Events

10-12 Church Road, Caversham, Reading RG4 7AD

Come and find out all about how to organise a street party to bring your community together.

We will give some examples and photos of local street parties, details of when to apply for a street closure for free, how to start things off, things to remember, ideas for food and entertainment, publicity, the benefits of having a street party plus an opportunity to ask any questions.

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

10-12 Church Road, Caversham, Reading RG4 7AD

Come and find out all about how to organise a street party to bring your community together.

We will give some examples and photos of local street parties, details of when to apply for a street closure for free, how to start things off, things to remember, ideas for food and entertainment, publicity, the benefits of having a street party plus an opportunity to ask any questions.

Free event but please book a ticket via www.eventbrite.co.uk to confirm your place.

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.

522 Oxford Road, Reading RG30 1EG

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.

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.

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.

Click here to register

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

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.

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.

(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.

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.

Book your place at www.befriending.co.uk.

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.

South Street, Reading, RG1 4QU

This month we are thinking about the environmental consequences of our food choices. With the help of Anthony Simpson, a local sustainability expert, we will be examining the emissions, water and land usage and wastage in our diets. We’re hoping to have some free low emission tasters for you to try and more songs, games and cakes.

Sunday Assembly Reading is free to attend and runs entirely on donations. The Assembly is a secular congregation that celebrates life, meeting once a month at The Reading Irish Centre and welcomes all ages and all backgrounds.

We can always do with help, so if you want to really feel part of our community, offer a hand or two. Either contact us now (stephen@sundayassemblyreading.uk) or arrive a bit earlier on the day and we’ll find you something fun to do.

This Assembly is at the South Street Arts Theatre. Doors open at 10:30 with the Assembly starting at 11:00. After the assembly, we will go to a local bar or cafe.

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.

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.

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

As part of our regular Funder Presentations and Surgeries, we are partnering with Berkshire Community Foundation, The National Lottery Community, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Arts Council.

This event starts with a general presentation from the funders on their current funding streams at 10:15 – 11:15 followed by tea and coffee.

Following this there is the opportunity to have a 1:1 session with the funders.

Who should attend:

• The presentation and surgeries are for groups and charities based in Reading who already have some experience in applying for funding.
• At your 1:1 you will have the have the opportunity to canvas your idea. Please note that the funders cannot help you fill in the application form, but will give you general guidance and tips on applying for funding with them.

The funders

The National Lottery Community Fund: This is for Reaching Communities or Partnership Funding streams in excess of £10,000.

Berkshire Community Foundation (BCF): The grant funding available at the time of this surgery will relate to the summer funding rounds provided through BCF. You can also use this appointment more generally to learn about future core funding rounds that will open later in the year so that you can prepare in advance and identify whether this is for you.

The Heritage Lottery Fund: They fund a broad range of projects that connect people and communities to the national, regional and local heritage of the UK.

The Arts Council: Funding available from £1000 – £100,000 for projects relating to music, theatre, dance, visual arts, lterature, combined arts, museums and library arts projects.

• Please book for the presentation and 1:1 slots separately through the links below.
• You are welcome to book an appointment with each funder.
• Book for the Funder Presentations here
• Book a slot with Berkshire Community Fund
• Book a slot with The National Lottery Community Fund
• Book a slot with The Heritage Lottery Fund
• Book a slot with The Arts Council

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.

21 Baker Street, Reading, RG1 7XT

Celebrate great food from local producers. The Baker Street Area Neighbourhood Association hosts The Artisan Community Food Fair at The Oasis on the last Saturday of each month.

• Various stands including high quality food, plants, organic and fairtrade coffee.
• Free coffee and tea.
• Also a chance to meet councillors, police, MP, fire brigade and more.

Every time it's different with different people and traders attending.

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.

Download an information flyer here

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.

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.

Northumberland Avenue, Reading, RG2 8DF

Do you have a child or young person with additional needs in your family?

Reading Families’ Forum are holding a free information and fun day. Come along to find out about the support available to you from local and national organisations.

• There will be stallholders from Reading Borough Council, Brighter Futures for Children, local charities, health services and many other service providers.
• Fun activities throughout the afternoon, including Owen’s Animals, Flash Faces face painting and Circus Scene.
• Download a flyer.

