder Presentations 27 Feb: BCF Elderly Fund still accepting applications
26 February 2020
If you are an organisation that delivers services to older people looking for funding, Berkshire Community Fund are still looking for a few more applications for their current round of funding: Funds for the Elderly. Find out more at the Funding Presentations tomorrow Thursday 27 February from 10.15 – 11.15am or book a 1:1 with Elisha ...
Charity Commission: learning from complaints
26 February 2020
The Charity Commission is urging charities to ‘listen and learn’ when issues are brought to them This advice has come as a result of the Charity Commission reviewing the complaints that it receives about charities, and in particular those that fall below the regulatory threshold. The report also comes amid criticism that the Charity Commission failed to ...
CANCELLED – Dee Park Street Party Workshop
20 February 2020
Unfortunately we have had to cancel this event tonight – we hope to organise another one soon – apologies for any inconvenience RVA is pleased to add another Street Party Workshop to our 2020 roadshow – in partnership with Catalyst Housing in Dee Park. Local residents and community workers are invited to come along on 10 March ...
Be part of Reading Community Lottery – register as a good cause in time for the public launch
19 February 2020There’s still time to register as a good cause in time for the public launch of Reading Community Lottery on 28 February 2020 You can register at any time, but to join the other organisations who will be in it from the start, head to the website to make your application: www.readingcommunitylottery.co.uk. What is Reading Community Lottery? Reading ...
Reading Volunteer Awards 2020 – individual nominations now open!
19 February 2020
Nominations are now open for the Reading Volunteer Awards 2020! Reading Voluntary Action is delighted to announce that we are now accepting nominations for the fourth annual Reading Volunteer Awards. The awards evening celebrates those in our community who volunteer their time, talents and skills for the benefit of our town. This year’s event will take place ...
Reading Mencap and ACRE celebrate National Lottery Award
19 February 2020
Local charities Reading Mencap and ACRE (Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality) are celebrating after being awarded a £372,919 grant from The National Lottery Community Fund to support vital services for children and adults with disabilities and their families. The four-year funding programme will enable Reading Mencap’s Family Support Service to continue its invaluable work with ...
Updated guidance from Berkshire West Safeguarding Children Partnership
18 February 2020
All services working with children and families across Berkshire West are part of the Berkshire West Safeguarding Children Partnership and each organisation has an important role to play. The new Simple Guide to the new Local Safeguarding Arrangements has been designed to help you understand your role in the Berkshire West Safeguarding Children Partnership. You ...