Events

Blagrave Street, Reading RG1 1QH

Reading's Vegan Festival is a celebration of all things vegan. It's an opportunity for anyone who wants to find out more, to try food, hear inspirational and informative speakers, find out what a range of local and national charities do and find out more about the range of ethical and cruelty free products that are out there.

Expect to see stalls selling vegan hot and cold food, makeup, perfume, clothing, tea and coffee. We are expanding our workshops and demos this year, plus we have the hugely popular face-painting and story time for all kids big and small.

The festival festival will take place in the Town Hall, as well as St Laurence's Church, and with a street food market in Market Place.

The event is free so it's accessible for everyone, whether you're already vegan, curious about veganism or had never given it a thought in your life before!

2 Church Street, Reading RG1 2SB

An information and advice session aimed at those age 65+, covering areas such as: paying for care, benefit eligibility and planning for later life.

This is a free event in an accessible venue and refreshments will be supplied. The event is supported by the NatWest Skills and Development Fund.

Please contact the Age UK Berkshire office on 01189 594242 or email info@ageukberkshire.org.uk to book your place.

Reading RG1 3BB

Reading Town Meal is a truly community-powered event. All the food is donated by the wonderful growers and allotment holders around Reading, cooked by Reading College students, and served free in Forbury Gardens. The aim is to promote sustainable food production, educating people about the provenance and environmental impacts of food production.

Alongside the food, there are fun activities for kids and adults, workshops and local food producers. Community groups will set out their stalls and music from local bands will keep the tempo going all afternoon.

Find out more at www.readingtownmeal.org.uk.

Broad Street, Reading RG1 7Q3

Reading is celebrating the UN’s Older People’s Day on Monday 1 October 2018,with a fun-filled day at Broad Street Mall. The annual free event celebrates the contribution of older people to our communities. The festivities will start at 10:00, with a welcome from the Mayor of Reading, Councillor Debs Edwards, and continue until 15:00.

This will be followed by a range of interactive activities throughout the day including:

• Singing, dancing and Tai Chi
• Art and craft workshop
• Acting and writing workshops
• A relaxed hour-long guided history walk around Reading Abbey Ruins starting at 12:00 (weather permitting). Places can be booked via Reading Museum’s stall on the day of the event.
• A walk around the new Lavender Garden on the old Civic Centre site

There will also be information and advice available from around 40 local organisations.

The focus for this year is ‘bringing people together’, connecting people from diverse cultures and backgrounds to other communities and to local services. The event will be an opportunity for older people, those reaching retirement age and those with concerns about older parents and neighbours. Come along to find out about activities and opportunities that can help keep you well and connected to your community. Invite your friends and anyone you know who might benefit.

For further information, please download the publicity flyer here, email opwg@reading.gov.uk or call 01189 372383.

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, and 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.

Free registration at rvaforms.wufoo.eu/forms.

Northumberland Avenue, Whitley, Reading RG2 8DD

An ambitious initiative to improve the city’s mental health by making knowledge of psychology widespread is to be launched this October with two screenings of the ground-breaking documentary Resilience.

The initiative will aim to spread ‘trauma-informed’ knowledge to frontline professionals in key sectors, as well as the general public. ‘Trauma-informed’ refers to a person or service that is aware of how traumatic experiences in childhood, like abuse or neglect, can affect the brain and how best to work with people who have experienced this.

Anyone who has had mental health issues, or knows anyone who has been excluded from school or been in jail for anti-social behaviour, may be interested to learn how what has happened in childhood can affect many aspects of life in later years. We need to be asking ‘What happened to you?’ not ‘What’s wrong with you?’

The film Resilience not only explains the science behind this, but also chronicles how a movement in the United States has successfully integrated this knowledge into various services, savings hundreds of millions of dollars and helping tens of thousands of people.

Please register at www.eventbrite.co.uk for a free place.

Third Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BQ

Join RVA for their Annual General Meeting 2018.

This year the theme is Social Action for Reading. Hear inspiring community stories from the RVA team and the organisations we work with.

-09:30 Breakfast and networking
-10:00 to 11:30 AGM and meeting

Please register online at www.eventbrite.co.uk to let us know you will be coming.

The library will open at 10:00 so access to the AGM will be through the backdoor to the Central Library – follow the signs.

Conference Hall, 35-39 London Street, Reading RG1 4PS

This annual event is hosted by the Mayor of Reading, Debs Edwards.

Together, we will think about our theme ‘Breath of Life – How we pray and meditate.’ There will be an opportunity for networking and informal discussion around the theme, as well as some central exchanges and performances by the faith communities in Reading.

Food will be provided, with Noah’s Pudding as the special desert. This desert is traditionally prepared and shared with neighbours during the Muslim Festival of Ashura.

Everyone is welcome, we are looking forward to meeting you!

35-39 London Street, Reading RG1 4PS

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.