Events

Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BQ

Reading Central Library is holding the next Welcome to Reading Coffee Morning on Saturday 30 September from 11:00 to 13:00.

If you are new to Reading or have lived here a while, please come and join us for a free and friendly cuppa.

This month it is an opportunity to meet organisations and find out more about their services in a sociable atmosphere.

We look forward to meeting you!

Broad Street, Reading RG1 7QE

Reading will be celebrating National Older People’s Day on Monday 2 October 2023 with a free fun packed event at Broad Street Mall highlighting the contribution older people make to the Reading community.

Older People’s Day coincides with the UN International Day of Older Persons. The main aim for the day is to be a celebration of the achievements and contributions that older people make to our society and the economy. Older People’s Day supports the campaign to challenge negative attitudes and outdated stereotypes.

The selected theme for Older People’s Day 2023 in Reading is ‘Ageing Well Together’. Reading is a vibrant town with a rich array of local services that support residents, come along and find out how they can help you:

• Reading U3A
• Age UK Berkshire
• Age UK Reading
• Public Health & Wellbeing Team
• Winterwatch Service
• Reading Voluntary Action
• Get Berkshire Active
• Berkshire Vision
• Older People Mental Health Team
• Healthwatch Reading – The Advocacy People
• Thames Valley Pensioner Service
• Blandy & Blandy Solicitors
• South Reading Patient Voice
• The Crown Prosecution Service
• Sheltered Housing
• Firtree/Tilehurst Welfare Community Group
• Reading Community Learning Centre
• SSE network – Priority Registers
• GLL Sports & Leisure
• Oddfellows
• Readibus
• Citizens Advice Reading
• Silvers Workshop
• Bowling Club – outdoor and indoor
• Macular Support Group
• Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service
• Talking Therapies

Royal Berkshire Hospital will also be offering free blood pressure and wellbeing checks on the day.
The programme will include:

09:30 Market place of local service providers opens
10:00 Opening remarks by The Mayor of Reading
11:00 Bowling demonstration
12:30 Singing for pleasure by Age UK Berkshire
13:30 First Aid Skills and CPR demonstration

Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BQ

This Ready Friends Befriending Forum will focus on how we support and care for our volunteers and staff, preventing burnout and enhancing retention. This will be the first Forum held in real life since December 2019!

Agenda

• Welcome, introductions and event outcomes
• Presentations by local VCOs
• Small groups workshop and feedback
• Forthcoming training, voluntary sector updates, news etc
• Additional networking time

Plus lots of useful materials to take away.

Please register at www.eventbrite.co.uk to book your place.

London Street, Reading RG1 4PS

An opportunity for voluntary and community groups to come together to explore social issues that impact on the people of Reading.

Join us to hear: How to engage with and influence your local statutory organisations e.g. Reading Borough Council, NHS, primary care. Who are they? How are they governed? How can you and your organisation connect?

Join us to participate: Opportunities for your organisation to shape and participate in a VCS inclusion strategy for Reading.

Plus refreshments, information and networking.

Free event, but please register at www.eventbrite.co.uk to confirm your place.

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

Are you a small community group based in Reading and mainly volunteer run?

If yes, this network is for you. It is an opportunity for you to learn, share and grow stronger together with other similar groups and access support from Reading Voluntary Action and partners.

The topic for this session will be getting ready for funding and we will cover:

• What policies your group needs to have, including some examples and information about First Steps towards Safe and Sound. This will help you get ahead of the game when applying for funding.
• Introduction to Reading 4 Community Funding Portal from RBC – Bikal Shrestha (Funding Officer) from RBC will give a demonstration of the portal. This will help your group find funding opportunities.

We will also have our usual networking and opportunity for you to share your news and events.

This session will take place in-person in our training room, Third floor, Reading Central Library.

Free event, but please book online at www.eventbrite.co.uk to confirm your place. We hope to see you there.

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

Are you a charity or community group looking for space to run your activities or services, or do you have space within your building that you would like to hire out, lease or offer to others?

Then come along to our next Community Buildings Forum on 29 November 2023.

This session will include:

• Opportunity to hear about available space in the town
• Health and Safety when managing a building
• Networking with other groups

Free event, but please book online at www.eventbrite.co.uk to confirm your place.