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Tue22Jan201909:00 - 12:30Reading Town Hall
Blagrave Street, Reading RG1 1QH
Market Place opportunity for voluntary organisations providing support and activities in Reading for children, young people and/or their families.
An early opportunity to market your organisation to the social care teams under the new governance of Brighter Futures for Children.
If this is relevant for your organisation please register online at www.eventbrite.co.uk to book your place as soon as possible.
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Tue22Jan201910:00 - 15:00Broad Street Mall
Broad Street, Reading RG1 7QE
As part of Big Energy Saving Week, Citizens Advice Reading, Winter Watch and Draught Busters will be in Broad Street Mall, sharing information on how to cut the cost of gas and electricity in the home.
If you want to find out anything about your gas and electricity bills we can help. Whether it’s finding out about grants for insulation, or switching from one supplier to another, dealing with damp and condensation, or the pros and cons of smart meters, whether it’s cheaper to wash up by hand or by dishwasher, or understanding how to set the timer on your boiler, or anything else about your energy supply, come and see us. We will answer your questions, give you information to take home with you, and, if necessary, arrange appointments with Citizens Advice Reading’s Energy Team, with Winter Watch or with Draught Busters.
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Sun27Jan201911:30 - 16:00Great Expectations Hotel
33 London Street, Reading RG1 4PS
Come along and find out about LETS (Local Exchange Trading System) Come and meet LETS members over a cuppa. We trade with each other for "Bricks" - for instance someone may need their computer fixing or you may need your lawn mowing. You will need to have offers and wants ready for joining!
Well we all have things we want don't we? We all have things to offer - our skills, sewing, gardening, material things we don't need; we could feed a cat, water a garden, take away rubbish, offer transport - the list is endless. LETS is about supporting each other without money and socialising and working together.
So do join us on Saturday 27 January in The Christmas room at The Great Expectations Hotel, we look forward to meeting you!
For details please contact Annemarie on 07542 405383.
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Wed30Jan201918:30 - 21:00St Laurence Church
Friar Street, Reading RG1 1DA
Beat the January Blues. Join us for the first Reading Soup of 2019 with inspiring Community Projects, sweet Live Music, stunning Art and tasty vegan Soups!
How Reading SOUP works:
-Pay £5 entry and get a warm bowl of soup
-Local Groups & Projects Pitch about their work to the crowd
-The crowd vote for their favourite Project
-The Project with the most votes wins ALL of the door moneyDoors open at 18:30 and the main event starts at 19:00. Find out more on the website at www.readingsoup.com.
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Thu31Jan201919:00 - 21:00Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
280 Meadway, Tilehurst, Reading RG30 4PE
The Reading branch of Berkshire Family History Society start their 2019 monthly meetings, on Thursday 31 January, when Mike Swaddling will be giving a talk entitled Telling Tales: bringing the past to life.
After retirement Mike was able to follow up an idea inspired by his father's memoirs to help retired people with their reminiscences. Over ten years he visited retirement homes and recorded first-hand stories of lives stretching back almost a hundred years. The stories are as varied as human nature itself, and in his talks he brings a handful of them to life in entertaining fashion and with lots of humour. He will also share some of the techniques he learned on how to get people to talk about their past lives.
Doors open at 19:00 for a 19:45 start. All are welcome – free entry, but donations gratefully received. We hope to see you there.
For more information see the Society website at www.berksfhs.org.uk.
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Tue12Feb201917:30 - 20:30Reading Voluntary Action
Third Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BQ
Trustees play an essential role in our society, making our charity sector work. It’s a hugely rewarding role but it’s not always easy to get all the information you require to be sure you are carrying out your role as effectively as possible. This training will help give you an overview of what’s expected of trustees as well as providing a networking opportunity with your fellow trustees from the area.
The areas covered are will include:
- Basic structure of a voluntary organisation
- Trustee duties and liability
- Trustee Roles
- Choosing/understanding your organisation’s structure
- Your constitution
- Reporting
- Organisational policies
The training is suitable for new and existing trustees and will also give a valuable introduction to anyone thinking of taking on the role. You will leave with an improved knowledge of what the position entails along with how to limit any liability you might face.
Register at www.eventbrite.co.uk to book your place.
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Thu14Feb201908:45 - 12:00The Green Park Conference Centre
100 Longwater Avenue, Green Park, Reading RG2 6GP
Please join us at our 2019 Employment Law Seminar to keep-up-to date with recent and emerging changes in Employment Law, to minimise risks to your business, and to network with fellow professionals.
This seminar might be of interest to charities and community groups with employees as well.
