Newsletter (original version)

  • Thinking of holding a street party? Free road closures available this summer

    21 March 2024Thinking of holding a street party? Free road closures available this summer

    A street party is a great way to bring your neighbours together and have fun, and as in previous years communities across Reading are invited to host street parties without having to pay the usual road closure fees. This year the council has announced that free road closures will be available for street parties that take place on any weekend in June or July.

    To apply to hold a street party, please use the online application form at www.reading.gov.uk/streetparties. The deadline for applications this year is 29 April 2024.

    Closing a street will need agreement from the affected households – the forms are quite straightforward and completed applications from most streets that are not on bus routes will be accepted. Even if you are unable to close your street you might be able to have a party in a local park or other area of open space.

    For further ideas or help in planning your street party please visit the Street Party official website at www.streetparty.org.uk.

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  • New app for Reading’s library users

    26 February 2024New app for Reading's library users

    Residents can now reserve or renew books in any of the town’s libraries with a new app. The Library App gives residents the ability to reserve or renew books remotely, enabling users to manage their library accounts conveniently from their devices. The app enhances the overall user experience and will help users access all the resources available from Reading Libraries wherever they are.

    Residents will have 24/7 access to library resources where they can complete research, extend loans, make reservations and requests and interact with library resources from anywhere, at any time.

    Key features of the Reading Libraries app include:

    -Multiple library accounts can be managed in one app, all the families library ‘cards’ in one place
    -Search the full Reading Borough Council library catalogue and reserve a book to collect at your local library
    -Extend the loans of books via the app
    -Access eBooks, audio books and eMagazines and other online resources
    -Reading’s library stock is now more accessible, as well as being completely free to borrow.

    Librarians, kiosks and book drops continue to be available in-branch and branch opening times can also be checked in the app.

    The app can be downloaded here https://www.yourlibraryapp.com/ReadingLibraries.

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  • BBC Radio Berkshire Make a Difference Awards 2024

    7 February 2024BBC Radio Berkshire Make a Difference Awards 2024

    News from: BBC Radio Berkshire

    The BBC Radio Berkshire Make a Difference Awards are back for 2024.

    For the third year, BBC Radio Berkshire wants to celebrate and say thank you to people living in our villages and towns who make where we live a better place. Every day we hear stories of people doing incredible things for each other and their communities. Now it’s time to recognise them for all their hard work.

    Whether it’s caring for someone in need, being a brilliant neighbour, or inspiring children in the classroom, if you know someone who is really making a difference to your life or where you live, then you can nominate them for an Award.

    There are 8 categories;

    -Volunteer
    -Community
    -Fundraiser
    -Carer
    -Great Neighbour
    -Bravery
    -The Green Award
    -The Animal Award

    Nominations are now open and will close on Sunday 10 March 2024 at 23:00. The winners will be announced at our Make a Difference awards ceremony in September.

    You can nominate someone you know online at www.bbc.co.uk/makeadifference, where you can also see the full Terms and Privacy Notice.

    Please note that you can’t nominate yourself and you can’t nominate any of the winners or shortlisted nominees from last year’s awards in the same category.

    There’s also a guide on how to nominate at: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0h8k50p.

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  • Invitation to a Joy Marketplace information session

    27 January 2024Invitation to a Joy Marketplace information session

    Reading Voluntary Action is inviting local community groups and charities to a 45 minute information session on the Joy Marketplace.

    Joy is an online platform that connects people to life-changing local services. It instantly refers clients to high-quality support on the marketplace of services, which automatically stays up to date. It’s free for VCOs to join and gives your organisation visibility to the public and to health and wellbeing professionals. Plus, you can easily customise your organisation’s public-facing page.

    Come along and find out:
    -What is the Joy Marketplace?
    -How does it benefit services users?
    -How does it benefit health and wellbeing staff, volunteers and service managers?
    -Customising it to meet your group’s needs
    -Safeguarding and due diligence checks
    -How do groups register?
    -Where can I find out more?

    If you would like a one-to-one session (in-person or on Zoom) with Rhiannon from RVA, please email rhiannon.stocking-williams@rva.org.uk or phone 07485 327958.

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  • Community Wellness Outreach: free health checks available

    16 January 2024Community Wellness Outreach: free health checks available

    This is an opportunity for the community to receive a free NHS health check and advice to improve their health in community settings in Reading.