The venue is wheel and power chair accessible and has a changing room. It is on the Emerald 5 bus route and there is free car parking.

Reading Families’ Forum is a voice for families of children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Chain Street, Reading, RG1 2HX

In the beautiful and iconic setting of Reading Minster, Alana House will be holding a celebratory service for their 10th birthday on International Women’s Day, on Sunday 8 March.

This year marks a decade of Alana House proudly supporting local women with a wide range of needs and the wider local community in Reading and across the Thames Valley.

This special service will include a host of readers and performers including Reading Community Gospel Choir. There will also be refreshments and cake provided by the fabulous team of Baristas from Alana House’s community cafe.

• Tickets are free but we do encourage donations towards Alana House’s work.
• Places are limited so booking is essential.
• If you have any questions please email us at events@pactcharity.org.

35-39 London Street, Reading, RG1 4PS

Come along and have your say. Share your views. Tell us how we can improve our services.

This is a joint initiative with West Berkshire NHS Care Commissioning Group.

Please contact Compass Recovery College by email at compass.opportunities@reading.gov.uk or phone on 07739 823140 if you would like to attend.

10 Spey Road, Dee Park, Reading RG30 4DZ

Unfortunately we have had to cancel this event because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. Apologies for any inconvenience.

RVA is pleased to add another Street Party Workshop to our 2020 roadshow – in partnership with Catalyst Housing in Dee Park.

Local residents and community workers are invited to come along on 10 March at 6pm to Oak Tree House, 10 Spey Road, Tilehurst, to find out how to organise a street party. Street party veteran, David Neale, will be guiding us through all the things we need to think about in planning a street party in our neighbourhood – and demonstrating how to run one simply and on a tiny budget.

Our first session on 19 February in Whitley Wood received very positive feedback and participants are now planning their summer events.

35-39 London Street, Reading, RG1 5HL

If we are to meet the challenges posed by the climate emergency, massive investments are required to make the transition away from fossil fuels. Further delay will make the transition more expensive and the consequences more disastrous.

Economist John Christensen, who studied environmental policy making at the LSE, will discuss various financing mechanisms, and how fair taxation can contribute to tackling global warming. The event is free. Organised by Global Justice Reading

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

Unfortunately we have had to cancel this event because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. We hope to organise another Befriending Forum soon – apologies for any inconvenience.

For everyone who wants to take action on loneliness and social isolation in Reading. Ready Friends Befriending Forums meet quarterly and bring together local people who want to take action on loneliness and social isolation.

You could be from an existing charity or voluntary organisation or an emerging community group or someone who’d like to make a difference in your neighbourhood.

The March Befriending Forum will include:

• Finding out what’s on in Reading if you don’t speak English, read English or your own language, or use the internet.
• Reading Community Lottery.
• Public Transport Travel Confidence project update.
• Free networking buffet lunch, good news and notices.

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

The One Reading Engagement and Participation Forum provides an opportunity for voluntary and community groups to find out about the One Reading Partnership, to highlight priorities in the community and help shape future services and policy.

The agenda for this meeting will include:
-An update on the Our Reading, Our Future, youth led research capturing experiences of  growing up in Reading with Charlotte Netherton-Sinclair.
-Consultation workshop on the mental health crises service review with Yvonne Mhlanga.
-A showcase of the Berkshire Observatory.
-Summer holidays 2020.

Please register to let us know you are coming: book here.

Middle Building, 344 Oxford Road, Reading, RG30 1AF

Please note that this event has been CANCELLED.

The Equality and Human Rights Framework – how can it work for us in real terms?

Moving forward from our Hate Crime Forum, we invite you to come along to the Equalities Alliance Conference where we will hear in-depth testimonials and case studies, and hold discussions and feedback on the key themes identified at our Hate Crime Forum.

• Keynote speaker: Ali Harris, Chief Executive of Equally Ours.
• With speakers from our own Equalities Alliance members and local community: Joseph Wafula, Florah Mpanye, Sinclair Jeffrey, Saty Kaur, Nick Harborne and Aisha Malik.

For more information or if you would like to attend please email Ritu Shankardass at info@acre-reading.org or phone on 01189 510279.

21 Baker Street, Reading, RG1 7XT

As a result of public health advice about gatherings and meetings this event has been cancelled.

