Events

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.

Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BQ

This is an exhibition of artwork created by clients attending Churches in Reading Drop in Centre. Its purpose is to display to the general public the variety of drawings, paintings, sculpture and poetry that has been produced over a period of time by people experiencing hardship in the form of homelessness, unemployment, mental illness, addiction etc. It is a tribute to the talent and artistic abilities of those who may feel on the margins of society.

The exhibition will run from 17 September to 28 September 2019, in Central Library’s Holy Brook Gallery, during the library’s normal opening hours.

Shilling Close, Tilehurst, Reading RG30 4EN

This is a fully inclusive seated exercise group for older adults with a focus on keeping active and staying social. It is based within our extra care housing scheme, but open to members of the community. Sessions run term-time and include around 45-60 minutes of activities such as stretches, parachute activities and gentle movement games.

The sessions are suitable for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility. We are wheelchair accessible with parking available and easy bus route access. The session finishes with tea and coffee and the chance to chat with others.

Contact details
Email: gail.borrows@gmail.com
Phone: 07932 188129

25 Whiteknights Road, Reading RG6 7BY

We believe that gardening is good for health and wellbeing. Come and find out about the gardening opportunities for you or your clients at our launch event at the Ridgeline Trust Therapeutic Gardens.

Reading Gardening for Health and Wellbeing Network is a collaboration of over 10 community gardens and horticultural therapy groups in the Greater Reading area.

For more information about this event please email rgfhwn@gmail.com.

Church Road, Caversham, Reading RG4 7AD

Guided tours of the beautiful riverside gardens and the listed 17th century summer house give a unique glimpse into the history of the house that once stood on the site, of the families who lived there, and of the history of Caversham and its links with Reading across the Thames.

Sensory tours for visually or hearing impaired people are available on request, run by experienced guides from the Friends of Caversham Court Gardens.

Families can also follow an architectural trail which takes them on a fascinating journey of exploration and discovery around the summer house. The activities along the trail will engage the youngest ones and even adults will look at the building in a different way.

For further information please email friends@fccg.org.uk.

2 Church Street, Reading RG1 2SB

Councillor Tony Jones will talk about the future of Social Care in Reading as we move to further integration of health and social care under the Berkshire West Integrated Care partnership. There will be opportunity for discussion and questions. We also discuss local healthcare news and reports from local GP practice Patient Participation Groups.

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

Anyone interested in reducing loneliness and social isolation is welcome at the next Befriending Forum on Thursday 26 September.

The focus of this event is on how to show the impact of your work – to funders, the public, beneficiaries and to your own volunteers and staff.

The agenda includes:

• A networking lunch
• A presentation by the national organisation Befriending Networks
• Hearing local funders’ perspectives
• A data visualisation workshop
• A chance to get creative and develop your practice

The event is for anyone from local communities, groups and organisations interested in helping reduce loneliness and social isolation in Reading.

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

Reading RG1 3BB

Reading Town Meal is a truly community-powered event. First held in 2011, so far there have been five fantastic ‘picnics in the park’ celebrating the delicious fruit and veg that is grown in Reading. 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 meal is accompanied by music from local bands, family fun activities, plus the chance to learn more about growing your own food, shop with local producers and find out what local community and sustainability groups are doing in Reading.

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

Broad Street, Reading RG1 7QE

Featuring local organisations supporting older people and their carers. Also showcasing many local community groups offering fun activities that people can get involved in, to connect to their communities and improve their health and wellbeing (music, singing, dance, exercise and more).

More information about the programme of activities to follow.

Downing Road, Tilehurst, Reading RG31 5BB

Annual quiz night and charity auction run by and raising funds for League of Friends of the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

£12 per person for teams of up to 6 people includes a basket meal (served at approx. 20:15). Lots of fun for all throughout the evening!

See the website at www.lof-royalberks.org.uk for more information. To book your place/table please get in touch by emailing lof@royalberkshire.nhs.uk.

37 Hilcot Road, Reading RG30 2SX

The Silvers’ Workshop are holding an open day on 6 October 2019, to celebrate a national event Silver Sunday which highlights activities undertaken across the nation by persons of a certain age and over.

The open day will take place from 11:00 until 15:00 and will showcase the activities and projects our workshop undertakes. Tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits will be provided and served by Asda’s Community Champion. All welcome.

Minghella Building, Shinfield Road, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6BT

Charity Bank is inviting trustees, directors, CEOs and managers of charities, social enterprises and community organisations in Reading to sign up for a free event on 8 October 2019. The Road to Growth event will be hosted at the Meadow Suite in the University of Reading and will provide attendees with the latest insight on the state of the social sector at a time of change and challenge.

