Category Archives: News

With spring just around the corner, local children are discovering the fun to be had at Reading’s newest transformed playground. The relocated and upgraded Victoria Park, George Street play area opened ahead of schedule in December thanks to a £462,000 investment by Reading Council. The exciting and accessible play area for children aged between 3 years and 12 years will be further complemented by an outdoor gym in time for summer 2025. Continue reading New Victoria Park playground open for play→

The Centre for Literacy and Multilingualism at the University of Reading wants to find out what languages people in Reading speak. Please complete the one-minute survey below (even if you only speak English) and the results will be shared at a public event to celebrate International Mother Language Day. Thank you! Continue reading Languages spoken in Reading – one-minute survey→

Are you up for a challenge that changes lives? Join us in running the Reading Half Marathon on the 23 March 2024 and make a real impact by raising funds for Reading Community Learning Centre (RCLC) and Prostate Cancer research! To register please contact: Dennisha Villaverde at Mayor@reading.gov.uk. Let’s run together for education, health, and hope. Continue reading Run for a cause at the Reading Half Marathon – 23 March 2025→

Residents keen to help Reading’s homeless can now do so effortlessly via the new Tap for Reading initiative launching today. The scheme is designed to ensure donations from the public reach those most in need whilst helping to deter begging on the streets, by encouraging people to change their method and desire to help the homeless by giving at a number of card tap points around the town centre. Continue reading A new way to help Reading’s homeless people→

Reading Council today launched its New Year Just One Thing, campaign encouraging residents to embrace new experiences, uncover and remember the town’s hidden gems, enhance wellbeing and make a positive contribution. Shifting the focus from traditional New Year’s resolutions to forming lasting habits that positively impact residents and the community. Just One Thing 25 tips for 2025, encourages residents to try simple and achievable ideas, spanning health and wellbeing to exploring the town’s culture and green spaces. Continue reading Just One Thing – kickstart a positive 2025 in Reading→

Due to construction work at the Civic Offices, the entrance to the building is moving for at least a year. From 09:00 on 13 January, there will be 2 separate entrances for the public. One is for the Register Office and the other for all other council enquiries, services and visitors. There will be information around the building guiding visitors to the correct entrance. If you are visiting the Civic Centre the main entrance will be on Simmonds Street. Continue reading Change to Civic Offices entrance→

Nominations for the Celebration of Volunteering are now open until midnight Friday 28 February 2025. Do you know of a University of Reading student, staff member, or alumni who goes above and beyond as a volunteer? Nominate them now for a Celebration of Volunteering award. The Celebration of Volunteering event will then bring together colleagues, students, alumni and community partners to award, showcase and celebrate those who have shown their dedication to volunteering on campus or in their local community. Continue reading University of Reading Celebration of Volunteering 2025 – Nominations Open!→

Reading Voluntary Action is considering collaborating with partners to hold a Volunteer Fair in Reading later this year. RVA are keen to canvas groups on interest in such an event and when and how it can be delivered to fit the needs of as many groups as possible. RVA would be grateful if you could take a moment to complete the short questionnaire found below to allow them to gauge interest in a fair and how it can best be organised. Continue reading Reading Volunteer Fair 2025→

To complement Reading’s Voluntary and Community Sector Survey 2024, Reading Voluntary Action has put together a survey to gather public awareness and perceptions of local charities. The short survey explores residents’ awareness of the hundreds of charities and community groups working across our town. It also gathers views on their experiences of benefiting from local services and on feelings of trust towards local charities and community groups. Continue reading Public awareness of local voluntary organisations survey→

Local residents are being invited to help choose the design for the popular play area at Emmer Green Recreation Ground, as part of the Council’s ongoing major investment in playgrounds across the town. £350,000 is being invested in Emmer Green Recreation Ground with the play equipment being upgraded to create a new, exciting and accessible play area for children aged between 3 years and 12 years. Residents can have their say on a shortlist of two possible designs at www.emmergreenplayground.commonplace.is. Continue reading New Emmer Green play area – have your say→