Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 900+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
Safeguarding: where to start?
12 September 2016We’re all very proud of our vibrant and active voluntary sector in Reading, and rightly so. To ensure this continues, it is important that those we serve, our staff and our volunteers are all kept safe. Safeguarding is about protecting everyone from harm, abuse or neglect and voluntary sector organisations have a responsibility to ensure that ...
Have Your Say – The NHS Berkshire Health Network
12 September 2016Do you want to get involved in local health issues? The Berkshire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) use an on-line public and patient forum, the Berkshire Health Network, to help run their consultations and surveys and to send emails regarding health news and local health meetings that you may wish to attend. This month there are updates on: Getting ...
Supporting people to live the lives they want
7 September 2016The Living Well project is funded by the North & West Reading Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and delivered by Age UK Berkshire. The service aims to support those over the age of 60, and who have long term health conditions, to address health and social care needs so they can maintain a happier and healthier ...
Reading Mencap team take on unique challenge event
7 September 2016A team of Reading Mencap service users took part in the world’s first disability-led mass participation run on Sunday 4th September. The event, called Parallel London, was held in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the venue for the 2012 Olympics. Linda Lethbridge (61), Stacey Smith (26), Kate Apps (43), David Williams (51) and Jamie Shillingford (44) ...
Women’s Sport Week: 3 – 9 October 20116
7 September 2016During Women’s Sport Week 2016 there will be a whole host of opportunities across the county that are suitable for women of all shapes, sizes, ages, abilities and backgrounds. In Berkshire, check out the top activities to try during Women’s Sport Week at www.getberkshireactive.org. Activities include: Belly Dancing, Hockey, Paddling, Netball, Just Jhoom, Squash and Cycling….to ...
Stop Loan Sharks! Community Funding 2016 – 2017
7 September 2016The England Illegal Money Lending Team has funding available for groups that want to raise awareness around the issue of illegal money lending. The money available has come from the proceeds of crime awards taken from convicted illegal money lenders. Illegal money lenders, more commonly known as loan sharks, lend money without having the correct permissions ...
Survey of the children’s workforce – closing date 17 September 2016
7 September 2016Do you work in the children’s workforce? If so, the Future Mind partnership – responsible for promoting, protecting and improving our children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing – would like to hear your views. Over the next 4 years, they plan to offer a workforce development programme. Help them to define that programme of ...
Display your data more creatively
6 September 2016If you’re looking for creative ways to communicate your data to stakeholders and funders, then a free online tool called Piktochart could be the answer. Piktochart allows anyone to create infographics, posters and presentations. You can use a variety of templates or start from scratch to create your own look. The social housing company A2Dominion ...
New Advice Worker and Upcoming Training
6 September 2016Greetings! Well into my second week in post, I’d like to introduce myself as the new Advice Worker here at Reading Voluntary Action. Many of you will have known my predecessor, Andy Robarts, and I’m very happy to step into his shoes and join the RVA family. A little about me: I have worked within the Voluntary Sector for ...
Police Property Act Fund open for applications
2 September 2016
Can you help reduce re-offending and prevent cyber-crime? You may be interested in the new grant round of the Police Property Act Fund. The Fund, jointly managed by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and the Chief Constable, is created from money recovered by the police and the proceeds from the sale of items that cannot ...
Partnership Development Fund open for applications
1 September 2016
The Berkshire West Clinical Commissioning Groups are now inviting applications to the Partnership Development Fund for 17/18. The closing date is Friday October 14th 2016 at 5pm Eligibility: registered charities, voluntary and community groups, local self-help support groups, community enterprises and community interest companies. Groups wishing to deliver a project in collaboration can submit a joint application, ...
Adult Social Care Courses in September and October 2016
31 August 2016Reading Borough Council currently has good availability on adult social care courses in September and October 2016. These courses are open to Reading-based voluntary and community organisations. For full course information including course times, and to book a place, please visit RBC’s website: www.reading.gov.uk/training
Partners join forces to deliver support for autistic adults in Reading
31 August 2016Most autistic adults are not formally diagnosed. Autism Berkshire is working in partnership with AutAngel, an organisation run by and for autistic people, to deliver innovative support for autistic adults living in Reading. We are offering a 10-week programme for people who either have a diagnosis of autism, identify themselves as autistic or simply wonder whether ...
Certificate in Counselling Skills Course
31 August 2016The Philippi Trust is offering training for people who want to take the first step towards training as a counsellor. The Certificate in Counselling Skills Level 2 (CSK-L2) is a 92-hour course which will be held over 12 Saturdays between October 2016 and May 2017 (subject to a minimum number of students enrolling). The training is suitable ...
Supporting people to employ a Personal Assistant for their care
31 August 2016When people choose a direct payment for their care and support, they often employ a Personal Assistant (PA) to provide their care and support. We are interested in talking to organisations about the support needed by people to employ a PA. We will talk about the different types of support people require when they employ a ...
Partnership Development Fund opens 1 September
31 August 2016On 1 September, the Berkshire West Clinical Commissioning Groups will be launching their Partnership Development Fund for 2017/18 for the voluntary and community sector. Watch out for full details on the Reading Voluntary Action website tomorrow!
Want to hear about your local NHS? – North and West Reading CCG Annual Meeting
26 August 2016North and West Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is holding it’s next Governing Body meeting in public on Tuesday 20th September and you are welcome to attend. Following the Governing Body meeting the CCG will hold their Annual Meeting. Timings below Governing Body 12.45 – 15.00 Annual Meeting 15.15 – 16.45 Further details ( the board papers will be published ...
Want to hear about your local NHS? – South Reading CCG
26 August 2016South Reading Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is holding it’s next Governing Body meeting in public on Wednesday 7th September and you are welcome to attend. Following the Governing Body meeting the CCG will hold their Annual Meeting. Timings below 09:30 – 11:45: Governing Body Meeting in public 12:00 – 13:30: Annual Meeting Further details ( the board papers will ...
Bags of Help now permanently open for applications
25 August 2016The Tesco Bags of Help grant scheme is now permanently open for applications from community groups! Tesco customers will now have more of a say on where their money goes. Bags of Help will now see the money raised by the 5p bag charge in Tesco stores in England, Wales and Scotland opened up to a ...
Ready Friends: round-up of news and opportunities
24 August 2016Report into loneliness and social isolation Throughout March and April, 437 people filled out a questionnaire so we could understand more about loneliness and social isolation in Reading. The report will help to inform local organisations how they can respond to these issues. The survey has highlighted who is most likely to be experiencing loneliness and social isolation, ...