Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 900+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
Call for Evidence – Loneliness Strategy
4 July 2018The Government is asking for organisations with expertise and experience in tackling loneliness to help by providing views on the Strategy framework being developed. Reducing the risks of Loneliness and Social Isolation is one of the priorities for Reading’s Health and Wellbeing Board. Over the last 18 months, the voluntary and community sector has been very ...
An integrated approach to health and social care
4 July 2018Involving the voluntary sector After attending many partnership meetings over the years, I am beginning to see some real progress when we talk about integration. Previously, integration was focused on how health and social care could work together to best support the people who need support for their health and wellbeing. Now, there is more discussion about ...
Do you need help with fundraising? Mini-workshops on 12 July
27 June 2018RVA are partnering with the Foundation for Social Improvement (FSI) to offer small and local charities and community groups three mini workshops in Reading! The workshops will cover the following three key fundraising skills. The sessions are just 1.5 hours to make them as accessible as possible for busy charity employees/ volunteers! Developing Your Fundraising Strategy (10.15 – 11.45am) A comprehensive ...
Self-employed or a worker? Lessons from the Pimlico case
27 June 2018Does your charity contract for services from someone who is described as self-employed? If so, then you may need to review your arrangements and check whether the individual is truly self-employed or you are treating them as a worker. If it is the latter, then they could have worker or even employment rights due to them, ...
Feedback from CCG Listening Event
26 June 2018Last week Reading Voluntary Action hosted a Listening Event to kick off the process of developing a Voluntary Sector strategy with Berkshire West Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed so energetically. The strategy will focus on how the CCG works with the voluntary and community sector (VCS) across Berkshire West ...
Social Impact Bond to improve outcomes for young people in Reading
21 June 2018Reading Borough Council, along with its strategic partners, has submitted a bid to the Government’s Life Chances Fund to support a Social Impact Bond. The outcomes of the SIB are related to improving participation in education, employment and training outcomes for Reading’s most vulnerable young people aged 11 to 19 (and up to 25 for ...
People’s Health Trust – Active Communities fund open in Reading
21 June 2018Local groups and organisations with great ideas to make their communities even better places to live are now invited to apply for funding to turn their ideas into reality. Using money raised by society lotteries through The Health Lottery, People’s Health Trust has opened Active Communities ‘HealthConfirm’ for the area covering Wokingham, West Berkshire, Reading, Windsor ...
Mental Health First Aid starts with you
21 June 2018MHFA England are offering a 2-day Mental Health First Course in Reading on 16 and 17 July 2018 What is a mental health problem? Mental health problems cover a wide range of issues – including stress, anxiety, depression and substance abuse – that affect someone’s ability to get on with their daily life. The most common mental ...
Struggling communities to be given a lifeline by new fundraising campaign
21 June 2018Launch of Vital for Berkshire campaign Berkshire is seen by many as epitomising the South East, a prosperous and successful county. But behind this image is another Berkshire, one with hidden deprivation. Berkshire Community Foundation (BCF) is putting a spotlight on this hidden Berkshire with the launch of their new campaign: Vital for Berkshire. People across Berkshire ...
‘Building Connections Fund’ to open in July 2018
20 June 2018The Prime Minister announced this week that charities and community groups will get £20 million of new funding to help isolated people and those suffering from loneliness. The funding will go towards supporting and expanding programmes that bring people together and are proving to benefit communities and includes a new £11 million Building Connections Fund. This fund will ...
Police Property Act Fund – open until 17 July
20 June 2018The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Thames Valley, Anthony Stansfeld, and the Chief Constable, Francis Habgood, have opened a new grant round of the Police Property Act Fund. The fund, which is jointly managed by the PCC and the Chief Constable, is created from money recovered by the police and the proceeds from the sale ...
Berkshire Maestros relocating to Queen Anne’s School
20 June 2018Local, independent music education charity Berkshire Maestros is to relocate its Caversham Music Centre to Queen Anne’s School from September 2018. The partnership between the school and the charity will bring improved facilities for Berkshire Maestros students while offering pupils at Queen Anne’s access to new musical opportunities. Previously based at Highdown School at Emmer Green, ...
Chances for Children Grants
20 June 2018Chances for Children grants from Buttle UK are up to £2000 in value and designed to meet the multiple needs of vulnerable children and young people by funding a holistic package of support. They meet immediate physical needs by paying for household items, such as a cooker or children’s beds, and also meet a child’s ...
RVA Ready Friends Coordinator – closing date 13 July 2018
19 June 2018We are looking for an experienced community development worker with the motivation and skills to build on our loneliness and isolation work. An exciting opportunity for anyone who cares about social action in Reading, who is self motivated and able to engage the public in our campaign. Your role will be to encourage community participation in ...
People’s Health Trust Funding open in Reading until 11 July
19 June 2018Active Communities is offering grants to local groups and organisations with great ideas to make their communities even better places to live. They’re looking for small and local projects, designed and run by local people. Grants offered between £5,000 and £25,000 per year for projects lasting up to two years. Who can apply for funding? You can only apply ...
CEO Forum
18 June 2018The Voluntary Sector CEO Forum will be hosted by Blandy and Blandy Solicitors. Nick Burrows, Partner Charity and Commercial Law will be hosting and taking questions with a focus on: Any lingering GDPR questions or concerns Key points to consider before formally entering a partnership agreement and the significance of the different structures. Plus an opportunity for networking and ...
Reading Volunteer Awards 2018 – photos and stories
14 June 2018We know you’ve been eagerly awaiting the photos from the Reading Volunteer Awards and they are now up on our dedicated Awards page, along with the stories of award winners and more!
Reading SOUP returns to St Laurence’s – with a brand new look
14 June 2018After almost a year away, Reading SOUP returns to their old home of St Laurence’s on Wednesday 20 June 2018. They will be revealing their brand new look, having had an overhaul of their logo, website, and more. Pitching at the upcoming event are children’s domestic violence support group Bounce Back 4 Kids; blind support charity, ...
Research presentation: the needs of minority ethnic women living in Reading
14 June 2018Reading Community Learning Centre (RCLC) invite you to attend a presentation of research into the needs of ethnic minority women living in Reading and how RCLC meets those needs. The presentation will take place at RCLC on 19 July 2018, from 11.30am – 1.30pm. The research was organized and led by Dr Sally Lloyd Evans, Associate ...
Refugee Week 2018 – screening of Human Flow and post-film discussion
14 June 2018Screening of Human Flow (12A) and post-film discussion for Refugee Week 2018 – Reading Film Theatre, in partnership with Reading Refugee Support Group Ai Weiwei’s epic film documents the staggering scale of 65 million people around the world who have been forced from their homes to escape famine, climate change or war. It gives a powerful ...