Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 1000+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
Free online DBS workshops from the DBS Service
27 October 2025
This Autumn, the DBS Service are offering free online DBS workshops on various themes, such as: Update service masterclass Eligibility and disclosure The legal ‘duty to refer’ Information gathering Harmful behaviours outside of the workplace Barring referral service Making a quality referral For further information and to book, see our training from partners page here. Or if you have any questions, contact advice@rva.org.uk, for ...
Project Linus fundraising and sewing day 2025
24 October 2025
A very successful event was held on 16 October 2025 to raise awareness, sew some patchwork quilts, raise funds and have fun for Project Linus Berkshire. Over 100 people came along and could see the love and care that goes into making these quilts. Quilts are made for children and young people aged 0–19 who are ...
Review of the Reading and West Berkshire Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA)
24 October 2025
The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) is currently being reviewed to make sure it continues to meet the needs of local partners, stakeholders, and communities. The JSNA is a local resource that brings together data and evidence about the health and wellbeing of people living in Reading and West Berkshire, supporting decision-making, planning, and setting ...
RVA receives NAVCA Local Infrastructure Quality Accreditation
24 October 2025
We are delighted to announce that Reading Voluntary Action (RVA) has recently been awarded Local Infrastructure Quality Accreditation (LIQA) from NAVCA. The accreditation demonstrates the quality of our offer and our impact in supporting the voluntary and community sector across Reading. Accreditation is awarded for three years, and is provided following independent assessment of a portfolio ...
Befriending Week 2025 1-7 November
21 October 2025
Celebrate the power of social connection this Befriending Week This November, we’re supporting Befriending Week, an annual campaign to raise awareness about befriending and highlight the power of social connection in reducing loneliness and social isolation. Loneliness affects 1 in 6 people across the world. Befriending brings people together for planned social activities, building meaningful connections and ...
BCF Surviving Winter Fund for organisational energy bills – Deadline 30 Oct 2025
16 October 2025
Introduction – overview of the funding With the cost of living crisis continuing to put pressure on charities, BCF recognise that organisations need more support than ever to manage rising costs and keep vital services running through the colder months. Who is eligible to apply? To be eligible to apply for a grant, your charity, community group or ...
Common Ground Resilience Fund – Capital Funding – deadline 21 Nov 2025
16 October 2025
Introduction – overview of the funding The UK government’s Common Ground Award will invest capital funding into VCSE sector organisations that are bringing people together from different backgrounds, supporting the cost of constructing or renovating facilities, or the purchasing of equipment to deliver services. Grants are available of £10K and possibly up to £50K in exceptional cases. ...
National Lottery Awards for All – Environment Fund – rolling funding
7 October 2025
Introduction – overview of the funding The climate and nature emergency affects us all, but local action can make a real difference. They fund community-led projects that improve the environment and help people connect with and enjoy nature where they live. Who is eligible to apply? You can apply if your organisation is a: constituted voluntary or community organisation constituted ...
SNG Winter Wishes funding – deadline 29 Oct 2025
2 October 2025
The SNG Winter Wishes Fund provides grants of up to £1,000 to help support communities over the festive period. For many, Christmas is a time of joy and celebration. But for others, it can bring financial strain, loneliness, emotional challenges, and feelings of social isolation. The SNG Winter Wishes Fund supports not-for-profit groups and organisations to deliver ...
Online funder event – The National Lottery Community Fund: environmental funding
2 October 2025This is an online funder event hosted by the National Lottery Community Fund in partnership with Reading Voluntary Action and others. The National Lottery has recently updated its funding priorities and related grants. One of these funding priorities related to the environment and they will be holding an online session to explore the outcomes they want ...
National Lottery Awards for All – updated funding priorities
2 October 2025Introduction – overview of the funding They provide funding for projects that bring people together to build strong relationships and improve communities in England. You can apply for a grant of between £300 and £20,000 for projects lasting up to 2 years. Who is eligible to apply? You can apply if your organisation is a: constituted voluntary or community ...
National Lottery Reaching Communities – updated funding priorities
2 October 2025Introduction – overview of the funding With this funding, they want to help strengthen communities and improve lives. Their funding is available to all communities but their priority is the places, people and communities that need it most. When they say ‘community’, they mean people who live in the same area. Or people with similar interests or ...
National Lottery Awards for All – Environment Fund
2 October 2025Introduction – overview of the funding The climate and nature emergency affects us all, but local action can make a real difference. They fund community-led projects that improve the environment and help people connect with and enjoy nature where they live. Who is eligible to apply? You can apply if your organisation is a: constituted voluntary or community organisation constituted ...
RBC Creative Micro Grants for arts, culture and heritage in South Reading – deadline 20 Oct 2025
2 October 2025
Introduction – overview of the funding This micro-funding is designed to support grassroots creativity in the Whitley and Church wards in South Reading. This programme aims to support creative activity by offering small-scale funding of either £250 or £500 to cultural organisations and practitioners, who are deeply rooted in their communities. Who is eligible to apply? Individuals, informal groups, ...
RBC Small Grants Fund – deadline 31 Oct 2025
26 September 2025
Reading Borough Council has allocated £150k for small grants to the voluntary and community sector for the year 2025/2026. The council is inviting applications for funding to support the residents to become more self-sufficient, built on a bedrock of valued educational attainment, strong skills and practical knowledge that enables them to realise their potential through accessing ...
ABC to Read: helping struggling readers thrive across Berkshire
25 September 2025
Award-winning charity celebrates positive school evaluation results and calls for new schools and volunteers to join their mission. ABC to read, the Berkshire-based children’s reading charity, is celebrating another year of positive impact following the results of its latest school evaluations. The charity, which has been supporting children who struggle with reading since 2004, currently works ...
Depression Xpression receives £2,466 from Reading Borough Council’s Small Grant Fund
11 September 2025
We’re pleased to share that we have been awarded funding from Reading Borough Council’s Small Grant Fund. We received £2,466.00 in March 2025 and are now halfway through our programme of Peer Support Groups made possible by this funding. Thanks to Reading Borough Council, we are continuing to build a community of support for local people ...
Ex-café premises to let, Cattle Market, Great Knollys Street – deadline 3 October 2025
10 September 2025Reading Borough Council have notified us of this opportunity below. It is a short-term let until 31 March 2028. It doesn’t appear to follow the usual RBC Third Sector Lettings Policy. Please let us know if you are interested or would like any support with applying by emailing advice@rva.org.uk. Download the invitation to bid.
Groundwork Grassroots Grants – deadline 14 October 2025
9 September 2025
Introduction – overview of the funding The Groundwork Grassroots Grants Programme is provided by the Postcode Local Trust, Postcode Places Trust, and Postcode Society Trust, and is administered by Groundwork. Grassroots Grants provides unrestricted funding for small, local organisations in England who are making a positive difference in their communities. Who is eligible to apply? Applications are accepted from small, ...
Comic Relief Community Fund – Grassroots groups – deadline 6 October 2025
9 September 2025
Introduction – overview of the funding The Comic Relief Community Fund (England) 2024 programme will focus on supporting organisations whose activities help to address poverty and its impact – funding organisations that provide essential resources such as food, shelter, healthcare and education, include foodbanks, homeless shelters, family hubs and community wellbeing centres. The Fund offers grants of ...