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Thu23Jan202011:00 - 13:00Earley Crescent Resource Centre
Warbler Drive, Lower Earley, Reading, RG6 4HB
Stronger Together helps people get into employment or self-employment, or just move closer to either of these goals. Eligible participants can access a wide range of support from 8 partner organisations – from confidence building and career planning, to training and volunteering.
We are delighted to invite you to a showcase event on Thursday 23 January 2020 to find out more about the impact of the project for participants, partners, and employers, and the legacy of the project – opportunities for building on the work of the project when it ends in June 2020. Lunch is included.
This event will be plastic free and there will be prizes for travelling by public transport. The Earley Crescent Centre is easily accessible on Reading Buses route 21 – the stop is Beech Lane.
Free event, but please book at www.eventbrite.co.uk to confirm your place.
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Thu23Jan202013:00 - 15:00Community Place
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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Tue28Jan202010:15 - 13:15Reading Voluntary Action
Third Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading, RG1 3BQ
All voluntary and community groups have a duty to keep their service users safe from harm. This training is for anyone who works or volunteers for a community group or charity in Reading where services are delivered to adults or where staff or volunteers might come into contact with adults who may be at risk of abuse. This incorporates all services to adults, for example if you volunteer at or help run a lunch club, befriending service, peer support session, group sessions or 1:1 advice sessions etc.
Course outcomes - By the end of the course you will be able to:
- Describe circumstances that can make adults vulnerable to abuse
- Recognise possible indicators of abuse
- Respond in line with the safeguarding procedures if abuse is found or suspected
- Report and record appropriately
- Recognise your duty of care to safeguard adults
- Understand the importance of professional boundaries and the consequences of breach
Please book online at www.eventbrite.co.uk. The cost is £10, which includes refreshments and printed materials.
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Wed29Jan202018:30 - 20:30344 Oxford Road
Reading, RG30 1AF
Do you feel as though local services are not meeting their responsibilities towards minority/marginalised groups? The Equalities Alliance working in partnership with the University of Reading aim to produce a ‘Rights-Based Approach to Equality’ report to highlight how effectively local statutory services are fulfilling their responsibilities under the Equalities Act 2010 and Human Rights Act 1998.
We want to consult widely in order to identify themes from within our communities and from individual experiences.
If you are an individual or organisation with concerns that local statutory services are not delivering on their responsibilities, or hold a view to the contrary, we would like to invite you to take part in our focus group.
Also, if you in a professional capacity agree or disagree with the premise, please come along and voice your thoughts, opinions and experiences on the matter.
Refreshments provided
Contact details
Email: info@acre-reading.org
Phone: 01189 510279 -
Thu30Jan202015:30 – 17:00Thames Lido
Napier Road, Reading, RG1 8FR
Reading Voluntary Action are inviting Reading's charities, voluntary organisations and community groups to the launch of Reading Community Lottery. At the launch you can find out how the lottery works, and how your organisation can directly benefit from participating.
There will be presentations about the lottery, refreshments, and plenty of chances to ask questions. The RVA team will be on hand to provide advice and guidance on what you have to do and next steps. You can sign up on the day and be one of the first local organisations to benefit from Reading Community Lottery.
Free event but please register via www.eventbrite.co.uk to confirm your place. You can email readingcommunitylottery@rva.org.uk with any questions.
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Thu30Jan202019:00 StartNew Bridge Nursery
Montague Street, Caversham, Reading, RG4 5AU
The North Reading Safer Neighbourhood Forum brings together voluntary organisations and partners including residents, the neighbourhood police, local authorities, businesses and schools, and assists in planning local neighbourhood policing tasks, based on priorities identified by the community.
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Wed05Feb202010:50 - 12:30Park United Reformed Church
(Large Hall), Palmer Park Avenue, Reading, RG6 1DN
Park Exercise and Dance is 30 years young in January 2020. Come and celebrate with us and enjoy a free class! We are a fun, happy, supportive group of ladies and gentlemen who come together every Wednesday at Park United Reformed Church.
We exercise, learn fun routines and all to keep our bodies physically fit, toned, stretched, mobilised, safe and our minds challenged and sharp and all the while having a lot of fun with plenty of laughter. Long term friendships have been formed and networks established offering support and companionship.
We want to celebrate this landmark date by inviting ladies and gentlemen over 60 to join us for a free class on Wednesday 5 February. This will be a general class of gentle exercise suitable for all abilities. The class will involve a mixture of seated but mainly mobile exercise to music. Present class members will also demonstrate one or two of their favourite routines for you.
