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Reading Voluntary Action are delighted to announce the launch of a new online lottery to support local good causes. Tickets for Reading Community Lottery will cost £1, with 60p going directly to charities, voluntary organisations and community groups (compared to just 28p in the pound for the National Lottery). Players of the lottery can win a £25,000 jackpot for a matching sequence of six numbers, other prizes are £2,000, £250, £25 or three free tickets. Continue reading Be part of Reading Community Lottery! Good causes launch event in January 2020→

Help reduce loneliness over the festive season. There’s lots happening around town during December, so if you know anyone who could do with some company or a free Christmas Day meal, or who may need to know about their nearest open chemist over the bank holiday period, please pass this information onto them, click through for link in main article. Continue reading Free Christmas meals and other useful holiday information→

Street parties are a fun and safe way for people to meet their neighbours, especially for those who rarely get out, and it’s not as difficult or expensive as you may think to put one on in your neighbourhood. Reading Voluntary Action and Reading Neighbourhood Network would like to deliver a number of 90 minute workshops across Reading for anyone interested in running a street party in 2020. Continue reading Early new year’s resolution – organise a Street Party in 2020!→

Fuel Poverty Awareness Day is an annual day to raise awareness of this hidden and largely unknown problem, to highlight the effects on health and what can be done about it. Fuel poverty affects 2.5 million households in England. “Heating or eating” is a choice many people have to make. Millions of households across the UK ‘self-disconnect’, turning off the heating to save money. In Berkshire 28,900 households live in fuel poverty. Continue reading Fuel Poverty Awareness Day – 29 November→

Not-for-profit organisations developing local community projects are being offered the opportunity to apply for a grant of up to £2000. They are interested in projects that improve resilience within the community. This can include sessional activities/respite support, equipment for sessional activities, trips and residential breaks. They are also interested in new approaches and innovative ideas as well as sustainable approaches to supporting your community. They do not fund running costs or continuation of existing and ongoing work. Continue reading Greggs Foundation Community Grants open for application from 1 December→

Reading Borough Council Library Services have previously advertised spaces at Tilehurst library and Battle library for potential co-location with partners. This was previously on a zero rent but on the proviso that partners would be present at certain hours to help with single staffing the libraries involved. They are now looking at changing the approach to a straight lease model with a service charge. Continue reading Co-location opportunities at Battle and Tilehurst libraries for voluntary and community groups→

Have you seen the new What’s On Reading website (https://whatsonreading.com), which aims to provide the most extensive listings guide for arts, culture and heritage events in the town? What’s On Reading is co-produced by Reading UK and Reading Arts and Venues, and welcomes event listings from organisations of all kinds. Read more detailed information about the criteria for listing events on the site or find out more about the website’s aims at https://whatsonreading.com/about-us/our-mission. Continue reading What’s On Reading website – new guide to arts, culture and heritage events→

This year, Reading Voluntary Action are hosting Christmas gift collections on behalf of Reading Family Aid and the Royal Berkshire Hospital’s Giving Tree. As part of their Toys and Teens Appeal, Reading Family Aid are looking for new or ‘as new gifts’ suitable for those aged 0-16, to pass on to disadvantaged children in Reading and The Royal Berkshire Hospital’s Giving Tree appeal is collecting gifts for patients who will be in hospital over Christmas. Continue reading Christmas gift collections at RVA→

The Great Get Together is back this winter and they’d love for you to be part of it and to share some #mincepiemoments in your community! Jo Cox was passionate about building kinder communities and ensuring everyone feels a sense of belonging. However, over 9 million of us in the UK currently feel lonely and it’s in all of our power to change this. As the days get colder, it’s time to make your community a bit warmer. Continue reading Making your community warmer this winter→