Meet our CEO
Rachel Spencer
Chief Executive0118 937 2053rachel.spencer@rva.org.uk
Rachel’s role is to provide vision and leadership so that RVA can build the capacity of the local VCS and strengthen its voice; to promote the role and value of the sector to the public and to key agencies and partnerships which influence the life of the local community; to support the Board of Trustees in carrying out its governance responsibilities and ensure the organisation has the resources necessary to carry out these functions.
Meet our other staff
Anna Chapman
School and Parent Engagement Officer0118 937 2054anna.chapman@rva.org.uk
Anna’s role is part funded by the European Social Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund as part of the Stronger Together partnership which brings together 8 organisations in Reading and West Berkshire to help people in deprived areas to find opportunities. She engages economically inactive parents in Reading, with the aim of supporting them to progress towards and into training, voluntary work, work-experience placements and employment.
Sharon Fitton
Stronger Together Referral Coordinator0118 9372 273sharon.fitton@rva.org.uk
Sharon is the Referral Coordinator for Stronger Together, a Building Better Opportunities project funded by the European Social Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund. She builds relationships with employers in Reading and West Berkshire, as well as organisations in the public and private sectors who might be interested in referring clients.
Steve Hendry
Volunteering Development Manager 0118 937 2657steve.hendry@rva.org.uk
Steve works with groups big and small to help them develop volunteering roles, establish best practice in volunteer management and influence policy around volunteering. This includes developing and managing new initiatives, such as Team Reading, to help increase the number of volunteers coming forward and open up opportunities for those who face barriers to getting involved . Steve also works to promote volunteering to the public, helping potential volunteers find the roles that are right for them.
Amber Holdway
Social Prescriber01189 372 273social.prescribing@rva.org.uk
Amber is one of the Social Prescribers working on the Social Prescribing project. The service aims to link individuals with activities and services in the community, to offer non-medical support and to help reduce isolation.
Demelza Hookway
Information and Communication Officer0118 937 2658demelza.hookway@rva.org.uk
Demelza uses her research, writing and editing skills to support and promote RVA projects. She develops content for the website and social media, and creates a wide range of publicity materials and resources for the RVA team. Demelza has worked in the community and not-for-profit sector since completing her PhD in nineteenth-century literature and philosophy at the University of Exeter in 2013, having previously worked in marketing and publishing. She joined RVA part-time in 2016.
Sarah Morland
Partnership Manager0118 937 2103sarah.morland@rva.org.uk
Sarah supports local charities to promote their services to commissioners, to measure their impact and develop partnerships. She works closely with statutory agencies to identify opportunities for closer working with voluntary organisations to achieve the best outcomes for Reading’s communities.
Liz Morrison
Social Prescribing Coordinator01189 372 273social.prescribing@rva.org.uk
Liz coordinates and ensures the smooth running of the Social Prescribing service delivered by RVA in partnership with Age UK Berkshire. She supports the people referred and the Social Prescribers, ensuring ongoing contact and database maintenance.
David Neale
Development Worker: Digital Inclusion0118 937 2125david.neale@rva.org.uk
David runs the Get Online Reading project, which uses a team of volunteers to promote digital inclusion around the town and help local people make better use of the internet. The Get Online team is based at Reading Central Library and does outreach sessions at other libraries and community venues around Reading. David also co-developed the RVA website.
Charlotte Netherton-Sinclair
Youth Project Coordinatorcharlotte.netherton-sinclair@rva.org.uk
Charlotte works with a variety of youth organisations, developing partnerships with the purpose of creating an exciting and sustainable youth offer in Reading. Charlotte focuses on reducing loneliness and isolation amongst young people, as well as increasing provision for Reading’s most vulnerable youth. She engages groups of young people to lead and help shape new projects.
Herjeet Randhawa
Advice Worker0118 937 2104herjeet.randhawa@rva.org.uk
Herjeet oversees the Advice Service at RVA, advising voluntary and community groups on the legal and technical issues of running a charity or voluntary sector organisation, such as charity law, company law, employment law, contract law, health and safety, data protection, safeguarding etc. She also oversees the Safe and Sound Quality Award, and delivers and organises training for the sector.
Rhiannon Stocking-Williams
Ready Friends Coordinator01189 372126rhiannon.stocking-williams@rva.org.uk
Rhiannon’s Ready Friends project is part funded by The Earley Charity and looks at ways to increase the number of people who are active in communities around Reading by improving communication and ensuring people know how and where they can get involved in social groups, community events, sports, volunteering and democracy.
Sarah Timmins DeGregory
Development Officer: School Involvementsarah.timmins.degregory@rva.org.uk
Sarah supports parents and guardians in South Reading to access voluntary sector activities and services, for the benefit of their families and school community life. Working in partnership with Family Support Workers, she creates linkages with existing and new organisations, the school and its parents, to better utilise social supports and strengthen community cohesion.
William Westwood
Services Administrator0118 937 2273 william.westwood@rva.org.uk
Will provides administrative support to the RVA team and assists in the day-to-day operations of Community Place. He supervises the Welcome Team and manages room bookings at Community Place via the info@rva.org.uk email address.