Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 1000+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
Listen to Chandra’s interview on BBC Radio Berkshire
9 September 2025
Chandra Budhathoki of the The Forgotten British Gurkha is a finalist in this year’s BBC Make a Difference Awards! Listen to Chandra chat to Rena Annobil about his volunteer work and what it means to be nominated for the Volunteer Award. Click on this link to listen. (Chandra’s interview starts around 31.42 and finishes around 50.15). Congratulations Chandra!
RBC and VCS Compact/Partnership Review Workshop
4 September 2025
Effective partnership work between Reading Borough Council and the voluntary sector in Reading is vital to achieving positive outcomes for the people of Reading. Join us to discuss how your organisation works in partnership with RBC and how this could be developed. Share your experience of what’s working well or not so well and ideas for ...
RBC VIN – Voluntary Sector Intelligence Network
4 September 2025
The Voluntary Sector Information Network (VIN) is an information and sharing meeting that takes place online on the second Wednesday of each month at 4–5pm. The monthly meetings provide an opportunity for the voluntary sector to speak with RBC colleagues on current issues and future plans. The next VIN meeting on Wed 10 Sept will include: What does ...
Project Linus fundraising and sewing day
3 September 2025
Please drop in to support this fundraising and sewing day for Project Linus! On the day: Speak to Project Linus volunteers about the quilts they are making for children ‘in need of a hug’. Sales table – some good fabric bargains to be had. Raffle with great prizes. Quilts on display. Enjoy refreshments at the CResCent Café. Please note: this event ...
Know Your Numbers! Week – Blood Pressure UK
3 September 2025
Know Your Numbers! Week will take place from 8–14 September 2025. This campaign, run by Blood Pressure UK, is the UK’s biggest blood pressure testing and awareness event. Around a third of people in the UK have high blood pressure, but most don’t know it. It doesn’t have any symptoms so the only way to find out ...
Inspire the Next Generation with HPE STEM Outreach
1 September 2025At Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), we’re committed to helping young people build confidence, develop skills and explore the world of technology and business through a variety of fun and meaningful outreach events. Our sessions are tailored for students aged 8 to 18, with activities that introduce them to the workplace, build employability skills, and show the ...
Berkshire Adult Autism Support Service workshops this autumn
28 August 2025
The Berkshire Adult Autism Support Service has a busy programme of free workshops for autistic adults and their parents and other family carers this autumn. The workshops offer information about aspects of autism and tips and strategies to help participants to navigate daily life and social situations, improve their understanding of autism and increase their self-confidence. They ...
Home-Start Reading is recruiting new home-visiting volunteers
28 August 2025
If you’re an empathetic person who enjoys spending time with children and could spare 2–3 hours a week, your support could make all the difference. We’ll make sure you’re ready through online training backed up by in-person sessions starting on 30 September. If this sounds like the rewarding new challenge you’ve been waiting for, please call Julie ...
Mentor a fatherless boy
21 August 2025
A Reading-based charity called Chapter2, which provides male mentors for fatherless boys, is hosting a mentor training day for anyone interested in mentoring a fatherless boy in the local area. A training day will take place on 20 September 2025 at Reading Family Church from 9am to 4:30pm. Attending the training day does not obligate you ...
Reading’s annual canvass is underway
20 August 2025
The annual canvass is a key process carried out by the council each year to ensure residents do not miss out on being able to vote. Residents are asked to look out for and respond to emails from the council. Find out more Read more on the Reading Borough Council website. Download a poster. Download a flyer about postal ...
Opening day for Reading Bike Hub
20 August 2025
Join them to celebrate the launch of a new community space dedicated to making cycling inclusive, accessible and welcoming for all! When? Sunday 7 Sept 2025, 11:00–16:00 Where? 14–16A Kings Street Reading RG1 2HE (next to Lincoln Coffee House) Reading Bike Hub will be offering a range of services including: Try before you buy – bike library Affordable bike repairs Refurbished ...
Help BOB VCSE Health Alliance shape priorities for the year ahead
20 August 2025
The BOB VCSE Health Alliance Member Survey is open And they are aiming for at least 100 responses before it closes on Monday 8 September. This is your opportunity to continue to influence how the NHS and the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector work together across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (BOB). Your insights will directly shape ...
New community equipment provider
20 August 2025
Community equipment and technology enabled care (TEC) is an essential service supporting Reading residents to remain safe and well at home. This includes essential items such as mobility aids, hoists, hospital beds and equipment that helps people live independently at home and supports safe hospital discharge. From August 2025, Reading Borough Council is working with a ...
In depth level – Charity Financial Governance for trustees and managers – Oct session via Zoom
14 August 2025
RVA is pleased to introduce this NEW training for charity trustees/ committee members and managers. This training has been gratefully funded by Berkshire Community Foundation, which means we can offer FREE of charge spaces to local groups. We will be repeating this training in early 2026. This is our in-depth level training. We also have an ...
Sign up to become a Community Health Champion in Reading
13 August 2025
Interested in supporting your local community with evidence-based health and wellbeing information? Want to learn how to talk to people in your community about health and wellbeing? Fancy connecting with others across Reading? Community Health Champions are people who live, work and visit Reading and have an interest in the health and wellbeing of their community. ...
Rest & Regulate – Mental Health and Wellbeing Event
8 August 2025
Join Amy-Lou for this FREE restorative event designed specifically for charity leaders and small business owners. Amy-Lou understands first-hand how overwhelming burnout can become. Having ran her own small business for over five years and previously led a charity, she knows how stress can take over your every thought and leave you feeling completely depleted. This event ...
The Almanac book launch – 14 August 2025
30 July 2025
Book launch of The Almanac: a collective offering of wisdom, reflection, and possibility Join us in celebrating the launch of The Almanac, a living, breathing thread woven from experience, generosity, and shared insight. Born from countless conversations, projects, and hands-on learning in the fields of creative arts, health, and social care, this book is a guide ...
BCF Vital for Berkshire – deadline 14 August 2025
22 July 2025The BCF Vital for Berkshire fund aims to support charities, community groups and projects that work to tackle the most salient and pressing issues within Berkshire’s communities. Who is eligible to apply? To be eligible to apply for a grant, charities, community groups or voluntary organisations must be improving the lives of disadvantaged people in Berkshire and ...
Volunteering advice drop-in sessions at Reading Biscuit Factory
18 July 2025
The RVA Volunteering Advice service will continue to run drop-in sessions at Reading Biscuit Factory in 2026 The sessions will provide an opportunity to speak with a member of our team about volunteering and help you identify roles that align with your interests and motivations. The sessions will run 11 am – 2:00 pm on the following ...
‘Deelore’ – an invitation
17 July 2025
‘Deelore’ In the heart of Dee Park Estate, a new generation is crafting its own myths and legends. Inspired by stories from other cultures and generations, the young citizens of Dee Park are now ready to tell their own – rich with imagination, rooted in their lives. The Creative Kitchen is where this magic begins. Led by artist Lisa-Marie ...