Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 1000+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
The Oracle Reading partners with Cianna’s Smile for networking event to mark World Sickle Cell Awareness Day
12 June 2025
Community networking, film screening, live fitness challenge, and community lunch planned for 19 June 2025 in Reading, UK In recognition of World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, local charity Cianna’s Smile is proud to announce a new partnership as charity bursary partners with The Oracle shopping centre and invite the public to a day of awareness, empowerment, ...
NEW free of charge offer: Treasurer Training – July session
4 June 2025
Please note this session has been postponed. Contact training@rva.org.uk for details of future dates. Are you new to being a treasurer of a charity or community group in Reading, or perhaps you are interested in taking on this role? If so, this training is for you. Details of the training session: Aims: To build an understanding of the role ...
Keeping everybody safe: Reading VCS Safety and Safeguarding Forum
29 May 2025
Keeping everybody safe is an increasing priority for many VCS organisations We will discuss how you can be supported to protect your community members, service users, as well as staff and volunteers. Join us to hear from statutory partners and share your experiences as we discuss the following: An Adult Safeguarding Escalation Process: developing a process with ...
Pride of Reading 2025 – nominations open
29 May 2025
Nominations are now open for the Pride of Reading Awards 2025 This is the 21st year of the awards which highlight those who make or have made an impact within our local community. Do you know someone who has made a difference? Categories include: Local hero Neighbourhood Champion Volunteer/s of the Year The Green Award Charity of the Year Community of the Year See all ...
Reading Climate Festival 2025
29 May 2025
Wouldn’t it be amazing to live in a healthier, happier, more climate-friendly town? Reading Climate Festival brings two weeks of inspiring free events to our town from Saturday 7 June to Saturday 21 June 2025. Visit a secret roof garden with fruit trees, veggies and flowers Join a tour of Reading Hydro or the Green Park Wind Turbine Get tips for making your home and lifestyle healthier and more ...
Good quality office furniture available in the Reading area
28 May 2025
Assets 4 Change is a social enterprise supporting local charities and schools by connecting them with businesses and public sector organisations to facilitate the re-use of surplus furniture and equipment. Later this year they will be managing an office clearance in the Reading area, and have a range of tables, chairs and other pieces of office ...
Volunteers’ Week 2025
28 May 2025
Volunteers’ Week 2025 is almost here, and Reading Voluntary Action is gearing up to mark the event with an online promotional campaign and Volunteer Fair. Volunteers’ Week is an annual UK-wide campaign held from the first Monday in June to celebrate and recognise the contributions of volunteers. Throughout next week, we will post a series of Volunteering ...
Free energy advice for people with a learning disability in Reading
20 May 2025Free energy advice for people with learning disabilities is being provided by Reading Mencap thanks to a new partnership with gas distribution network SGN. The partnership was officially announced at a celebration event at Reading Mencap’s offices at Alexandra Road, Reading on Tuesday 13 May. The new project, which will run for 13 months, offers crucial guidance ...
Walk a Mile in Our Shoes returns for Learning Disability Week
20 May 2025Step right up and join the fun! Reading Mencap is thrilled to announce the second annual Walk a Mile in Our Shoes event on Wednesday 18 June. Building on the resounding success of its inaugural year, which saw more than 120 enthusiastic walkers and 60 volunteers take part, Reading Mencap is once again inviting the whole ...
Share your volunteer experiences with RNIB – Survey Deadline 30 June 2025
15 May 2025Share your volunteering experiences with us! RNIB’s latest survey on the experiences of blind and partially sighted people in volunteering is available to complete from 12 May to 30 June 2025. It takes 15 minutes to complete. Whether you volunteer or not, we want to understand your motivations to volunteer, what stops you from volunteering, and what ...
Introduction to First Steps towards Safe and Sound – May in-person session
2 May 2025
First Steps towards Safe and Sound is a free tool available to all voluntary and community groups offering services in Reading, who wish to take the first steps towards having good governance in place. Come along to our May introduction session and find out how to get started and what the benefits are for your ...
Closing the Gap 2 (RBC) bidding window open – various contracts and deadlines in May and June 2025
30 April 2025Reading Borough Council have now opened their bidding window for Closing the Gap 2 contracts for voluntary and community sector organisations to deliver services related to various themes. This is the second rendition of CTG following recent consultation with the local VCS. The contracts are for differing amounts with the Invitation to Tender (ITT) contracts requiring ...
University of Reading Charity of The Year – Apply for the 25/26 scheme now
30 April 2025The University of Reading Charity of the Year scheme for 2025/26 is now open for applications until Wednesday 21 May (23.00). The Charity of the Year Scheme aims to deliver positive impacts for both the chosen charity and the University, whilst also benefitting the local community. It will also support the University’s charitable objectives of advancing ...
Free workshops offer advice to parents and carers of autistic adults
24 April 2025The Berkshire Adult Autism Support Service is running two free online autism advice workshops for parents and unpaid family carers of autistic adults next month. The aim of these sessions is to help participants increase their understanding of aspects of autism and their confidence when supporting their relatives. The workshops are open to all family carers of ...
Tell us what you think and win £100 to spend at the Rising Sun
17 April 2025
Connect Reading would like to hear from YOU about how we can improve cross-sector partnerships in Reading, and how we can improve our offer for local organisations. Our aim is to making Reading better, connected! We’re offering the chance to win £100 to spend at the Rising Sun for everyone who takes part in our 3 ...
Dying Well Matters Event
16 April 2025
Many people feel unprepared and uncomfortable talking about death and end-of-life care, especially when it involves themselves or loved ones. Join Reading Healthwatch and Reading Borough Council for a free community conversation about end-of-life care – a safe, welcoming space to share thoughts, ask questions and to learn more.
Befriending Forum 24 June
9 April 2025
Walking, stretching, dancing, cycling and running together – how physical activity in the community supports people facing loneliness and social isolation Hear from a range of local VCOs about their local offer including seated exercise, heritage dance and other physical activity. Look around our VCOs ‘trade show’ of local community groups offering a wide range of physical/social ...
AskSARA RBC online learning lunch 10.4.25
7 April 2025
AskSARA for advice, support and products that make daily living easier Reading Borough Council is pleased to announce the launch of a new self-help tool on the Council Website called AskSARA. Please click here for website AskSARA is an award-winning online self-help guide providing expert advice and information on products and equipment for older and disabled people. AskSARA: ...
On the fifth anniversary of the first Covid lockdown
26 March 2025
Like many others this week, we are reflecting on the fifth anniversary of the first Covid-19 lockdown in the UK We are thanking once again the volunteers and staff who provided support and reassurance to some of the most vulnerable members of our community through the pandemic. Volunteers and volunteering at the forefront of the response Voluntary sector ...
The Earley Charity – Building for the Future Capital Grants Programme – Deadline 20 June 2025
26 March 2025
The Earley Charity has launched a new capital grants programme for 2025. The Building for the Future programme has a budget of £250,000 and is open to local organisations that work in or predominately serve the Earley Charity’s area of benefit*. By Capital they mean bricks and mortar such as new builds, extensions and large-scale ...