Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 1000+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
Support and resources to help you deliver services safely online
3 February 2021
Is your organisation delivering online services or are you struggling with seeing how you might do this safely in view of specific needs of your service users, such as mental health needs? Many of us had to adapt quickly to the various lockdown restrictions, and you might be trying to balance: Maintaining much-needed service delivery during ...
Tribute to Phillip Kallay
2 February 2021
We would like to pay tribute to one of Reading’s community champions, Phillip Edmond Kallay, who passed away after a short illness on 5 January 2021 aged 46. Philip moved with his family to the Hexham area in 2010 and became an active member of the Hexham Community Association (HCA) after making friends with the then ...
National Lottery Grants for Heritage – focusing on inclusion – rolling deadline
1 February 2021
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is accepting applications for grants from £3,000 to £10,000 and £10,000 to £100,000 for projects that are focused on inclusion, led by and/or engaging diverse groups typically under-represented in heritage (for example, young people, minority ethnic and LGBT+ communities, disabled people and people from lower socio-economic backgrounds). This work could include: exploring different ...
The Clothworkers’ Foundation – Open Grants Programme
1 February 2021
The Open Grants Programme accepts applications from UK registered charities or not-for-profits and who meet the eligibility criteria, for funding towards capital projects. The work of the organisation must fit within one or more of the specified programme areas. This Programme does not award grants for work outside the UK, even if the organisation is ...
Freehold disposal of 2–4 Darwin Close – bidding open until 9 April 2021
1 February 2021
The council property 2–4 Darwin Close, Reading, RG2 0RB is now on the market The formal bidding process through the open market and the third sector process has now commenced and local voluntary organisations are invited to submit their proposals by 5pm on Friday 9 April 2021. The property, which comprises office and warehouse space, is ...
Buttle UK – Chances for Children grants
29 January 2021
Buttle UK’s Chances for Children grants can provide an enhanced package of support for children and young people dealing with a variety of issues ranging from, but not limited to: kinship care arrangements, domestic abuse, estrangement, physical and mental ill health, and substance abuse. Who can they help? This scheme is for children experiencing lasting emotional, social ...
Seeking to understand – watch the video from the Trauma-Informed Reading Conference
28 January 2021
The Trauma-Informed Reading Conference took place between 30 November and 7 December 2020, reaching 142 professionals across workshops, Q&A sessions and other learning and sharing opportunities. Free professional development materials from the conference, including the video below, will be added to the trauma-informed working page of the One Reading Children and Young People’s Partnership resources. Seeking to ...
Snow day at the vaccine hub
27 January 2021
The snow on Sunday 23 January presented challenging conditions for the Reading Central and Whitley Vaccination Hub. Volunteers from the charity Re:Act were on standby to help, through the VCS Emergencies Partnership, but weren’t needed in the end. With grit, brooms and spades, RVA volunteers were able to keep the area clear and run the ...
Updated guidance on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – furlough and caring responsibilities
27 January 2021
HMRC has updated its guidance on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) to confirm that employees may be furloughed if they are unable to work or are working reduced hours because of caring responsibilities which have arisen as a result of covid-19. The amended guidance states that caring responsibilities include caring for: children who are at home ...
Peace of Mind Matters project – Citizens Advice Reading
26 January 2021
The Peace of Mind Matters project at Citizens Advice is a new service which can help support with advice and guidance after the death of a loved one. It can advise on practicalities such as: who can make arrangements after a death who to inform after a death information on what happens after someone dies information on organ donation obtaining ...
New Directions College – your partner in your learning journey
22 January 2021
Lockdown doesn’t mean you have to put your dreams on hold. You can continue to learn new skills with our fantastic range of online courses. We also have a range of free courses to improve your employment prospects. New Directions College can help kickstart your learning journey through a range of courses in English, Maths, ESOL, ...
Women’s Voices 2021 – apply for place at Media Trust event by 9am on 25 January
21 January 2021
If your charity supports women, girls or those who identify as female, and is looking to reach new audiences, develop a campaign or raise awareness about your cause, then Media Trust invite you to apply for a place at Women’s Voices 2021, in celebration of International Women’s Day. Join them virtually on Monday 8 March 2021 ...
Community Participatory Action Research – apply for funded training
21 January 2021
Applications are open until 12 noon on 16 February 2021 Health Education England South East and Public Health England South East are offering a programme of training and mentoring to develop community-based researchers. The programme will involve training up community researchers to undertake a piece of work to understand the issues and inequalities impacting black and ...
Start your own business workshops by The Real Business Club
20 January 2021
We know that some people have lost or are going to loose jobs. Some are going to be on reduced hours. These workshops would help anyone considering what it would mean to start a full time or part time business. They are suitable for people who may be thinking about: working for themselves – being self ...
Free coaching offer for Reading’s trustees and managers
20 January 2021
Are you a charity trustee or manager? We know Covid has thrown up many challenges for those running charities. Coaching is an opportunity to explore your own blocks to help you achieve the best for your charity at this time. We are pleased to say we have partnered with Coaching Reading to offer free Coaching ...
No5 Young People celebrates fifty years and seeks your stories
18 January 2021
No5 opened its doors to children and young people on 18 January 1971 at 5 Sackville Street in Reading There have been many changes over the years to their mental health services, training and counselling, but local young people’s voices remain at the heart of everything they do. Their vision of a world that doesn’t stigmatise ...
Berkshire Youth Hubs – virtual and telephone-based support platform
18 January 2021
After a successful pilot across West Berkshire, and responding to best meet the needs of the local community, Berkshire Youth are delighted to announce the next evolution of the West Berkshire Youth Hub. Their award-winning hub has now been extended across the whole of Berkshire. They hope that the renamed ‘Berkshire Youth Hubs’ will prove ...
Formal bidding process now open for Cemetery Arch long leasehold disposal – until 19 March 2021
13 January 2021
The formal bidding process through the open market and also through the third sector process has now commenced for the Cemetery Arch building. Local voluntary organisations are invited to submit their proposals by 12 noon on 19 March 2021. The application process Applications and accompanying documents should be sent to: Committee Administration, Reading Borough Council, Civic Offices, ...
Winter mental health support for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic and Refugee communities
12 January 2021
Seven voluntary and community organisations are to share a £20,000 NHS England grant aimed at supporting the mental health of people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic and Refugee communities (BAMER) over the winter. Berkshire West CCG secured the funding and has worked closely with key partners to devise the best ways of allocating the money. ...
Charity Commission updates: holding trustee meetings and AGMs
11 January 2021
The Charity Commission has updated its guidance for charities as a result of lockdown 3 as follows: Trustees should hold their trustee meetings online or via telephone, where possible during lockdown. AGMs can continue to be held online (the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 has been extended until 30 March 2020). For more details on how to ...