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

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.

125 Hartland Road, Reading, RG2 8AF

We have heard that this event has now been POSTPONED - probably until the autumn.

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.

Church Road, Caversham RG4 7AD

Unfortunately we've had to cancel this event.

An Econet event promoting local woodland products, plus bee and wildlife friendly gardening.

Vegetable and ornamental plants grown by charitable organisations, and a range of beanpoles, peasticks and plant supports to grow them up for sale. Our plant supports come from locally managed coppiced woodland and willow beds and your purchase helps maintain this traditional technique.

There are a range of activities all day including demonstrations of products using this source of traditionally managed timber. The garden kiosk is open for light refreshments.

There will also be stalls representing a variety of local organisations including:
-RSPB (making bird boxes, bird tables and hedgehog homes from timber offcuts)
-BBOWT (sales and guidance on wildlife conservation)
-FairTrade products (home made cakes and jams)
and others.

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.

Are you a trustee or manager of a charity or community group in Reading? Following on from our recent survey to Reading’s groups, we are launching a series of online, interactive sessions to help you with running your charity during the pandemic.

The first session will look at Governance and Planning and cover:

1. The role of trustees in governance and a quick recap of trustee duties.*
2. Charity commission guidance issued to charities during the pandemic.
3. Planning for the road ahead – what to keep doing and how to plan for various scenarios your charity might face.
4. Break-out sessions to discuss the above with other trustees and managers.
5. Q&A and wrap up.

You may also like to view this free recorded webinar from NCVO that we have previously shared on a similar topic. However, don’t worry if that is not possible as we will recap salient points for you. In this session, the focus will be to give you an opportunity to discuss what is working, what are the challenges and to give scenario planning a go. So if you’re a manager or trustee of a charity or community group in Reading and wondering how to approach the road ahead, or would like to share what’s working, come along and take part.

Please note that the session will be available for a maximum of 10 attendees to enable as much interaction as possible and we ask that a maximum of 2 people attend from one charity or community group. If there is further demand, we can hold another session.

The session will be facilitated by Herjeet Randhawa, RVA’s Advice Worker. Herjeet has a background in Legal and Governance, and supports charities to work towards good governance as well as running the advice service and overseeing training.

We will also be holding further sessions on other topics identified in our survey, such as adapting your services, financial planning, fundraising, buildings and risk assessments. Dates to be announced shortly.

*Please also keep an eye out on our news page for our traditional training including trustee training, treasurer training and safeguarding.

We look forward to seeing you on Zoom. If you are unsure on how to use Zoom, take a look at this free video tutorial and don’t worry if this will be your first Zoom session, we’ll talk you through it so you can take part.

Please book your free place at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/governance-and-planning-for-charities-and-community-groups-tickets-106352944520.

Before Covid-19, it looked like the national conversation about loneliness and social isolation had started to go a little quiet, but the current crisis has thrown it back into the spotlight.

Community organisations across Reading have created telephone check-in chats with their members and some have transitioned to distance befriending services. The need to address loneliness in new ways that respect social distancing have created new challenges for everyone.

At this online Befriending Forum we will look at and share our stories and ideas on the following issues:

• What has worked well so far and what we have learnt
• What local people facing loneliness need more of and where the gaps are
• What local community groups need to start up or develop befriending services, and feedback on the current Ready Friends training resources
• Mental health services – information on what’s available locally

To book a place please click on this link: www.eventbrite.co.uk/befriending-forum

If you have any problems registering or finding the Zoom link, please contact Rhiannon: ready.friends@rva.org.uk.

Did you know that around 15% of the UK’s population rarely or never uses the internet? This percentage is slightly lower than that in Reading but there are still geographic areas and demographics that have remarkably low levels of internet access.

Join us for a video conference where we’ll be discussing the digital divide in Reading and exploring innovative ways to get all the people of Reading online.

The video conference link can be accessed directly on the day at www.rva.org.uk/lets-get-online – but we would be grateful if you could register in advance at www.eventbrite.co.uk/lets-get-reading-online to give us an idea of numbers.