    The Reading Community Wellbeing Outreach partnership project will run to the end of March 2025. The partnership is funded by the Integrated Care Board ICB to pilot outreach activities to reduce health inequalities for our most vulnerable communities. The programme is open to all but people at risk of developing cardiovascular conditions are a priority.

    The partners will run health and wellbeing outreach hubs in community settings across Reading providing NHS Health Checks and holistic support to enable people to take action to improve their health.

    Visit the Community Wellness Outreach page to find out more about the project:

    -Calendar of events for people to access the service
    -What’s involved in a NHS health check.

    Please use the contact links on the page to find out more or to get in touch about how your organisation can get involved to support your community to attend.

    Call 0118 304 8841 if you would like to speak to someone about the project or have any questions.

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  • Let’s Sing Reading now open to all vocalists as it returns for 2024!

    14 January 2024Let’s Sing Reading now open to all vocalists as it returns for 2024!

    News from: Reading Borough Council

    The Mayor of Reading’s annual choir competition is expanding to also welcome applications from local soloists, duets, and singing groups as it returns for 2024.

    The competition will again be in aid of the Mayor’s chosen charities for 2023/24, Reading Refugee Support Group, and Reading Stroke Support Group.

    The contest is divided into three age categories and a panel of judges, including Reading Mayor, Cllr Tony Page, will select up to 6 entrants from each category. Successful finalists will be part of the grand Let’s Sing final, performing live on The Hexagon stage on Tuesday 26 March.

    A winner will be selected in each category, and an overall winner on the night will be presented with a special Let’s Sing trophy by the Mayor.

    The judging panel will select which participants will go through to the live final, and overall winners will be revealed at the event on 26 March.

    Singers of any kind from across the Borough can complete the short application form at: www.reading.gov.uk/leisure/things-to-do/letssingreading.

    The closing date for entries is 19 February 2024.

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  • Senior Changemakers – nominate for the chance of a £2,000 donation

    14 January 2024Senior Changemakers - nominate for the chance of a £2,000 donation

    News from: Edwards Lifesciences, competition organiser

    Would you like to be in with a chance to receive a £2,000 donation for your charity?

    If your organisation has any volunteers over the age of 65, we would love to invite you to take part in the Senior Changemakers: Volunteering Champions project.

    Following the launch of the Unifying Generations initiative last year, which aimed to change the perceptions of the older population and emphasize their positive contribution to society, Edwards Lifesciences are proud to present the Senior Changemakers project, which aims to highlight and reward those at the heart of volunteering.

    What does this mean for you?

    Nominate volunteers aged 65+ from your organisation, who you believe best demonstrate what it means to be a Senior Changemaker using this short online form https://form.jotform.com/233385028803052

    Further information:
    -The deadline for nominations is 18 February
    -Nominations will be assessed by our judging panel who are all experts in their fields
    -Shortlisted nominees will be invited to celebrate their work in front of other volunteers and experts
    -Winners chosen by the judging panel will receive a £2,000 donation to the nominating charity and potentially may be featured in local media

    Should you have any questions on the above information please don’t hesitate to get in touch at CorpComms@havasso.com

    Best of luck to all nominees!

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  • Together UK Reading nominated for two awards

    13 January 2024Together UK Reading nominated for two awards

    Together UK Reading are thrilled to share that they have been shortlisted for not just one, but two prestigious awards in the Thames Valley Business & Community Awards 2024 – Outstanding Contribution to The Community and The Charity of The Year. With over 1100 overall nominations for the awards, being shortlisted is a huge achievement for this small but mighty charity.

    Together UK Reading aims to support people on their journey towards better mental wellbeing and provide preventative mental support through a range of services across Reading;

    1. Community Outreach Service – provides community 1:1 mental health support and community support for the refugee and asylum seeker community.

    2. Breathing Space – a crisis telephone line (08000 029091) open between 17:00 – 23:00 which also offer 6 sessions of 1:1 community support.

    3. Managing Emotions Programme – a psychoeducational range of courses aimed at upskilling attendees to better manage their mental health

    4. Winter Wellbeing Project – a wellbeing project being delivered across Prospect Park Hospital and within the community offering 1:1 sessions and wellbeing workshops.

