Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 1000+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
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 ...
Volunteer for Sport in Mind at Reading Festival and receive a free weekend wristband
17 July 2025
We are at Reading Festival again this year, and we are going even bigger! We have an AIRHUB onsite, hosting football matches for festival goers and an onsite run club. We are looking for volunteers to help run all of these activities, below are the volunteer role descriptions and commitments needed in order to receive your ...
Join the National Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme as a Core20PLUS Ambassador
14 July 2025
What is the Core20PLUS Ambassadors programme? The Core20PLUS Ambassadors programme is part of the National Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme, working to reduce healthcare inequalities across the NHS. The programme focuses on ‘Core20PLUS’ populations which are more likely to experience healthcare inequalities, including people living in areas of high deprivation, ethnic minority communities and inclusion health groups. The programme is designed ...
Goodbye Library, hello RISC!
10 July 2025
Many of you know that RVA is moving this month due to the planned relocation of Central Library The library has been home to RVA for 10 years and we have hosted countless events, training sessions, appointments and health check sessions there. We are now excited to be moving to offices at RISC and you can ...
RVA is moving – free furniture and office equipment available
10 July 2025Reading Voluntary Action is moving to new offices at RISC, 35-39 London Street, RG1 4PS. There’s more information about our new location here. As part of the move we are offering furniture, office equipment and stationery free to charities and community groups in Reading. All items are available for collection from the 3rd floor of Reading ...
Reading Integration Board (RIB) Better Care Fund – short deadline 23 July 2025
9 July 2025Reading Integration Board (RIB) is now inviting applications for (2025/26 funding) for projects and at the heart of our communities, which prevent the impact of physical and mental illness for adults. The awards from the Fund can reach up to £15,000, and more in some circumstances. Who is eligible to apply? The grants are aimed at all ...
Entry level – Understanding Charity Finances for trustees and managers – Nov session via Zoom
8 July 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 later in the year. This is our entry level training. We also have ...
James Cowper Kreston Foundation (regional funder) – deadline 18 July 2025
27 June 2025
The James Cowper Kreston Foundation is a charitable organisation incorporated in 2021 and has been set up to help support local charities achieve their goals. Whilst majority of the funds come from donations from James Cowper LLP Partners, the Foundation will also be running several fundraising activities through the firm. The Foundation will provide financial help ...
SNG Thriving Communities Fund – long deadline: submit anytime before 30 January 2026
27 June 2025SNG offers place-based grants that empower local groups to take action and deliver cohesive, sustainable and resilient communities which people are proud to be part of. Who is eligible to apply? Projects must be taking place in an SNG community and be actively promoted to SNG customers. This covers areas in Reading but you can contact Darryl ...
Congratulations to Citizen’s Advice Reading – Safe and Sound Award renewed!
26 June 2025
We’re pleased to share that Citizen’s Advice Reading (CAR) have recently reviewed their Safe and Sound Good Governance Award and successfully attained a certificate for a further three years! Well done to the whole team. In this article we took the opportunity to interview Tina Stevenson (CEO) and Ian Curtis-Nye (Chair of Trustees) on their ...
Reading Festival Salvage – applications now open
25 June 2025
Reading Festival Salvage is a chance to salvage useful, nearly-new goods for free, to give to your charity’s clients or sell to raise funds Your charity or not-for-profit group can apply to be permitted to salvage on (usually) at least the Monday or Tuesday after Reading Festival. The image in this article is an aerial view of ...
Volunteer Fair 2025 Review
25 June 2025
On Saturday, 14 June, Reading Voluntary Action hosted a Volunteer Fair at the Reading Biscuit Factory. A range of organisations came together to promote their opportunities and meet prospective volunteers. The event was attended by approximately 160 members of the public, and there was a lot of interest in the opportunities available. We would like to thank ...
Community Buildings Forum – October 2025
17 June 2025
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 21 October 2025, 10am -12noon. (Registration and refreshments ...
Entry level – Understanding Charity Finances for trustees and managers – Sep session via Zoom
17 June 2025RVA 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 later in the year. This is our entry level training – we also ...
Small Groups’ Forum September 2025 – monitoring workshop from funder BCF, networking and more
12 June 2025
Are you are small community group in Reading? Come along to our next Small Groups’ Forum on Tuesday 23 September 2025, 10am – 12noon to hear about support, funding and networking for smaller groups like yours. The session is informal, friendly and catered specifically for smaller groups as we know the challenges and support you ...
BiomeBakery Calling for participants aged 60-75 years old!
12 June 2025Are you interested in knowing whether a prebiotic fibre enriched bread roll can improve your memory and mood? Take part in the BiomeBakery study, please go to: https://research.reading.ac.uk/cinn/biomebakery/ To participate, you have to: Be healthy Aged 60-75 years Not smoke Not be vegan/vegetarian Not suffer from food allergies The study will involve: Completing telephone surveys Consuming a bread roll for 12 weeks Undertaking cognitive, mood and ...