The Southbank Centre, The Local Trust and Torbay Community Development Trust will share inspiration for creatively connecting communities.
Whether through art, music, theatre or dance, creativity and connection go hand in hand. Join this webinar to hear from Coalition members including the Southbank Centre, The Local Trust and Torbay Community Development Trust about inspiring and practical ways to use creativity and the arts to bring people together and build connections during a time of physical distancing.

The event takes place online on 2 July, 11-12.30. More information and booking via Eventbrite.

1A Bamburgh Close, Reading RG2 7UD.

A series of community roadshows has been launched at centres around the town, for local residents to:

-speak with organisations including Citizen’s Advice Reading, Reading Borough Council teams and many more

-find out what is happening at the community centre

-have a say in future activities and events at centres.

Come along to your local community centre to give feedback on any issues in your area, get advice and support from a range of local services and have a nice tea or coffee. There is no need to book - everyone is welcome to just drop in on the day.

Join ACRE, Utulivu Women, Women with Vision and other grassroot communities in West Berkshire, with the support of Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust, in the communities’ annual conference.

This year’s theme is Potentializing the Communities Assets In Filling The Gaps For Sustainable Equity(All for our wellbeing). Please join to share and hear how we can collectively work together in an effort to narrow the Health Inequalities Gap.

• Please join via this Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7674792806?pwd=N1pKRFZram9MNnhrdkRNNmFjVVAxdz09.
• Meeting ID : 767479 2806
• Password : 2804

Download a leaflet.

6-week course – Fridays 11:00-11:40, 7 August to 11 September 2020

This six-week course is divided into 6 forty-minute workshops on Zoom that will provide an introduction to yoga that is fun, relaxed and tailored to you. From the comfort of your own home we’ll explore what yoga can do for our overall wellbeing and how best to take on the physical practice for your body. Over the period of the course we will cover:

• Breathing techniques
• Basic yoga ‘language’ (familiarising you with terms you might commonly hear in a yoga class)
• Basic yoga postures (e.g. child’s pose, cat/cow, savasana)
• Mindful movements (thinking about how your body feels and how to adapt postures to suit your needs)
• An introduction to sun salutations – a series of movements mobilising the whole body, a great yoga staple to incorporate into your daily or weekly routine
• Balancing postures
• Grounding and relaxation

With small class sizes and short sessions we hope this will provide a personalised and gentle introduction to mindful yoga that encourages you to continue beyond this course.

To book a place on the course please call 07739 823140 or email compass.opportunities@reading.gov.uk.

Campaigns such as #CharitySoWhite have challenged the sector to take a long hard look in the mirror for a while but only the ongoing worldwide anti-racism rallies have finally pushed the topic to the top of the agenda. Join this Zoom Talk to learn about how racism manifests itself in the charity sector and how we, as organisations and as individuals, can contribute to making the sector better.

More details and booking link

Leading a charity during a once in a lifetime global crisis is tough. Your organisation needs you more than ever at this time when, in private, you’re likely to be wrestling with the same lockdown frustrations and issues as everyone else during this pandemic. Join this Zoom Talk for a frank discussion with other charity leaders and to share your frustrations and victories, aspirations and hopes during these stressful times.

More details and booking link

Covid-19 has pushed many charities to the brink of an existential crisis and made efficient board communication more important than ever. With high consequence decisions to be made at pace, trustees naturally need to be more involved in the organisation; many boards hold more frequent meetings and ad hoc crisis working groups have been formed. But how much involvement is too much? How can organisations shape the board-executive crisis communication in a way that gives trustees all the information they need but doesn’t turn into an unnecessary additional burden on an already stretched executive? And when is it time to go back to a pre-crisis communication model?

More details and booking link

Are you tired of Zoom meetings, bored of being at home all day and just can’t wait to go back to the office? Or have you and your colleagues adapted so well to a new remote work setup that your organisation is considering giving up on a physical office space entirely in the future?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a traditional office set up vs remote working, and can you get the best of both worlds with a more flexible approach between the two extremes?

If you’re part of one of the many organisations that are currently reconsidering what their workspace should look like in the future, we’d love you to join us for this Zoom Talk on the future (or end) of the office.

More details and booking link

Reading Borough Council has set up the Reading Covid-19 Outbreak Engagement Board to involve the public and partners in developing plans to prevent and manage a possible local Covid-19 outbreak. They want to work with local residents to support effective local action, including communication with anyone potentially affected by a local outbreak. They have published a summary of Reading’s Covid-19 Local Outbreak Response Plan and you can read it here: www.reading.gov.uk/c19outbreakplan.