    Together UK Reading will be attending the Thames Valley Business & Community Awards 2024 at the end of the month at The Hilton Reading where the overall winners will be announced. We wish the entire team a well-deserved wonderful evening.

    For more information about Together UK in Reading and to access support get in touch with them at readingcos@together-uk.org.

    More information about the wellbeing workshops taking place at RVA’s offices in Reading Central Library can be found here: Winter Wellness Workshops and Creative Writing Workshop.

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  • New Reading Community Energy Society share offer open

    12 January 2024New Reading Community Energy Society share offer open

    Reading Community Energy Society has just opened a new share offer to raise additional capital to extend its portfolio of solar PV systems and increase the positive impact it is having in the Reading area.

    Building on the success of the previous two share offers, this new share offer seeks to raise £97,000 to refinance the installation of a new solar PV system at the newly-redeveloped School of Art building at University of Reading. This new system at the School of Art has a capacity of 73.8 kWp, making it RCES’s largest installation to date.

    The share offer document is available to download at https://readingenergy.coop/phase3/ where you also have the option to apply online. The deadline for applications is 19 February 2024, but the offer may close earlier if priority applications are received for the full amount.

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  • Residents urged to be scam-smart this Christmas

    19 December 2023Residents urged to be scam-smart this Christmas

    Residents are urged to stay safe as the countdown to Christmas begins and avoid buying fake or dangerous goods or falling prey to illegal lenders.

    The council is again supporting the annual national anti-loan shark campaign, #ShopSmartNotShark. Loan sharks are targeting vulnerable people seeking credit and trapping them into a cycle of debt with exorbitant interest rates and threats of violence especially over the festive period and afterwards. Residents are urged to learn how to spot the signs of predatory loan sharks, who often charge excessive amounts of interest if they are facing financial hardship over Christmas: www.stoploansharks.co.uk. If you are concerned a friend or family member might be being taken advantage of by a loan shark, contact the Stop Loan Sharks 24/7 Helpline on 0300 555 2222 or fill in the secure online form at www.stoploansharks.co.uk to receive confidential support. You can find out whether a money lender is authorised by checking the register on the FCA website at www.fca.org.uk.

    Council Trading Standards officers are warning of several pitfalls to avoid this festive period. The team have again received reports of pedlars taking advantage of the Christmas shopping crowds to sell counterfeit goods such as fake toiletries, watches, and tech in Reading town centre. Many of the goods have been confirmed as fake – materials and ingredients are unknown, and could potentially be unsafe. Additionally, this time of year many pop-up stalls and pedlars are circulating in the area, often selling counterfeit alcohol. If you see alcohol sold at a bargain price, ensure sure you look for any clues such as spelling mistakes, or poorly attached labels on bottles. Residents are also being warned of the dangers of cheap, unsafe toys which continue to flood the UK marketplace. Those shopping for children’s toys this Christmas are advised to check to ensure products meet safety standards.

    Advice from the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) recommends shoppers carefully research each seller and check the following:
    -Ensure the consumer protection ‘CE’ or ‘UKCA’ mark is visible
    -Are you buying directly from an online platform or is it a third-party seller?
    -Is the seller based in the UK?
    -Does the seller provide a name and address for you to contact?

    The OPSS also recommend shoppers carry out safety checks on any toys they buy:
    -Always read the warnings and instructions
    -Avoid toys with small parts and look out for strangulation hazards
    -Check the toys are suitable for children and are age-appropriate
    -Check for button batteries – ensure they are safe behind a screwed-down flap
    -Check for product recalls – find details at www.gov.uk/guidance/product-recalls-and-alerts.

    For consumer advice or to report unsafe products call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.

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Upcoming events

Event Information:

  • Wed
    27
    Sep
    2017

    Green Shoots Performing Arts Development Day

    10:00 - 15:00South Street Arts Centre

    21 South Street, Reading RG1 4QU

    Small Green Shoots is a youth arts organisation that nurtures arts and music ideas into vibrant growing projects. An innovative music-based consultancy that develops and delivers high profile music projects for creatives, corporates and community.

    The development day will give you the opportunity to meet with local organisations, artists and project partners to support any ideas or meet any creative needs your young people or organisation might have.

    There will be an Arts Council and PRS Foundation funding officer on hand to promote their relevant opportunities, a live artist performance and Small Green Shoots will provide a lovely lunch.

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