Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 1000+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
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 ...
Looking for a challenge? Home-Start Reading are seeking runners for this year’s Reading Half Marathon
31 January 2022
Could you run for Home-Start Reading? Home-Start Reading support local families through difficult times, to help parents give their children the best possible start in life. Last year six people ran Reading Half Marathon for them, raising just over £2,000. A lot of families are really struggling at the moment, so they would love to raise more ...
Vaccinations and your staff and volunteers
25 January 2022This article has been prepared for voluntary and community organisations offering services in Reading, and it is accurate at the date of publication. Please continue to check gov.uk for updates as the situation continues to evolve. The government and NHS have published new guidance that certain health and social care workers must have the Covid-19 vaccination ...
Free live online business course by Rebel Business School
25 January 2022
Do you have clients who want to set up their own business but have been put off by traditional business plans and start-up loans? The Rebel Business School have partnered with Reading UK CIC and other Berkshire councils to offer a free live online course that helps people from all backgrounds and situations to become equipped ...
Reading Covid Support Fund – deadline 5pm on 4 March 2022
25 January 2022
Reading Borough Council has allocated £220k for grants to the voluntary and community sector for the year 2021/22 from the ‘Reading Covid Support Fund’. The funding is available to support the infrastructure and/or additional capacity needed by voluntary and community organisations to expand existing services, deliver services in a different way or to develop new ...
Free voluntary sector workshops by Compass Recovery College
25 January 2022
Compass Recovery College are continuing their free voluntary sector mental health and wellbeing training this March These workshops are open access to staff, volunteers and befrienders alike. The goal of this free training is to boost voluntary sector mental health and wellbeing knowledge and help those supporting others to take control of their own mental wellbeing. We ...