Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 1000+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
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 ...
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2024 – nominations open
7 June 2023
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK It was created in 2002 to celebrate the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation. It is the MBE for volunteer groups and is awarded for life. A list of past winners in Berkshire can be found here. The ...
Magic Little Grants – Open now until 31 October 2023
7 June 2023
Localgiving is the UK’s leading independent non-profit online fundraising platform for charities and community groups. They are incredibly excited to announce that Magic Little Grants 2023 is going to be even bigger and better than ever before. This fund gives local charities and community groups the chance to apply for grants to deliver projects across Great Britain ...
AB Charitable Trust – Migrants and Refugees – next deadline 28 October 2023
6 June 2023
The AB Charitable Trust is an independent grant-making organisation, founded in 1990 to champion human dignity and support marginalised and excluded groups. One of their priorities is to support charities working with migrants and refugees. The Trust recognises that charities offer a range of interventions to support people who are migrants, refugees, and seeking asylum, while operating ...
National Lottery Heritage Fund – Grants for Heritage – next Deadline on 16 November 2023
5 June 2023
Introduction: Heritage can be anything from the past that you value and want to pass on to future generations. National Lottery Grants for Heritage fund a broad range of projects that connect people and communities to the national, regional, and local heritage of the UK. National Lottery Grants for Heritage is an open programme for all types ...