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations will present an update on the state of the sector and then local and national sector specialists will engage with the audience in unpicking some of the challenges and opportunities that exist.

Panelists will share research and insights on the state of the sector, how political and Brexit uncertainty are impacting the sector, examples of how charities and social enterprises are responding. Attendees will leave with practical insight and guidance to help their organisations survive and thrive in a changing world.

To find out more visit https://go.charitybank.org/road-to-growth. Register for the event at www.eventbrite.co.uk.

330 Northumberland Avenue, Whitley, Reading RG2 8DH

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is running a Syrian Refugee Information Session at New Directions College.

From covering basic greetings to the potential expectations about life in the UK, Refugee Information Sessions help host communities better understand how to collectively assist refugees to rebuild their lives and encourage participation in the local community.

IOM regularly updates the sessions using information gathered from their global field offices and other relevant sources to reflect the shifting realities for refugees prior to resettlement. IOM partners with members of refugee communities to co-facilitate the sessions and provide insight into their history and culture.

Sessions are CPD-certified and include:

• Modern and ancient history of the country
• Geography, demographics, religions and cultural groups of the refugees’ country
• Cultural traditions (etiquette, clothing, holidays, diet, family)
• Health and education systems in the country
• Displacement and the humanitarian crisis
• Experiences of resettled refugees
• Subjects covered in pre-departure orientation
• Cultural adjustment experience

The session is free but please register to attend by emailing Linda Stacey (New Directions) at Linda.Stacey@reading.gov.uk.

100 Longwater Avenue, Green Park, Reading RG2 6GP

You are invited to attend Berkshire Community Foundation's Symposium to be held on Monday 14 October 2019 at Green Park in Reading.

A full programme will be offered on the day, with speakers covering topics such as:

• Staying positive in the face of big challenges
• Public Speaking
• A finance update
• A legal update from Blandy and Blandy

There will be some networking opportunities where you will have the chance to talk to other voluntary organisations and discuss issues impacting on your work.

In order to book a place for your organisation, please register via www.eventbrite.co.uk by Monday 30 September 2019.

Hyde End Road, Reading RG7 1EP

Get Berkshire Active (GBA) would like to invite you to our Active Ageing Forum. This free event will explore the positive impact being more physically active can have on issues commonly associated with ageing.

Featured presentations will include:

Raising the bar on strength and balance: the importance of community-based provision: Delivered by the Centre for Ageing Better who will present the models of delivery, issues, barriers and innovative solutions of community-based strength and balance programmes.

Loneliness in later life: Delivered by Age UK Reading this will feature the headlines discovered by research carried out by Age UK, along with potential solutions. Colleagues from Wokingham Borough Council Sport and Leisure will provide an outline of the solution they have developed to help tackle this issue locally.

Dementia Friendly Sport and Physical Activity guide: GBA’s Kirsty Heath will present this guide on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Society which has been developed to inform and educate individuals and organisations so they have a better understanding of dementia and how it affects people.

For more information or to book a place please see the website at https://getberkshireactive.org/events/2019/10/activeageing.

Christchurch Road, Reading RG2 7AR

Arnhem Clarinet Choir are an internationally known choir from Holland. They are in Reading to celebrate their 30th anniversary with two concerts. This is the first of the two, an evening of beautiful woodwind music. Free entry event.

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

The september VCN has been postponed and rearranged for Tuesday 29 October 2019.

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.

Click here to register

Blagrave Street, Reading RG1 1QH.

We would love you to save the date for our very special evening event on Monday 4 November at Reading Concert Hall. This promises to be an event to remember with stories, music, theatre and fashion, plus a real insight into the charity’s progress and achievements during the past 25 years.

We will be advertising more details about this event in due course, but in the mean time put the date in the diary and we really hope you can be there!

Best wishes,
Everyone at Reading Refugee Support Group

Blagrave Street, Reading RG1 1QH

One Reading is a multi-agency partnership committed to delivering better outcomes for children, young people and families. As well as developing a local consensus on how to work together. One year in, this conference is a chance to:

• Network, ask questions, give your feedback
• Find out about the local consensus
• Find out how Reading is becoming a trauma-informed town
• Hear from inspirational speakers and take part in workshops on young people’s voice and political engagement, social media and more

This conference is for anyone working with children, young people and families in Reading. The full line-up of speakers and workshops will be announced soon. For now, save the date and book your free place at  www.eventbrite.co.uk.