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Reading Voluntary Action is delighted to announce that we are now accepting nominations for the fourth annual Reading Volunteer Awards. The awards evening celebrates those in our community who volunteer their time, talents and skills for the benefit of our town. Nominations can be made by those working or volunteering in local not-for-profit organisations, those who have benefited directly from the work of a volunteer, or members of the general public. Continue reading Reading Volunteer Awards 2020 – individual nominations now open!→

There’s still time to register as a good cause in time for the public launch of Reading Community Lottery on 28 February 2020. Reading Community Lottery is a weekly online lottery. Funds raised go to good causes that benefit the communities in the area of Reading. 60p from every £1 ticket goes to local charities and good causes. Continue reading Be part of Reading Community Lottery – register as a good cause in time for the public launch→

A New £100,000 fund to support small community groups in Reading deliver local projects is being proposed, as part of the Council’s new three year Medium Term Financial Plan. The details of the how the fund will operate are still being worked up, but the intention is that small community groups or organisations in the town which are delivering projects that benefit local communities, will be able to bid for a grant of up to £5,000 each. Continue reading New £100k RBC fund to support small community groups→

On a very cold but beautifully sunny Saturday morning recently, RVA’s Community Journalist Simone Illger met up with Mental Health Mates Reading at Christchurch Bridge. Mental Health Mates Reading is part of a UK-wide peer support group organising walks and talks for those affected by mental illness, including their families, children, friends and dogs. The group meet twice a month for around an hour’s walk followed by a cuppa, at two or three venues in and around Reading. Continue reading Community journalism: Walk, talk and share with Mental Health Mates Reading→

The Prince’s Trust have partnered up with Readipop this February to deliver a Get Started with Music programme. This is a week long programme giving young people ages 16-25 the opportunity to take part in creative music workshops like drumming and vocals, music performance, music production and much more, while working in groups towards performing their very own showcase gig for family and friends at the end of the week. Continue reading The Prince’s Trust – Get Started with Music→

The lottery will be launched to the general public at the end of the month, with ticket sales going live on Friday 28 February and the first draw taking place on Saturday 28 March. If you would like to send supporters to your own Reading Community Lottery page on www.readingcommunitylottery.co.uk in time for the very first draw, then please make your application via the website by Friday 21 February. Continue reading Countdown to Reading Community Lottery ticket sales going live→

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England recently published draft recommendations for new wards, ward boundaries and ward names for Reading Borough Council. They are now inviting comments on those recommendations. They are encouraging everyone who has a view on the draft recommendations to contact them, whether you support them or whether you wish to propose alternative arrangements. Continue reading Have your say on ward boundaries for Reading Borough Council→

Reading Voluntary Action and Reading Neighbourhoods Network are delighted to be working in partnership with a number of local community associations, to deliver four more free workshops on How to Organise a Street Party in Your Neighbourhood. The free, one-hour sessions will give people the information, resources and ideas they need to run a street party or ‘green space’ event, making the most of the ‘free road closure’ weekends in June and July, 2020. Continue reading Street party workshops across Reading→