Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 1000+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
New LGBT+ befriending service for Reading
9 August 2021
The pandemic has been extremely isolating for many people, but many people in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Plus (LGBT+) community have felt the effects of loneliness severely. The LGBT+ community relies on safe spaces like bars, clubs and general meet-ups with like-minded people to be themselves and relax without fear. Comparisons have even been ...
Take part in the STEPtember Challenge for Alana House
5 August 2021
This September PACT are inviting you to take steps to empower women! Join this exciting step challenge and support Alana House’s work with women facing multiple disadvantages. About the challenge The challenge is simple: choose a goal, donate or fundraise for Alana House and get stepping! You can do your steps any time through the month of September ...
“Like Xmas in July!” – a first trip out for senior lunch club members
4 August 2021
A group of 23 senior Reading people, who had been regulars at The Globe Lunch Club before the pandemic, enjoyed a picnic, songs and poems at Caversham Court Gardens recently thanks to a collaboration between The Globe Lunch Club, Readibus and Reading Association for the Blind (RAB). Constance Gooding and a team of six Globe Lunch ...
No5 launches 50th anniversary display at Reading Museum
2 August 2021
For 50 years No5 Young People (No5) has been at the centre of the Reading community – supporting thousands of local young people to take charge of their mental health through counselling, information, advice, training and outreach services. To mark and celebrate 50 years of supporting local young people, No5 is launching its anniversary display at ...
Free cyber security elearning from the National Cyber Security Centre
28 July 2021
We have seen during the pandemic, and more recently through the example of the data breach at the National Lottery Community Fund, that organisations are becoming increasingly more susceptible to cyber fraud, including the voluntary and community sector. If you would like to brush up on your cyber security skills and feel confident that you have ...
Public Consultation on Bereavement Services including Cemeteries and Crematorium
28 July 2021
Reading Borough Council are seeking public views on the Bereavement Services provided by the Council Under the Local Authorities’ Cemeteries Order 1977 (LACO) legislation, Local Authorities are required to prepare and adopt Cemetery Regulations that set out the Council’s policy and procedures for the operation of the cemetery. The last time the cemetery regulations were updated ...
Tell us what you think about Reading town centre – what can be done to make it more sustainable, inclusive and liveable?
28 July 2021
RVA is working with the Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality (ACRE) and the University of Reading’s Participation Lab on a research project exploring community perceptions of Reading town centre. We are interested in what you think about the town centre and what could be done to make it more sustainable, inclusive and liveable. Our online ...
Moving Stories cultural dance programme
28 July 2021
Oxford Road is amongst the most densely populated and cosmopolitan neighbourhoods in the UK. It is home to families and individuals who can trace their ethnic roots to all corners of the globe. In July 2021, Oxford Road residents and community leaders created the banner, ‘A World in One Place’. Oxford Road’s tradition for accommodating diversity ...
The Branding Project from the University of Reading – open for applications
28 July 2021
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 ...
Important: NLCF Data Breach – steps to take if your charity received funding between 2013–2019
27 July 2021
The Civil Society reported this week that the National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) has experienced a data breach, meaning that charities who received funding from the NLCF UK portfolio, England funding, or Building Better Opportunities funding between September 2013 and December 2019 may be at risk of fraud. How to protect your charity Watch out for fraudulent ...
Anton Jurgens Charitable Trust, grants to help the vulnerable
26 July 2021
The Anton Jurgens Charitable Trust (AJCT) gives grants to registered UK based charities working to help those who are vulnerable in society, particularly those supporting socially disadvantaged and disabled people of all ages. Funding is at the discretion of the Trustees. In past years, most grants have ranged from £1,000 to £6,000. Application criteria Only requests from UK ...
Older People’s Day 2021
26 July 2021
Older People’s Day 2021 will take place on Friday 1 October and this year, Broad Street Mall will be hosting a ‘market place’ for local service providers and community groups to feature the support they provide to older people in our community. Reading Borough Council is seeking expressions of interest from community groups and voluntary sector partners ...
Holiday activities for children, families and adults
22 July 2021
Here are a number of activities and events taking place over the summer holidays, for young people, families and adults. In many cases, see the attached flyers for full details but links are also provided below. Youth Team Activities Download the flier highlighting activities for young people in your local area run by Brighter Futures For Children’s ...
Free PPE for voluntary and community groups – deadline 1 August
22 July 2021
The Department of Health and Social Care is offering free PPE (personal protective equipment) for use by voluntary sector organisations. You can express your interest in this free PPE by completing this short form with a few details and then a representative of DHSC will contact you to arrange delivery. DHSC has shared the following information: This offer will close ...
Adviza seeking Delivery Partner for Prince’s Trust team programme
21 July 2021
Adviza is a Delivery Partner for The Prince’s Trust Team programme in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire and has been delivering this Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) funded service for young people since 2007. The Prince’s Trust Team initiative is a 12-week personal development programme to help unemployed young people aged 16 – 25 years to build ...
Pop-up and play – free summer holiday activities for kids
21 July 2021
Join Nature Nurture and friends for a healthy, happy summer at four locations across Reading aimed at 5–13yr olds: Dee Park, Amersham Road, Southcote and Whitley… Mondays to Thursdays from 2 – 26 August, 11am to 3pm There will be loads of activities on offer encouraging your child to learn about nature, get active and stay healthy ...
NCVO guidance for charities following the lifting of restrictions
20 July 2021
Following on from this article, a number of charities have been in touch with the RVA Advice Service looking for suggestions on how to navigate the lifting of lockdown in terms of keeping everyone safe. NCVO are in the process of updating their Coronavirus guidance for charities, but in the meantime, they have kindly shared the ...
Future investment in community support – RBC consultation open until 25 July 2021
19 July 2021
Reading Borough Council has launched a consultation on ‘future investment in community support’: Voluntary and community groups have until 25 July 2021 to give their views. You can complete an online form here. Contact Clare.Muir@reading.gov.uk (Policy and Voluntary Sector Manager at RBC) if you have any queries, would like to receive a hard copy of the consultation questionnaire ...
Sport England – Return to play grants – applications open until end of 2021
19 July 2021
This £15 million fund focuses on awards of up to £10,000 that support clubs and community groups respond to the challenges of returning to play during the coronavirus pandemic and getting people active for the first time after it This fund makes awards using National Lottery and government funding, of between £300 and £10,000 from a total pot ...
Schroder Charity Trust grants
19 July 2021The Schroder Charity Trust is an independent grant-making family trust which supports a wide range of charitable activities. Who can apply Charities registered in the UK What they support The Schroder Charity Trust makes grants of up to £5,000 towards core and project costs to charities registered in the UK for work under the following categories: Arts, Culture and Heritage Education, Training and Employment Environment and ...