Ready Friends
This project is all about supporting local people, communities and voluntary sector groups to reduce loneliness and social isolation in Reading. A number of Ready Friends activities (like the Befriending Forums) are held regularly but we also undertake time-limited projects in response to the changing needs of the people who live in the town.
Ready Friends supports lots of existing local community groups and charities and works in partnership with public bodies like Reading Borough Council. However, we are always interested in talking to new people who would like to take action on loneliness and have an idea they’d like to develop. Ready Friends can help with information, advice, training and support around developing your idea; funding; finding a venue; recruiting volunteers; publicising your event or project and identifying potential partner organisations.
Got an idea? Get in touch! ready.friends@rva.org.uk
Ready Friends Befriending Forum
Ready Friends Befriending Forums meet quarterly and bring together local people who want to take action on loneliness and social isolation. They could be from an existing charity or voluntary organisation or an emerging community group or someone who’d like to make a difference in their neighbourhood.
Each Forum event is themed and we welcome suggestions for items to include. We always start with introductions and good news from groups around Reading, so it’s a great way to network, share your work and find partners for new projects.
The next Befriending Forum will be on 12 March 2020 from 12.30pm.
2020 dates (all starting at 12.30 with a free buffet lunch)
- 12 March
- 18 June
- 24 September
- 3 December
Reports and resources from previous forums
- Report from Dec 2019 Befriending Forum which focused on the role of technology in reducing loneliness and social isolation.
- Have a look through the slides from the December 2019 Forum, which have useful links.
Video from Wavelength
Friendship volunteering evening
Read the RVA News article about our special evening for friendship volunteers in November 2019. You can also read an evaluation report on the evening. We are still looking for friendship volunteers to participate in interviews for a promotional film that all community groups will be able to use in recruitment campaigns. If you are interested in taking part, please get in touch with Rhiannon at Ready friends: ready.friends@rva.org.uk.
Ready Friends Toolkit
Ready Friends, in partnership with Reading Neighbourhoods Network, have launched a new toolkit for anyone interested in taking action on loneliness and social isolation. Access the online toolkit where you can also download an 8-page booklet to share.
Other resources
- Making Reading Friendlier: a Ready Friends Action Plan 2019-2020
- Social Isolation and Loneliness in Reading report (2017)
- Look at the range of befriending schemes in Reading.
- See current befriending opportunities.
