Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 1000+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
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 2026
Are 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 ...
Put your unwanted gifts and stock to good use!
15 January 2026
Reading charity Parents And Children Together (PACT) is calling on individuals and businesses local to their head office to donate unwanted gifts and surplus stock that might otherwise be tucked away in cupboards or storerooms. The charity is looking for donated items that are unused or in very good condition to support their work. These might ...
Nominate your university volunteers of the year
15 January 2026
Members of the community across Reading and beyond are invited to nominate students, staff and alumni and supporters in the University of Reading’s annual Celebration of Volunteering Awards, which include a new category for this year. The Celebration of Volunteering Awards brings together staff, students, alumni and community partners to award, showcase and celebrate those who ...
Royal Berkshire Fire Authority’s Budget Consultation 2026/27
15 January 2026
Royal Berkshire Fire Authority (RBFA) is consulting Royal Berkshire residents and staff on Council Tax funding for the next financial year until 9am on Monday, 2 February. RBFA is committed to delivering value for money across the services provided to local residents. However, due to significant budgetary pressure as outlined in this letter, to maintain the current level ...
Consultation on priorities for the allocation of the neighbourhood portion of the Community Infrastructure Levy
7 January 2026
Reading Borough Council – Consultation on priorities for the allocation of the neighbourhood portion of the Community Infrastructure Levy RBC collects money for infrastructure from new developments through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). This is a charge based on the floorspace of new developments. Under the CIL regulations, the Council needs to put 15% of the collected ...
RBC’s budget engagement 2026–27: have your say
19 December 2025Every year Reading Borough Council (RBC) must set a budget that balances spending on services with the money we have. We want to hear your views on how we should prioritise resources and set Council Tax levels for next year. To take part, please click on this link between by 17 January 2026: https://reading.govocal.com/en-GB/projects/budget-engagement-2026-27 You may need to log ...
Season’s Greetings from RVA
18 December 2025
Dear friends, supporters, partners, and Reading’s amazing Voluntary and Community Sector! We are reflecting on another super busy year. This year included, among many other things, our well-attended Volunteer Fair in June, and some lively and creative Befriending Forums in June and September. In the summer we moved to our fabulous new home, RISC, after over 10 years at Reading ...
New report from NAVCA on connecting communities and enabling common ground
18 December 2025
NAVCA’s new report, Connecting communities, enabling common ground, explores the role of Local Infrastructure Organisations (LIOs) and the wider voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in building connections and countering hate. NAVCA writes: Across England, many communities are feeling the effects of disconnection and isolation. Economic insecurity, the loss of shared spaces, polarisation online, and ongoing ...
Free NHS Health Checks at Broad Street Mall in 2026
18 December 2025
After successfully carrying out hundreds of health checks at Reading Central Library, the Community Wellness Outreach project is moving to a new central location in Broad Street Mall. From 6 January 2026, health checks will be available on the first floor of Broad Street Mall on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30am to 5pm. Bookings are now open ...
Dying Well initiative – the role of family, friends and carers
17 December 2025
You are invited to join a collaborative Dying Well initiative led by Reading Borough Council and BOB Integrated Care Board. The topic is Support Networks: The Role of Family, Friends and Carers. We have three speakers who will be leading the discussion with a view to creating a resident’s Charter for Dying Well in the ...
National Lottery Funding 1:1 sessions for Small Groups
12 December 2025
As a follow on from their presentation on the same day (see here), the National Lottery Funding Officer will also be offering one-to-one sessions with small or new groups who would like to discuss their ideas for funding. The sessions will be 20 minutes long on the following times: Session 1: 12:00-12:20 Session 2: 12:20-12:40 Session 3: 13:10-13:30 Session 4: ...
National Lottery Funding Event for Small Groups and Small Groups’ Forum
10 December 2025We are pleased to announce that the National Lottery Community Fund will be joining us on 3 February to help small groups to explore the funding options currently available from The National Lottery Community Fund together with some top tips for smaller or newer groups to think about when completing applications. Join us for any or ...
Research volunteers needed for a new study at the University of Reading
10 December 2025Researchers at the University of Reading are looking for volunteers for an exciting paid research opportunity exploring the effects of a nutrient-enriched breakfast cereal on cognitive function throughout the day. In particular, researchers are looking for individuals aged 65 – 80 who are generally healthy, with no food allergies, and who are able to attend 5 ...
CharityComms 2025 Salary and Organisational Culture survey
4 December 2025
The CharityComms Salary and Organisational Culture Survey benchmarks salaries and how comms and marketing is valued within the sector, across strategy, leadership and the impact it’s making. Share your views by 31 January 2026 and help us advocate for what charity communicators need to be more effective and feel more valued in their roles. It takes no ...
Free PICT training for VCS staff and volunteers
2 December 2025
BHFT’s Psychologically Informed Consultation and Training (PICT) Team is offering free places on their training programme to any VCS staff or volunteer active in Berkshire. Our specialist team have expertise in working with people who have complex emotional needs which may be associated with a diagnosis of Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD), also known as Borderline ...