Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 1000+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
2025 Volunteer Coordinators Network (VCN) schudule
7 January 2025The schedule for the Volunteer Coordinators Network for 2025 has been published. The Volunteer Coordinators’ Network (VCN) meeting provides a space for those who oversee the work of volunteers to seek peer support in a confidential space from others in a similar role. It is an opportunity to share best practice and to learn from the ...
Reading Volunteer Fair 2025
7 January 2025
Reading Voluntary Action (RVA) is considering collaborating with partners to hold a Volunteer Fair in Reading later this year. We are keen to canvas groups on interest in such an event and when and how it can be delivered to fit the needs of as many groups as possible. We would be grateful if you could take ...
Charity Governance Awards 2025 – Deadline for submission of applications : 12 February 2025 (noon)
19 December 2024
The Charity Governance Awards are a not-for-profit initiative created to celebrate outstanding governance and trusteeship in charities across the UK. These Awards are open to any charity registered in the UK; entries are free and easy to submit online. The shortlist will be announced in April 2025, and selected charities will be invited to a complimentary and exclusive ...
Formal bidding process opens for Yeomanry House, Castle Hill – Deadline 12noon on 14 February 2025
12 December 2024Reading Borough Council have now commenced the 8-week bidding process for the release of the freehold land at Yeomanry House, Castle Hill, Reading, RG1 7TA. This land is being concurrently released to the local Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) and on the open market via AH Lansleys for bids. Deadline: Local VCS organisations are invited to submit ...
Community Wellness Outreach project runs until June 2025
12 December 2024
Help your community to benefit from the Community Wellness Outreach project in Reading 1,943 NHS health checks were carried out in community settings across Reading from December 2023 to October 2024 as part of the Community Wellness Outreach project. The community healthcare initiative is a pilot project to reduce health inequalities, and continues in Reading until ...
Be a part of the change at Arthros
12 December 2024
Are you interested in volunteering with a Charity set up to improve the lives of people with arthritis, within an 8-mile radius of central Reading? This is the chance to join a new, small team of Trustees as we develop our new strategy. We’ve just recruited 3 new Trustees, including an experienced and qualified Treasurer, a ...
We’ve updated Safe and Sound accreditation for local charities!
11 December 2024
We’re pleased to announce we have updated our materials for RVA Safe and Sound – Reading’s very own accreditation for charities seeking to work towards good governance. What’s in the updated materials? The Safe and Sound accreditation involves a self assessment that trustees primarily work through at their own pace followed by a consultation with the RVA ...
Public awareness and perception of local charities and community groups survey
10 December 2024
To complement Reading’s Voluntary and Community Sector Survey 2024, we have put together a survey to gather public awareness and perceptions of local charities. The short survey explores residents’ awareness of the hundreds of charities and community groups working across our town. It also gathers views on their experiences of benefiting from local services and on feelings of ...
Friends of Caversham Court Gardens Carol Evening
9 December 2024The Friends of Caversham Court Gardens are holding their annual Carol Evening in Caversham Court Gardens on Monday 16th December at 7.30pm. The choir of St Peter’s church will be leading the singing of traditional Christmas carols and members of the Salvation Army Band will add to the festive music. The floodlit gardens will be open from ...
HIV Positive Reading residents share their stories to encourage HIV testing
3 December 2024Thames Valley Positive Support (TVPS) are highlighting the importance of testing for HIV Reading has the highest rate of late diagnosis of HIV in the South East 78% of those diagnosed with HIV are diagnosed late, compared to a regional average of 47.9%. Through funding received from Reading Borough Council, TVPS are launching a campaign in ...
Your short-term or one-off volunteering opportunities could be just the fit for the new University of Reading staff volunteering scheme
3 December 2024
The University of Reading has launched a new staff volunteering scheme, which will encourage the University’s 4,500 staff to take up to two days of paid time off work, per year, to volunteer in the local community. Staff can volunteer on their own, or in groups with colleagues. If you have a role that may be ...
Launch of the Wellbeing Platform: Support Hub
28 November 2024
The Wellbeing Platform: Support Hub, an innovative pilot project by Together for Mental Wellbeing and partners, will launch on 6 December 2024 at Reading Station. The initiative aims to provide a safe, welcoming space for individuals facing mental health challenges, offering compassionate support, and connecting them to ongoing services in Reading and Berkshire. The Support Hub will ...
Safer Neighbourhood Forum Public Meeting
27 November 2024Opportunity for residents of Whitley and Church Wards to hear from and report directly to Reading Borough Council, Thames Valley Police, Councillors and other officials about crime and anti-social behaviour. A hot drink will be provided. Doors open 6.45pm, meeting starts 7pm and ends 8.30pm Free Parking is available on site however, visitors will need to register their ...
Reclaim the Night Reading
27 November 2024We would like to invite women members and beneficiaries of your organisation to the Reclaim the Night Reading march and rally on Friday 29 November at 5pm, starting at the Reading Town Hall. This year we are working in partnership with the University of Reading and their Students’ Union and encourage you to invite sisters from ...
Employment Law update: New legal duty for employers to prevent Sexual Harassment
27 November 2024
Introduction If your charity employs staff please read this guidance to familiarise yourself with the new legal duty placed on all employers, regardless of the size of your organisation or the nature of your work, to proactively take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. This article provides: A summary of the change in law What actions ...
‘Tis (almost) the season! Tell us about your festive volunteering opportunities now
25 November 2024
Yup, the big day is now only a month away and we are seeing our annual flurry of interest from people looking for festive volunteering opportunities. We have already been contacted by groups of colleagues looking for opportunities to do something in the build-up to the big day, as well as, individuals looking to do something ...
Cianna’s Smile awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024
14 November 2024
We’re honoured to share that Cianna’s Smile, has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024! This is the highest recognition a local voluntary group can receive in the UK, equivalent to an MBE. We would like to dedicate our award in memory of Siobhan Richards-Slater, a beautiful and bubbly child whose smile lit ...
RABBLE Up! Screen and Stage skills for the Whitley Community
14 November 2024At RABBLE Up, anyone in Whitley can join our weekly sessions where we learn new skills and create theatre and film projects all about Whitley! You don’t need any experience, you just need… you. Learn new skills Create theatre and film projects about you and your community Make new friends Stay active and healthy Have the opportunity to get involved ...
Reading Community Learning Centre AGM
14 November 2024Dear Friends of RCLC You are warmly invited to our 17th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday 3rd of December 2024 from 11:30am – 1pm at The Quakers Meeting House, 2 Church Street, Reading RG1 2SB The AGM is a great opportunity to hear about our activities and celebrate our achievements over the past 12 months. We’d ...
Men2Men International Day
14 November 2024Men2Men International Day – Time To Talk – Encouraging Men’s Health Champions To help shine a spotlight on both the problems of men’s health and the people delivering the solutions. Guest presenters include Health Professionals covering: Mental Health and Suicide Awareness Diabetes Sexual Health Cancer/Prostate Cancer Smoking Impact Physical Health Checks Liver Function People with lived experiences Download a flyer