Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 1000+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
Seeking volunteers in the Tilehurst area? Join us at our Community Volunteer Fair
25 April 2023
Reading Voluntary Action will be hosting a Community Volunteer Fair at Meadway Sports Centre on Thursday 25 May 10am-2:30pm. The event is part of a pilot running small-scale volunteer fairs within community venues. We are inviting organisations who are seeking volunteers to support activities in and around the Tilehurst area to join us on the day. If ...
Safeguarding Against Violent Extremism (SAVE) Training – various dates and times 24-27 April
18 April 2023This is a 2 hour online training to identify, prevent and challenge online extremism in all forms. This training is aimed at staff and volunteers in voluntary and community organisations. The training will deepen knowledge on violence, extremism and exploitation, focussing on practical tools and building confidence in a safe space using interactive and engaging content. Learning ...
Asda Foundation Grants for communities and cost of living – imminent deadline 21 April 2023
18 April 2023
The Asda Foundation has three grants for local communities that are currently open for applications. The deadline is imminent on 21 April so we would encourage you to apply asap if you are interested. The grants are: Empowering Local Communities Grant Under 18’s Better Start Grants Cost of Living Grant The full guidance is linked above. If you would like advice ...
What trustees need to know: changes introduced by the Charities Act 2022
18 April 2023
All charities and community groups are governed by charity law. The Charities Act 2022 was passed in February last year and has amended the previous Charities Act 2011. The amendments have been rolled out gradually. A number of changes came into force in October 2022 and there are forthcoming changes this Spring. The changes coming into ...
Voter ID Needed at Polling Stations in May Elections – Partner Support Resources Available
13 April 2023
The UK Government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station at some elections. This new requirement will apply for the first time at the local elections taking place in some areas of England on Thursday 4 May 2023. The Electoral Commission has created a wide range of resources ...
PBE’s Data First Aid Programme – Available to help now!
12 April 2023
Are you struggling to make your volunteer spreadsheet do what you want it to? Do you know you have great data but not sure how to make it visually appealing or tell the right story for your supporters or your board? Need an expert to compare your data to other sources, or analyse a survey ...
Participatory Action Research (PAR) Training, 4 May 2023
11 April 2023
Participatory Action Research training by the University of Reading, the Local Community and its partners. This is a face-to-face training working together with local organisations in Reading on how to conduct participatory Action Research in a meaningful way creating social change to the issues that matter to the community collaboratively. In the training we will learn: What is ...
Racial equity grants – Deadline on 31 May 2023
11 April 2023
LLOYDS BANK FOUNDATION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES – RACIAL EQUITY GRANTS. This programme is for registered charities and community interest companies (CICs) working with people experiencing inequity because of their race or ethnicity. Your organisation will be led by the communities you serve and alongside providing immediate crisis support, you will work with people over the ...
Lyndhurst Road Community Centre Opening Events
6 April 2023
Walk-in opening events for the newly built Lyndhurst Road Community Centre in Kentwood are being held on the 27th April (10-12pm), 10th May (1-3.30pm) and 11th May (5.30-8pm). The opening events are an opportunity for anyone who is interested to visit and view the facilities available, to ask any questions, to make any bookings or look at ...
Mental Health Needs Assessment 2023 – Surveys **Deadline Extended**
6 April 2023Reading is conducting a Needs Assessment to further understand mental health across the borough, capturing the challenges and strengths of the system. This Needs Assessment is part of the work happening linked to the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy and will go on to inform the commissioning of services and shape mental health support available ...
The Weavers’ Company Benevolent Fund: Grants for disadvantaged young people – next deadline on 16 November 2023
6 April 2023
The Weavers’ Company Benevolent Fund was set up in 1973. The Fund’s principal aim is to support people in trouble, particularly young offenders and ex-offenders, as well as other disadvantaged young people. Preference is given to pump-priming new projects, especially those that are innovative and can serve as a model elsewhere. Projects which fulfill the funding ...
Seasonal Covid-19 boosters available for certain groups from April 2023
4 April 2023Seasonal/Spring boosters are available for certain groups starting in April 2023. Those eligible will be able to book their appointments from the 5th April with boosters being administered from 17th April to 30th June 2023. First and Second doses of the vaccine will continue to be available until 30th June 2023. Eligible groups for Booster dose: Adults ...
Treasurer Training 14 June 2023
4 April 2023
Are you new to being a treasurer of a charity or community group in Reading, or considering taking on the role? If so, this training is for you. Aims of the workshop To build an understanding of the role of a treasurer in a small voluntary organisation To ensure the ability to deal with the specifics ...
Welcome to Reading Coffee Morning in Reading Central Library
3 April 2023
If you are new to Reading, come and join us at our Welcome to Reading Coffee Morning at Reading Central Library. It is a great chance to meet other residents and find out more about living in Reading. If you have lived in Reading for a while and want to share your local knowledge or make ...
Issues with HMRC online gift aid portal
30 March 2023
HMRC is aware that some charities are having difficulty accessing their online portal for submitting Gift Aid claims. If your charity is in this position and the time limit for making your claim is 31 March, HMRC has asked you to get in touch, using the link below, to explain that there is a claim ...
Berkshire Youth Appoints New Chair of Trustees
29 March 2023Berkshire Youth is delighted to announce that Sarah Atkinson has been appointed as the new Chair of Trustees, with immediate effect. Said Roger Smee, MBE, and long-standing President of Berkshire Youth: “Sarah, who joined our board in 2019, brings a wealth of experience to the charity through her 20+ years in industry and non-executive board roles. ...
Mental Health Awareness, 25 April – 1 Free place
29 March 2023This training session is hosted by REDA and there is one free place for someone from a charity or community group to attend. The training is Mental Health in the Workplace Level 2 (VTQ qualification) The course covers: What Legislation applies to Mental Health UK? What are The Management Standards? The Six Stressor Areas in the Workplace Employers Duty of Care Obligations ...
Mental Health Awareness, 11 April – 1 Free place
29 March 2023This training session is hosted by REDA and there is one free place for someone from a charity or community group to attend. The training is Mental Health in the Workplace Level 2 (VTQ qualification) The course covers: What Legislation applies to Mental Health UK? What are The Management Standards? The Six Stressor Areas in the Workplace Employers Duty of Care Obligations ...
Emergency First Aid at Work, 13 April – 1 Free place
29 March 2023This training session is hosted by REDA and there is one free place for someone from a charity or community group to attend. The training is at level 3 (6 hour) VTQ qualification. The certificate will be valid for 3 years. An overview of the course includes; Scene Management Management of the unconscious casualty Management of a heart Attack CPR ( ...
Small Groups Learn and Share Network, 4 July – funding your group
28 March 2023
Are you a small community group based in Reading and mainly volunteer run? If yes, this network is for you. It is an opportunity for you to learn, share and grow stronger together with other similar groups and access support from Reading Voluntary Action and partners. The topic for this session will be finding the money to ...