Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 1000+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
Seeking to understand – watch the video from the Trauma-Informed Reading Conference
28 January 2021
The Trauma-Informed Reading Conference took place between 30 November and 7 December 2020, reaching 142 professionals across workshops, Q&A sessions and other learning and sharing opportunities. Free professional development materials from the conference, including the video below, will be added to the trauma-informed working page of the One Reading Children and Young People’s Partnership resources. Seeking to ...
Snow day at the vaccine hub
27 January 2021
The snow on Sunday 23 January presented challenging conditions for the Reading Central and Whitley Vaccination Hub. Volunteers from the charity Re:Act were on standby to help, through the VCS Emergencies Partnership, but weren’t needed in the end. With grit, brooms and spades, RVA volunteers were able to keep the area clear and run the ...
Updated guidance on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – furlough and caring responsibilities
27 January 2021
HMRC has updated its guidance on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) to confirm that employees may be furloughed if they are unable to work or are working reduced hours because of caring responsibilities which have arisen as a result of covid-19. The amended guidance states that caring responsibilities include caring for: children who are at home ...
Peace of Mind Matters project – Citizens Advice Reading
26 January 2021
The Peace of Mind Matters project at Citizens Advice is a new service which can help support with advice and guidance after the death of a loved one. It can advise on practicalities such as: who can make arrangements after a death who to inform after a death information on what happens after someone dies information on organ donation obtaining ...
New Directions College – your partner in your learning journey
22 January 2021
Lockdown doesn’t mean you have to put your dreams on hold. You can continue to learn new skills with our fantastic range of online courses. We also have a range of free courses to improve your employment prospects. New Directions College can help kickstart your learning journey through a range of courses in English, Maths, ESOL, ...
Women’s Voices 2021 – apply for place at Media Trust event by 9am on 25 January
21 January 2021
If your charity supports women, girls or those who identify as female, and is looking to reach new audiences, develop a campaign or raise awareness about your cause, then Media Trust invite you to apply for a place at Women’s Voices 2021, in celebration of International Women’s Day. Join them virtually on Monday 8 March 2021 ...
Community Participatory Action Research – apply for funded training
21 January 2021
Applications are open until 12 noon on 16 February 2021 Health Education England South East and Public Health England South East are offering a programme of training and mentoring to develop community-based researchers. The programme will involve training up community researchers to undertake a piece of work to understand the issues and inequalities impacting black and ...
Start your own business workshops by The Real Business Club
20 January 2021
We know that some people have lost or are going to loose jobs. Some are going to be on reduced hours. These workshops would help anyone considering what it would mean to start a full time or part time business. They are suitable for people who may be thinking about: working for themselves – being self ...
Free coaching offer for Reading’s trustees and managers
20 January 2021
Are you a charity trustee or manager? We know Covid has thrown up many challenges for those running charities. Coaching is an opportunity to explore your own blocks to help you achieve the best for your charity at this time. We are pleased to say we have partnered with Coaching Reading to offer free Coaching ...
No5 Young People celebrates fifty years and seeks your stories
18 January 2021
No5 opened its doors to children and young people on 18 January 1971 at 5 Sackville Street in Reading There have been many changes over the years to their mental health services, training and counselling, but local young people’s voices remain at the heart of everything they do. Their vision of a world that doesn’t stigmatise ...
Berkshire Youth Hubs – virtual and telephone-based support platform
18 January 2021
After a successful pilot across West Berkshire, and responding to best meet the needs of the local community, Berkshire Youth are delighted to announce the next evolution of the West Berkshire Youth Hub. Their award-winning hub has now been extended across the whole of Berkshire. They hope that the renamed ‘Berkshire Youth Hubs’ will prove ...
Formal bidding process now open for Cemetery Arch long leasehold disposal – until 19 March 2021
13 January 2021
The formal bidding process through the open market and also through the third sector process has now commenced for the Cemetery Arch building. Local voluntary organisations are invited to submit their proposals by 12 noon on 19 March 2021. The application process Applications and accompanying documents should be sent to: Committee Administration, Reading Borough Council, Civic Offices, ...
Winter mental health support for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic and Refugee communities
12 January 2021
Seven voluntary and community organisations are to share a £20,000 NHS England grant aimed at supporting the mental health of people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic and Refugee communities (BAMER) over the winter. Berkshire West CCG secured the funding and has worked closely with key partners to devise the best ways of allocating the money. ...
Charity Commission updates: holding trustee meetings and AGMs
11 January 2021
The Charity Commission has updated its guidance for charities as a result of lockdown 3 as follows: Trustees should hold their trustee meetings online or via telephone, where possible during lockdown. AGMs can continue to be held online (the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 has been extended until 30 March 2020). For more details on how to ...
Blog: journey to better equality, diversity and inclusion in your organisation
6 January 2021
Lots of us want to do better when it comes to diversity, equality and inclusion in our sector. Why? We know this is an area that can improve in the third sector and with global events and the pandemic further highlighting long-standing inequalities in 2020, the time for action is now. At Reading Voluntary Action ...
Funding: practical tips and step-by-step guides from NCVO
6 January 2021
NCVO have just launched their new funding guidance section on their website which is ideal for smaller community groups and charities looking for step-by-step guides on raising money for their activities. The guidance includes the following sections: Funding and income planning, with a really useful planner you can download. All about grants: from getting ready to apply ...
Warning about Covid-19 text message scams
6 January 2021
There have been reports of a new scam where a person receives a text saying they need to book a vaccination appointment and it takes them to a fake NHS form which then asks for their bank details to prove their identity. The NHS will never ask for banking information. The scam has been reported ...
National lockdown January 2021: what charities need to know
6 January 2021This article was updated on 14 January to include: NCVO updated Coronavirus Guidance which gives specific guidance and resources on involving volunteers and supporting beneficiaries in the lockdown (see section on risk assessments below) Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on 4 January 2021 of the third national lockdown, we have gathered some guidance and resources for ...
Henry Smith Charity – Improving Lives grant programme
4 January 2021
The Improving Lives grant programme provides grants to charitable organisations that help people when other sources of support have failed, are inappropriate, or are simply not available. They support established organisations delivering services directly to beneficiaries. They are looking for services which can demonstrate a track record of success, and evidence the effectiveness of the work. Grants ...
B&Q community re-use scheme
4 January 2021
DIY stores B&Q operate a community re-use scheme through all its branches in the UK. The scheme donates unsellable products and materials for re-use by local schools, other educational institutions and community groups, for the benefit of the community and the environment. The types of material includes: Wood, including off cuts and single use pallets Plastic plant ...