Category Archives: Featured

Reading Borough Council has opened Round 1 of its Small Grants Fund 2022/23. £100k is available for community-led activities that support inclusion and connectivity for the most marginalised groups and most vulnerable adults and children in our communities. Individual organisations can apply for up to a £5k grant and 2 or more organisations applying in partnership can apply for up to £10k. Applications should be made using the form available online at www.reading.gov.uk/SmallGrantsFund. Continue reading RBC Small Grants Fund 2022/23→

RBC are inviting local budding photographers to take part in a competition to imaginatively capture Reading’s 4Bs, to help celebrate the 75th anniversary of friendship between Düsseldorf and Reading, with a chance to win a weekend away in Düsseldorf. This competition is open to amateurs and professionals alike, under the theme of the 4Bs – “Beer, Biscuits, Bulbs & Bricks” for which Reading is historically famous. Continue reading Celebrate 75 years of Reading and Düsseldorf friendship→

Thursday 5 May is Reading’s first ‘all-out’ local election in 18 years. There are a number of ways for you to cast your vote in the 2022 Local Elections. You can vote in a polling station, by post, or by appointing someone you trust to vote on your behalf, known as a proxy vote. Polling cards are being posted out to households across the borough. Continue reading Local elections 2022→

Thames Valley Farmers’ Market Co-operative is keen to find a community group that would be willing to cook hot breakfasts at Reading Farmers’ Market as a regular fundraiser. The stall would be free of charge, they would waive the annual fee and they would also be willing to pay for a Level 2 food hygiene certificate. Tables for the stall and bistro chairs and tables for customers would all be provided. Continue reading Farmers’ Market seeks group to cook breakfasts→

Making Every Contact Count (MECC) is an approach to behaviour change that uses the millions of day-to-day interactions that we have with people to support them in making positive changes to their physical and mental health and wellbeing. It supports the delivery of consistent and concise healthy lifestyle information, enabling individuals to engage in conversations about their health. A MECC conversation takes a matter of minutes and is not intended to add to busy workloads. Continue reading Making Every Contact Count: free training in Berkshire West→

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is seeking motivated young people from ethnic backgrounds that are currently under-represented within the workforce, to take part in the Chairman’s Internship Scheme. As RBFRS continues to work towards an inclusive culture of equality and diversity, the Service wants to encourage people who may not have considered a career in the Fire and Rescue Sector to explore some of the many roles available to them. Continue reading Summer Internship Scheme is open for applications→

RBC has been shortlisted for two prestigious awards, recognising exceptional work from its Housing department. Shortly after the council received news from the Local Government Chronicle that it had been shortlisted in the LGC Awards 2022 Housing category, the Municipal Journal revealed that the council was also on the shortlist in the Best Social Housing category at the MJ Awards 2022. Both accolades were in recognition for a bold and innovative project to create modular homes for rough sleepers. Continue reading Double recognition for innovative housing project as council shortlisted for two awards→

Since 2014, the Reading Services Guide has hosted information, advice and guidance on a wide range of topics, as well as listing local services supporting families, children, and adults. This year, we have received approval to refresh the website, this means a new up to date look for the website/directory. We would like to get your views on the proposed refreshed designs of the landing pages of the guide – the Home Page, and the Adult Care landing pages. Continue reading Reading Services Guide refresh – your views wanted→

The Summer 2022 round of Vital for Berkshire fund aims to support charities, community groups and projects that work to tackle the most salient and pressing issues within Berkshire’s communities at any given time. Applications are invited from charities, community groups and projects that support vital needs in Berkshire, such as
physical and mental health, supporting young and vulnerable people or groups, combating isolation, tackling poverty and disadvantage, offering equal opportunities for all, and more. Continue reading BCF: Vital for Berkshire Fund – deadline on 14 April 2022→

Ready Friends is 6 years old this year, and was born out of the need to support local action on loneliness and social isolation. The voluntary and community sector is central to reducing loneliness in Reading and provides an enormous range of opportunities for people to be socially connected and participate in activities that are just right for them. Continue reading Ready Friends survey – have your say→