Category Archives: News

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→

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 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→

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?→

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→

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→

We’ve updated our information page with links to information about getting Covid-19 and flu vaccinations in Reading this winter. Access it via the link below or via the RVA homepage. As we get more updates, for example, dates for the Health on the Move Van or community venues, we will add them here: www.rva.org.uk/vaccine-rollout. Continue reading Voluntary sector vaccine support – helpline and information page→

Last year was a challenging time for the whole world and our county. The GBA Awards recognised the fantastic contribution of local individuals and organisations to the mental and physical wellbeing of Berkshire residents. The ‘Berkshire physical activity lockdown hero’, a campaign celebrating the GBA Awards’ winners, united residents, communities and activity providers around the joy and importance of physical activity, keeping spirits high during the winter lockdown. Continue reading 10th GBA Awards – nominate your Berkshire Physical Activity Hero now→

This winter, it’s more important than ever to get your flu vaccination and take up the offer of the Covid-19 booster jab, if you are eligible. More people are likely to get flu this winter as fewer people will have built up natural immunity to it during the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns. Making sure you get your flu jab as well as both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine and the booster jab will help protect you and those around you. Continue reading Have you had your flu vaccination and Covid-19 booster?→