BCF Vital for Berkshire – deadline 10 February 2022

The Spring 2022 round of Vital for Berkshire funding is open to support charities and groups tackling vital needs in Berkshire such as support for young and vulnerable people, poverty and isolation, physical and mental health, and much more. If you are interested in applying for funding, an Eligibility Quiz is available on the website at www.berkshirecf.org/available-funding/vital-for-berkshire-fund, fill in the Quiz to receive a link to an online Application Form. Continue reading BCF Vital for Berkshire – deadline 10 February 2022

Walk-in vaccinations resume at Broad Street Mall

The vaccination centre in Broad Street Mall re-opened for walk-in Covid-19 vaccinations on 10 January 2022. The site, located where the old New Look shop used to be inside Broad Street Mall, is open from 9am to 7pm every day. The walk-in centre offers: -First doses -Second doses -Boosters -Third doses for a weakened immune system (important: if you are attending for a third dose you need to bring your referral letter from a GP or hospital doctor). Continue reading Walk-in vaccinations resume at Broad Street Mall

ABC to Read calls on schools to return volunteers to the classroom

Only 70% of the schools that previously used ABC to Read mentors to support children struggling with their reading have reinstated those volunteers, despite government guidelines clearly stating that such support is allowed. The charity is urging all local primary schools to adhere to government guidance and bring their trained volunteer mentors back into the classroom so that they can give one-to-one support to the children who need it most. Continue reading ABC to Read calls on schools to return volunteers to the classroom

Community Consultation for Quality of Life: can you help?

At the University of Reading’s school of architecture we are involved in a research project called Community Consultation for Quality of Life. The aim of the project is to review approaches to community consultation across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and to provide space for people to have a say in the planning of their city. The project involves us setting up a physical space for community consultation in the Broad Street Mall and an associated digital platform. Continue reading Community Consultation for Quality of Life: can you help?

Compass Recovery College courses for January-April 2022

Compass Recovery College has published its prospectus and course schedule for January to April 2022. Next term sees the college continuing to offer both online and in person health and wellbeing workshops which are free and open to everyone. You can register quickly and easily and find further information on the Compass Recovery College website (www.compassrecoverycollege.uk). Continue reading Compass Recovery College courses for January-April 2022

Winter community food sites 2021

The commitment of Reading’s local community food hubs shines bright this holiday season. Many people across the country continue to struggle to make ends meet, including those in our town. Below is a selection of voluntary community groups working in neighbourhoods across Reading that will be in service over the holidays. Some sites specialise in fresh food collected from supermarkets, cafes, etc; others offer cooked meals; some supply long shelf-life food and other items like toiletries and clothes. Continue reading Winter community food sites 2021

Reading submits city status bid

Reading has submitted its bid for City Status as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022. Designed in consultation with residents, the voluntary sector and the business community, the bid is a celebration of everything Reading which makes it such a great place to live, work and visit, in particular the people, the communities and the spirit which set it apart. The bid document can be found at https://www.reading.gov.uk/citystatusbid. Continue reading Reading submits city status bid

Is your charity or community group looking for storage space?

In view of recent requests for storage space for the sector, RVA is collecting details from groups and charities about what space is required. If your group is looking for storage space, perhaps because you have migrated to more hybrid working with less office space, or if this is a long-standing issue for you, please take 5 minutes to complete the survey below. This will help us to identify what is needed for the sector and to explore some options. Continue reading Is your charity or community group looking for storage space?

Winter Wellbeing campaign

With the cold winter nights now drawing in RBC are encouraging everyone to take a number of steps to stay well over the winter period. We know that the coming weeks will be a difficult time for many of us in our town. Winter can increase isolation, loneliness and causes financial hardship for many people worried about paying increased heating bills. Continue reading Winter Wellbeing campaign

Mental health and wellbeing support for adult asylum seekers

Barnardo’s Boloh Helpline is pleased to announce the expansion of our service to support the mental health and wellbeing of adult asylum seekers across the UK. This project is funded by the Home Office and is in addition to our current service that offers support to children, young people and their parents. The Helpline will offer advice, signposting, emotional support and 8 free sessions of therapy by qualified Barnardo’s therapists. Continue reading Mental health and wellbeing support for adult asylum seekers