Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 1000+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
Congratulations to Home-Start Reading – Safe and Sound Award renewed!
24 March 2026
We’re pleased to share that Home-Start Reading have recently undergone an external review of their governance as a charity and successfully been awarded a renewal of their Safe and Sound Good Governance Award for a further three years! Well done to the whole team. In this article we took the opportunity to interview Catherine Troup ...
RBC Properties/Land for disposal in Financial Year 2026/2027
13 March 2026
We have received advance notice from RBC that the following properties/land will be up for sale (disposal) in their upcoming financial year from April 2026: Palmer Park Lodge Palmer Park former WCs Caversham Court Stables The Keep, Oxford Road Reading Road, Woodley, land at Callington Road, land at Bridge Street/Church Street, Caversham, land at 76 Bath Road, land at rear of RBC has recently ...
Easyfundraising – unrestricted micro grants – Deadline 5 April 2026
12 March 2026The Easyfundraising Impact Fund is now open and is offering 20 unrestricted grants of £500 to UK not-for-profit organisations to help them continue or enhance their work. Who is eligible to apply? The fund is open to organisations of all sizes and structures, including charities, not-for-profits, schools and education settings, sports clubs, CICs and social enterprises, youth ...
The Fore, unrestricted funding- next round opens on 25 March to 1 April 2026
12 March 2026Introduction – overview of the funding The Fore is the only open-access funder in the UK offering development funding and strategic support to early-stage charities and social enterprises. Who is eligible to apply? Applications are accepted from the following types of organisation with an annual revenue of less than £500,000 in the previous completed financial year: Registered charities (including those constituted as ...
New Gov Funding – Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund – Deadline 31 March 2026
12 March 2026The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has launched a new three-year fund running from 2026 to 2029 that is available to voluntary, community and faith sector organisations in England to prevent and reduce homelessness and rough sleeping through strengthened community support and service transformation. Who is eligible to apply? Applications are open to voluntary, ...
Rowntree Community Grants for Summer Activities for Adults – deadline 31 March 2026
12 March 2026Grants are available for community projects supporting adult wellbeing through creating better places, improving prospects or bringing about positive change. The aim of the funding is to support the hosting of summer activities in the local community for people aged between 21 and 65 years old. Eligible projects ideas include transforming an outdoor space or community garden, ...
Entry level – Understanding Charity Finances – April 2026 session via Zoom
12 March 2026
We regret that we have had to postpone this training. If you are interested in attending, please email training@rva.org.uk and we will let you know when a new session has been arranged. Would you like to gain a better basic understanding of charity finances? The aim of this one hour online session is to help you understand ...
Prevent Training for Charities and Community Groups
10 March 2026Prevent Awareness Live Training Description Book a space on Eventbrite This session will deliver a new Home Office Prevent training module. It aims to increasing understanding about Prevent, explain what radicalisation, extremism and terrorism are, what the notice, check, share procedure is and how to apply it and what to do if you do come across any concerning behaviours. The ...
Can you spare 2 minutes to do a survey of your community’s needs?
26 February 2026
Chapter2, a Reading-based charity mentoring boys growing up without fathers, is asking people to complete a 2-minute anonymous survey. The survey explores the real pressures families are facing locally. Your voice will help shape practical support where it’s most needed. Survey: https://forms.office.com/e/Fr6GyLE6D7 Please respond by the end of March. Thank you! Find out more at https://chapter2.org.uk/
Reading’s Big Quiz
19 February 2026
Reading’s Big Quiz is back for round two! Wednesday 25th March 2026, 7pm-9.30pm (doors at 6.30pm), Playlist Live Reading (RG1 1EP) Come and find out how much you really know about Reading’s history, culture and people at Reading’s Big Quiz! It doesn’t matter if you’ve lived here your entire life or if you are new to Reading, ...
Inclusion and a safe space for people facing loneliness
19 February 2026
The last three Ready Friends Befriending Forums clearly demonstrated how Reading’s voluntary and community groups are providing safe and inclusive spaces for people facing loneliness in different communities. The wide range of groups that shared how they support local people included: Refugee Support Group Wycliffe Coffee and Craft Reading Golders Together for Mental Wellbeing Younger People With Dementia Thames Valley Gay Chorus Reading ...
RVA Annual General Meeting
9 February 2026Dear RVA members and partners Please join us for the Reading Voluntary Action AGM and networking – Book a space on Eventbrite Refreshments available from 10am Summary of the agenda Our report on the past year and plans for the year ahead. A ‘thank you’ to all the Reading Charities and community groups for all their amazing work! Appointed of ...
New Funding Opportunity for local groups to reduce health inequalities – deadline 28th February 2026
5 February 2026The Queen Victoria Fund Reading (QVFR) has recently launched as a grant making charity with the primary aim of funding public health initiatives that help reduce health inequalities Who can apply? QVFR will fund organisations working within the Reading Borough Council and Earley Town Council areas including charities, voluntary and community groups. Organisations do not need to ...
A Legacy of Love, Loss & Hope: The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt Comes to Reading
5 February 2026TVPS is celebrating a landmark moment: 40 years of supporting people living with HIV across Berkshire. Four decades of compassion, resilience, activism, and community. To honour this milestone, we are bringing something truly extraordinary to Reading. As part of our anniversary, TVPS will be displaying a section of the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt, one of the ...
East Reading Festival 2026 – booking now open
29 January 2026
We’re excited to announce that our 2026 festival booking form is now live! The festival is running from 12–6pm on Sunday 21 June 2026 at Palmer Park. If you would like to get involved as a stall holder, performer, committee member or volunteer, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/CJGLAUyjLAECe7Nr8. Further information Website: www.eastreadingfestival.co.uk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EastReadingFestival We look forward to working with you!
LGBTQIA+ Football Club, Reading – Support Utd
22 January 2026
Launching Wednesday 21st January 2026, Support Utd is a friendly and inclusive LGBTQIA+ football club where everyone is welcome, no matter your gender identity, sexuality, or experience level. Whether you’ve played for years or have never set foot on a pitch, this is your chance to get active, meet new people, and have fun in a ...
Community Buildings Forum – April 2026
15 January 2026Are you a charity or community group in Reading looking for space to run your activities or services, or do you have space within your building that you would like to hire out, lease or offer to others? Then come along to our next Community Buildings Forum on 30 April 2026, 10am -12noon. (Registration and refreshments ...
Free NHS Health Checks now available at Broad Street Mall
15 January 2026
Free NHS health checks now available at Broad Street Mall We’re on the first floor, next to the Post Office. Open: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9.30am to 5pm. Come and talk to our friendly team. You can walk in for a check or book an appointment. Head to https://rva.org.uk/free-nhs-health-checks/ to book an appointment and for more information.
BeYou LGBTQ+ service returns to Reading
15 January 2026
Thames Valley Positive Support (TVPS), who took over the management of the BeYou LGBTQIA+ service in 2015, are bringing BeYou back to the town where it all began. BeYou in Reading will offer a range of LGBTQ+ services including inclusive one to one and group peer support, regular group social sessions in a safe space and ...
Your adventure awaits – Make a difference with PACT!
15 January 2026
You may not have kept all your New Year’s resolutions, but there’s still time to make a big impact in 2026! This year, why not take on an exciting challenge and help transform lives by fundraising for charity Parents And Children Together (PACT)? There’s never been a better time to do something extraordinary. Whether it’s a ...