Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 1000+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
Consultation on priorities for the allocation of the neighbourhood portion of the Community Infrastructure Levy
7 January 2026
Reading Borough Council – Consultation on priorities for the allocation of the neighbourhood portion of the Community Infrastructure Levy The Council collects money for infrastructure from new developments through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). This is a charge based on the floorspace of new developments. Under the CIL regulations, the Council needs to put 15% of the ...
RBC’s budget engagement 2026–27: have your say
19 December 2025Every year Reading Borough Council (RBC) must set a budget that balances spending on services with the money we have. We want to hear your views on how we should prioritise resources and set Council Tax levels for next year. To take part, please click on this link between by 17 January 2026: https://reading.govocal.com/en-GB/projects/budget-engagement-2026-27 You may need to log ...
Season’s Greetings from RVA
18 December 2025
Dear friends, supporters, partners, and Reading’s amazing Voluntary and Community Sector! We are reflecting on another super busy year. This year included, among many other things, our well-attended Volunteer Fair in June, and some lively and creative Befriending Forums in June and September. In the summer we moved to our fabulous new home, RISC, after over 10 years at Reading ...
New report from NAVCA on connecting communities and enabling common ground
18 December 2025
NAVCA’s new report, Connecting communities, enabling common ground, explores the role of Local Infrastructure Organisations (LIOs) and the wider voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in building connections and countering hate. NAVCA writes: Across England, many communities are feeling the effects of disconnection and isolation. Economic insecurity, the loss of shared spaces, polarisation online, and ongoing ...
Free NHS Health Checks at Broad Street Mall in 2026
18 December 2025
After successfully carrying out hundreds of health checks at Reading Central Library, the Community Wellness Outreach project is moving to a new central location in Broad Street Mall. From 6 January 2026, health checks will be available on the first floor of Broad Street Mall on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30am to 5pm. Bookings are now open ...
Dying Well initiative – the role of family, friends and carers
17 December 2025
You are invited to join a collaborative Dying Well initiative led by Reading Borough Council and BOB Integrated Care Board. The topic is Support Networks: The Role of Family, Friends and Carers. We have three speakers who will be leading the discussion with a view to creating a resident’s Charter for Dying Well in the ...
National Lottery Funding 1:1 sessions for Small Groups
12 December 2025
As a follow on from their presentation on the same day (see here), the National Lottery Funding Officer will also be offering one-to-one sessions with small or new groups who would like to discuss their ideas for funding. The sessions will be 20 minutes long on the following times: Session 1: 12:00-12:20 Session 2: 12:20-12:40 Session 3: 13:10-13:30 Session 4: ...
National Lottery Funding Event for Small Groups and Small Groups’ Forum
10 December 2025We are pleased to announce that the National Lottery Community Fund will be joining us on 3 February to help small groups to explore the funding options currently available from The National Lottery Community Fund together with some top tips for smaller or newer groups to think about when completing applications. Join us for any or ...
Research volunteers needed for a new study at the University of Reading
10 December 2025Researchers at the University of Reading are looking for volunteers for an exciting paid research opportunity exploring the effects of a nutrient-enriched breakfast cereal on cognitive function throughout the day. In particular, researchers are looking for individuals aged 65 – 80 who are generally healthy, with no food allergies, and who are able to attend 5 ...
CharityComms 2025 Salary and Organisational Culture survey
4 December 2025
The CharityComms Salary and Organisational Culture Survey benchmarks salaries and how comms and marketing is valued within the sector, across strategy, leadership and the impact it’s making. Share your views by 31 January 2026 and help us advocate for what charity communicators need to be more effective and feel more valued in their roles. It takes no ...
Free PICT training for VCS staff and volunteers
2 December 2025
BHFT’s Psychologically Informed Consultation and Training (PICT) Team is offering free places on their training programme to any VCS staff or volunteer active in Berkshire. Our specialist team have expertise in working with people who have complex emotional needs which may be associated with a diagnosis of Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD), also known as Borderline ...
Safeguarding Adults Week 2025 – free online webinars on various topics 17 to 21 Nov 2025
18 November 2025
From 17th to 21st November 2025, the partner organisations of the West of Berkshire Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board will be coming together to mirror the Ann Craft Trust’s safeguarding theme of Prevention: act before abuse, to raise awareness of important safeguarding issues across the West of Berkshire. Each day, during the week, partners will host a variety ...
Reading Social Prescribing Forum (postponed from 26.11.25)
6 November 2025
Bringing Reading’s social prescribers and allied roles together to share information and improve partnership working. Connecting the connectors – part 2 Following on from the July Social Prescribing Forum, we will continue exploring ‘what good looks like’ in connecting local people to the support they need to improve their health and wellbeing. The Forum will include: Introductions and ...
Community Wellness Outreach continues
5 November 2025
Our free NHS health checks in community venues are continuing this autumn and winter Can you help members of your community to attend or share information about this opportunity? Click here to book an appointment or see venues across Reading where you can walk in for a check with our friendly team. If you have any questions, or ...
Celebrating Trustees’ Week 2025
30 October 2025
Trustees’ Week is an annual celebration and recognition for charity trustees and an opportunity for us all in the Voluntary and Community Sector to appreciate all the achievements that we as charities are making and in particular the contribution of our trustees or committee members. Trustees’ Week 2025 takes place from 3-7 November 2025. How to ...
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 ...