Take part in the first meeting

• The first meeting of the Reading Covid-19 Outbreak Engagement Board will be on 4 September at 14:00 via Teams.
• If you would like to take part, or wish to ask a question to the meeting, please email the Committee Services team (nicky.simpson@reading.gov.uk).
• You will need to register your interest in advance to receive a Teams link.
• Please note that questions must be submitted in advance and by 18:00 on 27 August.

The full agenda was published on the Council website on 26 August.

The Volunteer Coordinators’ Network meeting provides a space for those who oversee the work of volunteers to seek peer support in a confidential space from others in a similar role. It is an opportunity to share best practise and to learn from the rich experiences of colleagues working across our diverse sector.

Volunteering has been at the forefront of the response to the Covid-19 outbreak with volunteers taking on key roles in delivering community initiatives to mitigate the impact of the outbreak. This has seen existing organisations delivering new services as well as transforming existing ones. It has also seen new forms of social action take shape to address community needs.

Volunteering has probably never been more prominent and we have a unique opportunity to help turn those mobilised in the face of an international crisis into the regular core of the volunteering workforce for years to come. We also know that many of those who have come forward during the crises may be feeling demotivated having been underutilised up to this point.

This first VCN to be held since the outbreak is designed to provide an opportunity for us to come together to take stock of the way volunteering has changed in the past few months, draw out any lessons to be learned and to look forward to the challenges and opportunities in involving volunteers in our work in the months and years to come.

Please register via the button below and further details and joining instructions will be sent in due course.

Register Here

Please join us on 24 September 2020 for our AGM, where we’ll discuss the successes and challenges of the last 12 months, and how we see the next 12 progressing.

We welcome you all, in order to receive the meeting invite please call 0118 956 0050 or contact admin@home-start-reading.org.uk.

We look forward to (virtually) seeing you there.

Are you looking for a job in the care sector, or are you interested in a career in caring? Join this online job fair to find out more. The event is organised by the National Careers Service.

To take part please email ncsberkshire@adviza.org.uk. You can download a poster with more information here.

For further support please visit nationalcareers.service.gov.uk
or call 0800 100 900 to speak to a professional careers adviser (8am-10pm daily).

Our quarterly Ready Friends Befriending Forums are for anyone in Reading taking action on loneliness and social isolation.

Even during lockdown and this shaky period of ‘lockdown-easing’, hundreds of Reading’s voluntary and community groups have shone brightly, quickly moving their activities and support online and over the telephone to help the most vulnerable, who have been isolated and often lonely. But, what if you don’t speak English, or read in your own language – or you can’t use the internet?

At this Befriending Forum, we will hear from Reading Community Learning Centre and other local groups supporting people who speak other languages and we’ll identify the challenges and opportunities for improving access for everyone in Reading to the amazing variety of community support and activity.

Please join us on Zoom at 13:00 on Thursday September 24.

Please book on eventbrite using the link below, where you will also find the Zoom link and guidance for using Zoom: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ready-friends-befriending-forum-tickets-116570153467

An environmental critique of the draft Reading Transport Strategy and its approach to carbon, congestion and clean air.

"Making the polluters pay" can reduce traffic and fund improved and cheaper bus services and new cycling infrastructure.

Workshop Speaker: John Booth

Please sign up to this online event at www.eventbrite.co.uk to gain access to the Zoom webinar link.

Consultation has finished, the Plan is finalised, and now we need to implement it. After a brief introduction to the overall goals from our Chair, some of our theme leads will look at some of the community actions in more detail and be ready to answer your questions.

We'll cover the new Reading hydro scheme, reducing consumption of "stuff" and providing a better town meal to the non-human Reading residents!

Workshop speaker: Trish Marcouse

Please sign up to this online event at www.eventbrite.co.uk to gain access to the Zoom webinar link.

Discover the causes and impact of food loss and food waste, the effect of common retail practices on food loss and reflect on your personal contribution to the problem. Explore the potential of the waste hierarchy and the circular economy providing a framework for solutions to this issue.

