Category Archives: News

Beat The Street turns whole communities into a giant activity competition. The popular interactive game encourages communities to move more and to make small lifestyle changes, such as walking or cycling to school or work every day. Players can join school, community, or workplace teams to win prizes for the furthest travel. There’s also an individual leader board, spot prizes, and the chance to help local charities win cash rewards. Continue reading Popular interactive game Beat The Street returns to Reading→

Are you a new charity looking to establish a brand identity but lacking the resources to do so? Or are you a not-for-profit in need of a brand refresh or re-positioning and would welcome some input from students at the University of Reading? The University will be holding a structured six-week ‘design-thinking brand jam’ with Part 3 Typography and design students in February to March 2025, working exclusively with not-for-profits and social enterprises. Continue reading The Branding Project from the University of Reading – open for applications→

Reading All-Bus was introduced in March 2023 after the Council secured funding from the Department for Transport for its Bus Service Improvement Plan. Since then, more than 2.5 million Reading All-Bus tickets have been sold. The all day ticket, which can be used on services operated by several bus companies in the greater Reading area, has saved passengers more than £4 million in total over the last 18 months. Continue reading Reading All-Bus ticket continues to offer excellent value travel→

The last few years have seen unprecedented upheavals and challenges across the UK and beyond. The Voluntary and Community sector has been at the forefront of the responses to these challenges and continues to be so today. Reading’s Voluntary and Community Sector Survey 2024 aims to enhance understanding of the makeup of our vibrant and diverse voluntary and community sector and the challenges it faces. Continue reading Reading’s Voluntary and Community Sector Survey 2024→

Nominations for The King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2025 are now open. This is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK and is Continue reading The King’s Award For Voluntary Service 2025→

Every September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are free to explore. There are plenty of events to go to and historic places to see in the Reading area – including museum and archive tours, local history and heritage walks, open days at historic houses, gardens, churches and other venues, and much more. Continue reading Heritage Open Days 2024→

The PCC Thames Valley Community Fund is an opportunity for community and voluntary groups to get involved and assist both the PCC and Thames Valley Police in tackling and reducing crime. Funding comes from the proceeds from the sale of items seized from criminals that cannot be returned to their rightful owner. Its purpose is to support voluntary and community groups that can help to prevent crime and keep communities safe. This fund is open for applications twice a year. Continue reading PCC Thames Valley Community Fund – Deadline 9 September 2024→

So many wonderful unique communities make up the town of Reading. We’re celebrating every inch of the borough by telling stories via our residents about seven local areas surrounding our libraries – hubs of the local community that provide services which span the generations and embrace the diversity of local populations. Your South Reading is the third of our communities to be featured and includes the Cowsey, Whitley Community Café, Fobney Island Nature Reserve, Reading FC Community Trust and more. Continue reading Your South Reading→

Work has begun on Reading’s Climate Emergency Strategy for 2025–2030. Reading’s current Climate Emergency Strategy and Action Plan (which covers the period 2020–2025) is nearing its end. RCAN has dedicated 2024 – Reading’s Year of Climate Engagement – to bringing people together to shape climate action priorities for our next plan, for 2025–2030. Continue reading Have your say on our town’s climate action priorities→

Reading Borough Council have now commenced the 8-week bidding process for the release of the freehold Central Library premises subject to planning. This is being concurrently released to the local voluntary sector and on the open market via Savills for bids. Local voluntary organisations are invited to submit their subject to planning proposals by 12:00 on 11 September 2024. Continue reading Formal bidding process open for the Reading Central Library freehold premises→