Further information
- Arrive around 10:50 for your free session from 11:00 – 12:30 (includes refreshments and time to chat with present class members).
- Easy parking directly opposite in Palmer Park Avenue, buses 17 and 4 stop outside the church on Wokingham Rd (Palmer Park Avenue bus stop).
- Park Church is fully accessible.
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Tue11Feb202010:30 - 12:30Community Place
Third Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BQ.
RVA is delighted to be hosting the February Common Ground event on behalf of Befriending Networks at Community Place, on the top floor of Reading Central Library.
Befriending Networks is a national charity providing training, resources and lots of other support to befriending groups and organisations, large and small.
Common ground meetings run for two hours, the first hour discussing a set theme led by Befriending Networks and the second hour led by participants. This allows participants to raise any barriers they are facing in their project, share good news and best practice as well as network.
Due to current funding, Common Ground meetings are free for all to attend, both members and non-members of Befriending Networks.
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Tue11Feb202017:30 - 20:30Training Room, Community Place
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.
Outcomes of this training are:
- To better understand your role and legal responsibilities as a trustee
- To understand how this role fits with other roles in the charity
- To understand your reporting responsibilities
- To know where to go for help and support
- To feel confident in being an active member of your Board/Committee and helping to achieve your charities purposes
To achieve this we will cover:
- Introduction: ‘Trustee’, ‘Charity’ and legal structures
- Trustee roles and responsibilities: 6 Main Legal Duties
- Policies and Procedures: Which ones? Why do they matter?
- Accounting & Reporting – the essentials
- Essential resources and links to help you on your way
The training is suitable for new and existing trustees and will also give a valuable introduction to anyone thinking of taking on the role. In some small community groups you may refer to yourselves as the Comittee. If you have overall responsibility for your community group, then this course is for you.
Please book online at www.eventbrite.co.uk. The cost is £10, which includes materials. Refreshments are provided.
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Thu13Feb202017:00 - 19:00University of Reading
Meadow Suite, Park House, Reading, RG6 6UA
Chatterbox is a digital startup that connects refugees with universities, businesses and charities and gives them the opportunity to use their language skills and lived experiences as tutors and conversation partners in their native languages. This year the Department of Languages and Cultures and the Centre for Literacy and Multilingualism at the University of Reading have partnered with Chatterbox to offer language students 150 hours of additional conversational classes in a range of languages.
The event will be an opportunity to hear from both the students at the University of Reading and the tutors from Chatterbox, and to explore issues around the theme of migration and languages which are at the core of the research and teaching at the Centre for Multilingualism and at the Department of Languages and Cultures at the University.
A buffet and drinks reception will follow the presentations until 19:00. Free event but please register via www.eventbrite.co.uk as soon as possible to confirm your place.
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Wed19Feb202018:00 - 19:00Whitley Wood Community Centre
Swallowfield Drive, Reading, RG2 8UH
Come along and find out how easy (and cheap!) is it to run a street party in your neighbourhood.
This workshop will cover the following
- Getting started
- Ideas for games and activities
- Getting the neighbours involved
- Food & drink
- Getting permission to close your street (for free) and other legal stuff
Free event, but please book at www.eventbrite.co.uk to confirm your place.
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Thu20Feb202019:00 - 20:30University of Reading
Room G01, Building L022, London Road Campus, Reading, RG1 5AQ
We all recognise how crucial reading is for children to do well at school and later on in the workplace. But what does research tell us about why it’s important, what children and young people should be reading, and what happens if they don’t read? Also what about children and young people who speak a language other than English at home?
Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, bilingual or not, this public lecture from the Centre for Literacy and Multilingualism will have something for you!
Free admission, but please book online at www.reading.ac.uk/15/about/newsandevents/Events/Event832449.aspx to confirm your place.
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Thu27Feb202018:00 - 19:00The Warehouse (behind Wycliffe Baptist Church)
1a Cumberland Road, Reading, RG1 3LB
Come along and find out how easy (and cheap!) is it to run a street party in your neighbourhood.
This workshop will cover the following
- Getting started
- Ideas for games and activities
- Getting the neighbours involved
- Food & drink
- Getting permission to close your street (for free) and other legal stuff
Free event, but please book at www.eventbrite.co.uk to confirm your place.
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Mon02Mar202018:30 - 20:00Reading College
King's Road, Reading, RG1 4HJ
Free workshop run by Talking Therapies that teach strategies to support managing stress, including learning ways to manage worry, feelings of panic and sleep.