Through this interactive workshop, discover innovations such as upcycled food and hear from companies that are making a difference. Gain practical ideas on reducing food waste at home and how to be an agent of change on a personal, community, and national level.

Workshop speaker: Simona Grasso

Please sign up to this online event at www.eventbrite.co.uk to gain access to the Zoom webinar link.

The proposed trade deal with the US is not just about a few iconic products. US food standards are radically different to Britain’s; US agriculture is dominated by massive corporations with intensive use of antibiotics, hormones and steroids.

Why do we need this trade deal? We already trade with the US and experts say that this would have very little impact on our economy. The most optimistic estimates predict it could bring a fraction of a percent growth after 15 years!

We could still stop this dangerous deal going ahead but what can we do? Join this session to find out.

Workshop Speaker: Jackie Oversby

Please sign up to this online event at www.eventbrite.co.uk to gain access to the Zoom webinar link.

This seated exercise session will be a reoccurring online event that runs for one hour each time. Anyone can practise at home and it’s free for all. For more details and to take part please phone Krishna on 07504 009949 or email kpneupane321@gmail.com.

This event is run by IRDC, which has has received a small grant from Reading Borough Council to run seated exercise, yoga, and gardening activities. IRDC has been working for the interest of local communities in the Greater Reading area since 2013.

If you love food, enjoy spending time with family and want to learn about how you can eat more sustainably, then you will definitely want to join us for this year’s Reading annual celebration of locally grown and healthy food on Saturday 3 October. You can sign up now.

We can enjoy the day together (albeit from our own households) with recipe cards, online workshops, Kahoot quizzes and much, much more. We are even hoping to broadcast live from Forbury Gardens on the day to help connect us all.

Not only will we deliver exclusive town meal inspired recipe cards direct to your doorstep, there will also be a live cook-along to follow and surplus fruit and vegetables made available from our stall in Forbury for you to collect, take home and add to your town meal inspired recipes.

Our online workshops will feature topics including how to tackle food waste, sustainable food growing methods and climate change.

If you would like to help and support the running of this year’s socially distanced town meal there are volunteer roles to suit everyone’s skill set, ranging from donating fruit and vegetables, delivering recipe cards to households, helping us to publicise the event and much more.

For more information about the Reading Town Meal visit the website or Facebook page, call 0118 958 6692 or visit our Facebook page for the latest event announcements.

A presentation and discussion with members of Compassion in World Farming, the leading farm animal welfare charity.

This talk is for you if you are not ready to go vegan but care about animal welfare, environmental destruction, the climate crisis and your health.

• Learn how the choices you make effect all of these and how you can make better ones.
• Share your views and pick up some ideas.
• Find out what the strange and confusing words and logos on food labels actually mean.

We promise not to bully you or show horrible pictures of animals in pain, so don’t be afraid to join us. Suitable for adults and children of all ages.

Please register at www.eventbrite.co.uk to gain access to the Zoom webinar link.

Have you been inspired to volunteer but don’t know where to start? Not sure what opportunity is right for you and how to go about finding it?

This session will provide you with a general introduction to volunteering, we will:

-look at the reasons people volunteer
-consider how to decide what opportunity is right for you
-explore some examples of different types of volunteering opportunity
-discuss the kind of support and training you can expect when volunteering
-identify how to go about taking your first steps into volunteering

In addition to these general areas, we will also explore specific local opportunities to volunteer and access further training to prepare you for future volunteering roles.

There will also be an opportunity to ask any questions you have about volunteering.

Sign up by completing this form.

Are you job-hunting? Do you know someone who is?
Join Connect Reading for an opportunity to hear others share experiences and resources.

The pandemic has had a huge impact on many people’s employment status. From the Jobseeker’s Perspective is an event for those looking for work and those supporting jobseekers. We’ll hear from Connect Reading members with experience of career change, bouncing back from redundancy and helping individuals become work-ready. Sessions will include topics such as interview techniques, CV writing and overcoming barriers.

Agenda

• 10:00: welcome and intro
• 10:00–11:40: speaker presentations and interview with opportunities for Q&As
• 11.40–12:00: Q&A and time for discussion
• 12:00: Closing remarks

Speakers include

• Claire Brown from Claire Brown Coaching and Consulting
• Sam Lloyd from Starting Point
• Hazel Graft and Anna Aprea from Graft Thames Valley
• Rhiannon Stocking-Williams and Anna Chapman from RVA
• Sue Brackley from Reading UK CIC
• Jane Padwick from SmartWorks
• Sebastian Evans from Adviza

Tickets are free, but please book via www.eventbrite.co.uk to confirm your place.

