Category Archives: News

Silver Sunday: Changing the story around loneliness

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Changing the story around loneliness with a day of free, fun events for older people across the UK. This year Silver Sunday will take place on 6 October 2019, so with 7 months to go it’s a perfect time to start planning. If you have an idea and want help to develop it, find funding for it and volunteers to help you, please get in touch with Rhiannon Stocking-Williams at ready.friends@rva.org.uk. Continue reading Silver Sunday: Changing the story around loneliness→

What would you do to make the NHS better in Reading?

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The NHS in Reading is changing, and it needs your help. The Government is investing an extra £20bn a year in the NHS until 2023. You can help decide how that money should be spent in our local NHS. Please take part in a short survey at www.healthwatch.co.uk/what-would-you-do today. Healthwatch Reading will also be holding in-depth focus groups over the next eight weeks to gather your thoughts, views and stories about what matters most. Continue reading What would you do to make the NHS better in Reading?→

Reading on Thames Festival – input wanted on events and activities

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Preparations for the 2019 Reading Thames Festivals are in full flow, and we’re very keen to understand the kinds of events and activities that local people enjoy, if they’d like to participate, and how best to let them know about what’s happening. With our colleagues at the University of Reading, we have created a short survey, which is open until Sunday 24 March 2019. Continue reading Reading on Thames Festival – input wanted on events and activities→

Listen, support, connect – celebrating Social Prescribing Day 2019

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The first International Social Prescribing Day is on Thursday 14 March 2019. RVA are joining patients, GPs, community groups and other voluntary organisations in the UK and across the world, in highlighting the importance and significance of Social Prescribing in health and social care. Age UK Berkshire and Reading Voluntary Action are celebrating by raising the profile of Social Prescribing in local GP surgeries. Continue reading Listen, support, connect – celebrating Social Prescribing Day 2019→

Reading Volunteer Awards 2019 – nominations now open!

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Reading Voluntary Action is delighted to announce that we are now accepting nominations for the third annual Reading Volunteer Awards. Every day volunteers are making a positive difference in the lives of individuals, groups and communities throughout Reading. As in previous years, we will be hosting an awards evening to coincide with Volunteers’ Week 1-7 June, celebrating those in our community who volunteer their time, talents and skills for the benefit of our town. Continue reading Reading Volunteer Awards 2019 – nominations now open!→

The Lion’s Den community grant scheme is back

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Reading Lions will be holding their next Lion’s Den community grant event on the 12 June 2019. Their aim is to reach out to small groups and charities in Reading and award grants for local community projects. They will be distributing grants of up to £750 each. If you are involved in a local community project here in Reading or are a small local charity then this could be your opportunity to obtain one of the grants. Continue reading The Lion’s Den community grant scheme is back→

Intergenerational schemes to reduce loneliness and social isolation

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Reading’s Loneliness and Social Isolation steering group is keen to hear from any older people’s services, local care homes, and voluntary and community groups that may already be delivering such a scheme – or are interested in doing so. Members of the steering group would like to gain more insight into what’s worked well, and perhaps not so well, and whether there are opportunities for older and younger Reading residents to benefit from new initiatives. Continue reading Intergenerational schemes to reduce loneliness and social isolation→

Thinking of holding a street party? Free road closures available this summer

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To ensure that everybody enjoys celebrating their Big Lunch, this year the council is giving you the opportunity to hold a street party on one of three weekends in the summer. The weekends are 1-2 June, 22-23 June or 6-7 July. The first weekend is the official Big Lunch weekend and the last two weekends have been added by popular demand for the Great Get-Together. Continue reading Thinking of holding a street party? Free road closures available this summer→

Take part in research at the University of Reading

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This project explores what factors other than language influence how we communicate. Specifically, we assess how different conversation partners affect the way in which people communicate. This study will help research on communication in people with and without brain impairments and may help people with acquired brain injury in the future. For more information, please email Willemijn Doedens at w.j.doedens@pgr.reading.ac.uk. Continue reading Take part in research at the University of Reading→

Courier fraud in Reading – advice from Thames Valley Police

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Elderly and vulnerable residents in Reading Police Area have been targeted by courier fraudsters. Courier fraudsters phone and trick victims into handing over their bank cards and associated PIN (number) to a courier that arrives at their home. Thames Valley Police are calling on friends and family to help tackle the problem by talking to elderly or vulnerable friends and relatives. If you receive this type of call, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Continue reading Courier fraud in Reading – advice from Thames Valley Police→