Category Archives: Featured

RVA is working with the Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality (ACRE) and the University of Reading’s Participation Lab on a research project exploring community perceptions of Reading town centre. We are interested in what you think about the town centre and what could be done to make it more sustainable, inclusive and liveable. The online survey is open until Sunday 5 September 2021 and can be found here: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/readingtowncentre. Continue reading Tell us what you think about Reading town centre – what can be done to make it more sustainable, inclusive and liveable?→

Reading Voluntary Action (RVA) supports and helps voluntary and community groups to start up and thrive, matches volunteers to great opportunities and works together with organisations across Reading to improve the lives of local people. Are you interested in supporting the local voluntary and community sector to thrive and would you like to share your skills, knowledge and experiences on our Trustee Board? Continue reading Empower people with us, become an RVA Trustee!→

Great news for anyone planning to hold a street party this year – Reading Borough Council has confirmed that it will waive its road closure fees for any weekend in September 2021. So if you are planning to hold a small street party and can arrange it for September you can close your road and it won’t cost you a penny! A small street party means one held in only one or two streets and for neighbours only. Continue reading Street parties are back in September!→

This is advance notice to the voluntary and community sector that the formal bidding process through the open market and also through the third sector process for the Caversham Court long leasehold or short-term lease will open on 21 July. Local voluntary organisations are invited to submit their proposals by 12:00 on 17 September 2021. For information and advice on the third sector bidding process please contact RVA’s Advice Service Manager, Herjeet Randhawa by emailing herjeet.randhawa@rva.org.uk. Continue reading Formal bidding process for Caversham Court lease→

Here are a number of activities and events taking place over the summer holidays, for young people, families and adults. -Youth Team Activities -Holiday Activity Fund -Yoga and Pilates with Compass (6 weekly sessions, starting Wednesday 7 July) -Reading For Health with Compass and MERL (6 weekly sessions, from Wednesday 21 July). In many cases, see the attached fliers for full details but links are also provided below. Continue reading Holiday activities for children, families and adults→

Join Nature Nurture and friends for a healthy, happy summer at four locations across Reading aimed at 5–13yr olds: Dee Park, Amersham Road, Southcote and Whitley. There will be loads of activities on offer encouraging your child to learn about nature, get active and stay healthy while being creative and having fun. The perfect way to spend the summer holidays! Not only will your child get a fun-packed day, eligible children will also receive a free healthy lunch. Continue reading Pop-up and play – free summer holiday activities for kids→

Reading Borough Council is encouraging residents to have their say on how they currently use Reading’s Public Rights of Way Network, in a bid to provide a better experience for its users and encourage active travel. The council manages 21 miles of public Rights of Way across the borough, which provide vital connections for many people to access open space and are often used by residents when travelling to work and school. Continue reading Help the council improve Reading’s Public Rights of Way→

Reading Borough Council has launched a consultation on ‘future investment in community support’. Voluntary and community groups have until 25 July 2021 to give their views. Since 2016, the council has focused on ‘narrowing the gap’ between different groups of residents. A number of voluntary and community organisations are now delivering services under funding agreements with the Council which are aimed at tackling poverty, promoting wellbeing, and supporting thriving communities. Continue reading Future investment in community support: RBC consultation open until 25 July 2021→

The UK government is introducing an emergency alert system using mobile phones. In the event of an emergency such as a flood or nuclear accident, the government and emergency services would have the ability to send a push message to mobile phones in a geographic area using cell broadcasting towers (i.e. not through phone networks) to warn the public about danger and advise how to stay safe. The system is being tested in Reading. Continue reading Emergency broadcast alert test in Reading on 29 June 2021→