The is a free event, but please register at www.eventbrite.co.uk in advance to confirm your place or for more information contact david.lamont@blandy.co.uk by email.
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Sun17Feb201912:30 - 16:30rLab
Unit C1, Weldale Street, Reading RG1 7BX
Bring along your broken items and get help to repair them. The team of volunteers will be able to help repair a wide range of items including:
- Electronics
- Mechanical items
- Computers (hardware/software)
- Toys/Furniture
- Clothing/textiles
- Tool sharpening
Additionally, if you have something you are making or a craft project you are stuck with, why not bring it along and one of the repairers can give you a hand to get on the right track!
Repair Cafe is a free event but donations are welcome to help keep it going. As well as repairs, you can pop in for a cuppa and homemade cake.
Email repaircafe@transitionreading.org.uk if you have any questions or would like to get involved.
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Tue19Feb201912:30 - 16:15Reading Central Library
Third Floor, Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BQ
Following the success of the 2018 Let’s Make Reading Friendlier conference, RVA is pleased to announce the first Befriending Forum event of 2019, on Tuesday 19 February at the Community Hub in Reading Central Library.
Lunch and networking at 12:30 will be followed by:
- A presentation from The Jo Cox Foundation
- A workshop by The Jo Cox Foundation on How to Organise a Street Party
- A RBC/RVA workshop on Finding Out What’s on in Reading
- Exploring a common volunteer training programme
- An update on the Ready Friends project
The event is for anyone from local communities, groups and organisations interested in helping reduce loneliness and social isolation in Reading. Register at www.eventbrite.co.uk to book your place.
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Thu28Feb201910:00 - 16:00The Calcot Centre
Highview, Reading RG31 4XD
This fun, energetic, free course introduces you to community organising. This whole day training event is facilitated by independent charity Community Council for Berkshire (CCB) and run by community organisers.
What is community organising?
Community organising is the work of bringing people together to take action around their common concerns and overcome social injustice. Community organisers reach out and listen, connect and motivate people to build their collective power. When people are organised, communities get heard and power begins to shift creating real change for good.What does the course cover?
This one-day course is an introduction to community organising as a process which can reach out and bring people together to form stronger relationships and develop community activities together. During this course you will explore:- What community organising is
- The importance of listening to build relationships and uncover issues
- Power in communities and why it matters
- How to motivate people to take action
- How to take your next steps in community organising and social action.
This course is free to attend but places are limited so a £10 administration fee will be charged if you fail to attend the course. To book your place please complete the online form on the website at https://ccb2017.wordpress.com.
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Tue19Mar201910:30 - 12:30Elevate Hub
Third Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BQ
Join us for our regular Volunteer Coordinators’ Network meeting facilitated by Reading Voluntary Action.
You will have a chance to contribute to the agenda ahead of time so that we can make sure your issue or concern can be given some attention, as well as having the opportunity to seek peer support in a confidential space from others in a similar role.
The format is pretty informal RVA provides the tea and coffee. Feel free to bring your sandwich and eat with us if it helps your day along. You don’t need to stay for the whole event – we know everyone’s busy.
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Wed03Apr201910:15 - 13:15Reading Voluntary Action
Third Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BQ
If you are new to the role of treasurer for a charity, if you would like a refresher of the role, or if you would simply like to find out more about being a treasurer, this course is for you. If you aren’t yet volunteering as a treasurer but would like to, RVA can then help place you with an organisation to put your new skills into practice.
Aims of the workshop
- To build an understanding of the role of a treasurer in a small voluntary organization
- To ensure the ability to deal with the specifics of the finances of a small voluntary organization
- To give confidence about the issues that are likely to be faced by a treasurer of a small voluntary organisation
Learning outcomes - The content covered will be tailored depending on the needs of delegates on the day. However typically attendees will:
- Understand their financial responsibilities as trustees
- Understand the particular requirements for the accounts of a small voluntary organisation
- Be aware of corporate governance issues facing small voluntary organisations
- Be ready to resolve issues with record keeping and know where to get help if they need it
- Be able to determine if the organisation they volunteer with needs an audit or independent examination of their accounts
The workshop will be open to up to 12 delegates. It will be aimed primarily at new volunteers who wish to act as treasurers in Reading’s voluntary sector, but will also be suitable for volunteers who are stepping up to the role of treasurer.
The course is at our reduced rate of £50 for Reading based charities and community groups. There are a limited number of FREE places for RNN members using the usual promotional code - please contact us at info@rgneighbours.net if you need this code.
Please register at www.eventbrite.co.uk.