To book a place and for more information please phone 03003 652000 or visit the website at www.talkingtherapies.berkshire.nhs.uk.
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Tue03Mar202018:00 - 19:00Battle Library
420 Oxford Road, Reading, RG30 1EE
Come along and find out how easy (and cheap!) is it to run a street party in your neighbourhood.
This workshop will cover the following
- Getting started
- Ideas for games and activities
- Getting the neighbours involved
- Food & drink
- Getting permission to close your street (for free) and other legal stuff
Free event, but please book at www.eventbrite.co.uk to confirm your place.
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Thu05Mar202018:30 - 20:00Katesgrove Children's Centre
Elgar Road (Off Berkeley Avenue), Reading, RG2 0BN
Come along and find out how easy (and cheap!) is it to run a street party in your neighbourhood.
This workshop will cover the following
- Getting started
- Ideas for games and activities
- Getting the neighbours involved
- Food & drink
- Getting permission to close your street (for free) and other legal stuff
Free event, but please book at www.eventbrite.co.uk to confirm your place.
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Wed25Mar202019:00 - 21:00The Oasis
21 Baker Street, Reading, RG1 7XT
The Oxford Road Safer Neighbourhood Forum brings together voluntary organisations and partners including residents, the neighbourhood police, local authorities, businesses and schools, and assists in planning local neighbourhood policing tasks, based on priorities identified by the community.
Contact details
Name: Richard Rowlands
Email: r-oxfordroadsnf@symbolic.net -
Thu26Mar202010:15 - 16:15Reading Voluntary Action
Third Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading, RG1 3BQ
Whether behind the scenes in an administrative roles or working directly with clients, volunteers play a vital role in supporting the work of organisations across our town. For many organisations, without the work of volunteers, it would not be possible for them to deliver the services they provide in the way they do.
Given the central role that volunteers play in allowing organisations to achieve their objectives, it is perhaps surprising that many of those responsible for managing volunteers receive little or no specialised training.
Content: This 1 day interactive session is designed to provide an overview of some of the key aspects to consider when involving volunteers in the work of your organisation, including:
- First steps – a volunteer recruitment checklist.
- Understanding volunteers’ desires – what motivates people to volunteer?
- Standing out from the crowd – promoting your opportunities effectively.
- Welcome aboard – integrating volunteers into your team and managing workloads.
- Keeping it legal – exploring legal aspects of involving volunteers in your work.
- Staying the course – keeping volunteers engaged and adapting to changing circumstances/ needs.
This course is ideally suited to anyone who has responsibility for overseeing the work of volunteers, either as a Volunteer Manager or as part of a more wide reaching role.
Ideal for those new to working with volunteers or for those looking for a refresher, the session will provide opportunities to put theory into practice by giving opportunities to explore your own organisation’s needs.
The cost is £25 for a full day and includes refreshments, a light lunch and materials. Please book online at www.eventbrite.co.uk.
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Thu26Mar202019:00 StartWeller Centre
110 Amersham Road, Caversham, Reading, RG4 5NA
The North Reading Safer Neighbourhood Forum brings together voluntary organisations and partners including residents, the neighbourhood police, local authorities, businesses and schools, and assists in planning local neighbourhood policing tasks, based on priorities identified by the community.
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Mon30Mar202019:00 - 21:00John Madejski Academy
125 Hartland Road, Reading, RG2 8AF
On Monday 30 March, Redeeming Our Communities (ROC) are coming to Whitley and you are invited to join the ROC conversation, which will now be taking place at the John Madejski Academy. It’s free, it’s 2 hours and it’s about your community.
Redeeming Our Communities is a national charity founded in 2004 with over 200 projects throughout the UK. The charity’s main aim is to bring about community transformation by creating strategic partnerships which open up opportunities for crime and disorder reduction and improved community cohesion. This partnership approach has seen crime and anti-social behaviour fall and fresh hope brought to some of the most deprived and challenging areas of the UK, urban and rural alike.
A ROC Conversation is a 2 hour structured community engagement event that brings together local people to celebrate all the good things happening in their community and explore practical ways of achieving more through partnership. We invite:
- Residents
- School and Youth representatives
- Volunteer groups
- Police & Fire Services
- Faith groups
- Councillors and MPs
If you live, work or volunteer in Whitley and surrounding areas you are welcome to join the Conversation (but there are a limited number of available places). If you would like to register for your free place please go to: http://www.roc.uk.com/whitley.
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Tue07Apr202011:00 - 13:00Community Place
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.
Please sign up online if you are planning to join us.