Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 1000+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
Help to review the SEND Local Offer
18 February 2022
The Family Information Service and SEND Local Offer need your help! They are looking for parent carers who can spare a little time to help review the SEND Local Offer. Reading Families Forum, parent carers, Family Information Service/SEND Local Offer, and other services supporting SEND meet up online every 2 months to review and look at sections ...
Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families – new resources
18 February 2022
The Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families have launched a number of new resources Growing together toolkit and podcast discussing racism and mental health in schools To celebrate Children’s Mental Health Week 2022, their schools team have created a Growing together toolkit which celebrates diversity in all its forms and they have also launched a new podcast ...
University of Reading Internship Scheme open for applications
18 February 2022
Are you a non-profit organisation looking to hire a high-quality student intern? Then the Reading Internship Scheme (RIS) might be for you! The University of Reading’s flagship RIS programme connects you to our undergraduate students through 4–8 fully-funded internships. It is an opportunity aimed at providing value both for you as an employer and for our ...
Time to Flex: embracing flexible working – report by ACEVO and NCVO
16 February 2022
Flexible working practices are fundamental to the future of work within charities, helping us deliver more for the people and communities we support, says a new report from ACEVO, NCVO and Starfish Search. Time to Flex draws on conversations with colleagues across the voluntary sector and explores the various benefits and barriers to embracing flexible working. ...
Review of the Accessible Information Standard – respond by 28 February 2022
16 February 2022
2022 Review of the Accessible Information Standard A review of the Accessible Information Standard (AIS) is running until March 2022. NECS are working with NHS England and Improvement to carry out the review. The AIS Review will undertake a detailed examination of the Standard building on the findings from previous reviews and working with a wide ...
Community Gardens Award – deadline 28 February 2022
16 February 2022
In 2011 the National Garden Scheme set up an award scheme in memory of Elspeth Thompson, the much-loved garden writer and journalist who died in 2010. National Garden Scheme Community Gardens Award provides funding to amateur gardeners from community groups in England and Wales to create a garden or similar project (such as an allotment) ...
Windrush Day Grant Scheme – deadline 18 March 2022
16 February 2022
The Windrush Day Grant Scheme is led by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). National Windrush Day and this scheme forms a part of the government’s commitment to level up opportunity across diverse communities, help build greater trust in public services, improve outcomes for everyone and forge a greater sense of belonging. The ...
Employment law: changes to statutory rates of pay from 1 April 2022
15 February 2022
If your charity employs individuals, please consider and prepare for changes to statutory rates of pay that will come into effect from 1 April 2022: Increase in National Minimum Wage – summary from ACAS Increase in other statutory entitlements, such as Statutory Sick Pay, Statutory Maternity, Paternity, Adoption pay – rates and thresholds from HMRC for 2022/2023 Increase ...
Employment law: upcoming changes to right to work checks
15 February 2022The Government has announced changes to employer right to work checks, which will come into effect from 6 April 2022. In particular there is a move to online evidence for employees who are relying on a Biometric Residence Card (BRC), Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or a Frontier Worker Permit (FWP). If your charity employs individuals, please ...
The Tudor Trust – deadline 31 March 2022
15 February 2022
The Tudor Trust is an independent grant-making charitable trust, which fund a wide range of organisations working to support positive change in people’s lives and in their communities around the UK. The primary focus is core funding, as they want to fund in a way which contributes to the health and strength of organisations. Who can ...
PCC Community Fund – deadline 4 March 2022
9 February 2022
The Community Fund supports voluntary and community groups assisting both the PCC and Thames Valley Police in helping to prevent crime and keep communities safe. Money for the scheme comes from the Community Fund, which is jointly managed by the PCC and the Chief Constable, and is created from the proceeds from the sale of ...
Holiday Activity and Food Programme – open for submissions from providers until 5pm, 18 February 2022
9 February 2022
Now that the Christmas holidays and the 2021 HAF provision have concluded, Brighter Futures for Children are looking towards their Easter and 2022 offer. We have £75k in the HAF budget to fund holiday activities over the Easter holiday. We are working on our plans for the Easter break and are inviting organisations to submit ...
Social Enterprise Support Fund – Round 2 deadline 24 March 2022
9 February 2022
The Social Enterprise Support Fund provides essential financial support to help social enterprises in England to rebuild and grow their income from trading, following the impact of Covid-19. It is established in partnership by The National Lottery Community Fund and five social enterprise support agencies. Who is eligible to apply? To be eligible for this fund, the ...
Money Saving Expert (MSE) Charity – grant round closes 25 February 2022
9 February 2022
The MSE Charity is dedicated to supporting UK voluntary groups deliver financial life skills, which make a lasting impact on the way people think, behave & manage their money. The February 2022 grant round is targeting and supporting groups who will provide and enable those living with long term challenges to become more financially capable. What ...
Free street party workshops
9 February 2022
Street parties are a fun and safe way for people to meet their neighbours, especially for those who rarely get out, and it’s not as difficult or expensive as you may think to put one on in your neighbourhood. Reading Voluntary Action (RVA) is delivering a series of free online workshops for anyone interested in running ...
Reading Community Energy Society Community Grants
7 February 2022
The Reading Community Energy Society (RCES) Community Grants Fund is open for applications Reading Community Energy Society comprises members from the local community, Reading Council and Energy 4 All, all of whom are passionate about increasing the amount of renewable energy in Reading. An important strand of their work is their Community Grants Programme. As a ...
Food for Life Get Togethers – small grants deadline 22 February 2022
2 February 2022
Food for Life Get Togethers are regular community activities that connect people from all ages and backgrounds through food. Using funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, the Soil Association is offering small grants for activities taking place within Plant and Share Month. Who can apply? The grant is open to not-for-profit groups and settings. If you want ...
West of Berkshire Safeguarding Adults Board briefing
2 February 2022
The West of Berkshire Safeguarding Adults Board meets four times a year and discusses how agencies should work together to keep adults at risk of abuse or neglect safe in Reading, West Berkshire and Wokingham. You can download the latest briefing note below: Making a referral – Reading Borough Council’s Safeguarding Advice Line Reading’s Adult Social Care ...
Inclusive Activity Programme Workshop
2 February 2022
Get Berkshire Active are delivering an Inclusive Activity Programme workshop on Sunday 20 February Activity Alliance believe that inclusive coaching is just good coaching. The Inclusive Activity Programme (IAP) is a unique development opportunity for sports coaches, community leaders and health and care professionals. Learn about the key principles of delivering inclusive activities and how to ...
Tesco Little Helps – deadline 6 February 2022
1 February 2022
Tesco is banishing Blue Monday, traditionally known as the most depressing day of the year, by launching a campaign to give 60 charities and community projects a £300k boost. Over the next three weeks, they are calling for applications from groups across the UK that would benefit from a £5000 grant to help them to make ...