We can’t meet face-to-face yet, but we can still get together to cook some healthy, delicious, quick and easy recipes online

• 6 sessions beginning Wednesday 4 November, 10:30-12:30.
• You need to download the Zoom app onto the device you’re going to use and have an email address.

Step 1: book yourself a place by emailing michele@risc.org.uk or ringing 0118 958 6692.
Step 2: you’ll receive the recipes and Zoom invite by email a week before the course, or find the recipes on the Food4families Cookery Blog.
Step 3: buy the ingredients.
Step 4: log on to the Zoom invite to take part.

Download a leaflet here

Have you thought about volunteering and wondering if Trusteeship is for you? Join us for a friendly Q&A on the final day of Trustees’ Week and ask your burning questions:

• What do trustees do?
• What are they responsible for?
• How do you become one?
• What opportunities are available locally?
• How do I know if a charity is for me?
• What experience do I need?

This is a lunchtime session so do feel free to bring your lunch and a cuppa. The session will be delivered by Steve Hendry, Volunteering Development Manager and Herjeet Randhawa, Advice Service Manager, both of whom have considerable experience of supporting volunteers, charities and trustees in Reading.

Find out more about Trustees’ Week 2020 here.

Please register for the session on Eventbrite.

We would be delighted if you can join us for our Members’ Meeting and AGM – via Zoom, of course. We’ll be sharing RVA’s plans for the winter and hearing from members and partners about the support you need over the coming months. We look forward to welcoming you.

• Please register via Eventbrite to let us know you will be attending.
• The Zoom link will be emailed to registered attendees nearer the time.
• Please let us know if you have any access requirements when you register.

Nominate someone to the RVA Board of Trustees
To nominate someone to become an RVA trustee, complete and return the nomination form by midnight on Thursday 5 November 2020. Organisations making nominations to the board must be RVA members.

For all the latest updates from us and across the sector, subscribe to RVA's weekly newsletter.

Dear members, service users, volunteers, supporters, donors and staff members. You are warmly invited to attend our short formal AGM meeting and updates on our projects.

There will be a formal meeting, followed by a service user testimony and addresses from RRSG patron Olivia Graham, Bishop of Reading, and the High Sheriff of Berkshire, Mary Riall.

We particularly welcome all of our clients, past and present.

Please register online on Eventbrite.

Dear Friends of RCLC,

You are warmly invited to our 13th Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 1 December 2020, from 17:30 – 18:00, via Zoom.

The AGM is a great opportunity to hear about our activities and celebrate our achievements over the past 12 months. We’d also like to hear your views on our work as we plan for the year ahead. If you have any questions which you would like to ask the board at the AGM please email your questions in advance of the board meeting to Aisha Malik on aishamalik@rclc.org.uk.

Members of Reading Community Learning Centre will be able to vote in the Trustee elections and other formal business via Zoom. Membership is open to everyone. If you’re interested in becoming a member, please contact Petra Robinson on rclcinfo@yahoo.co.uk. She will be able to email you a membership form.

Please confirm your attendance at our AGM by Monday 23 November 2020. You can reserve your place by contacting Petra Robinson, Centre Administrator on:

Email: rclcinfo@yahoo.co.uk
Phone: 07923 138681

Once you have confirmed your booking Petra Robinson will email you the zoom link to join the AGM meeting, the board profiles and the annual report.

We look forward to seeing you.

Join us on Zoom for the next quarterly Ready Friends Befriending Forum on 3 December from 1pm.

As well as a great networking opportunity for Reading’s local community groups and organisations, you’ll find out about recent local and national developments that can help us take action on loneliness and social isolation.

The Psychology of Loneliness

Ready Friends is delighted to announce that Dr Kalpa Kharicha, Head of Innovation, Policy and Research from the Campaign to End Loneliness will be our keynote speaker, presenting ground breaking new research into the psychology of loneliness and the new CTEL training programme.

Winter Wellness Programme

We will also hear about the 2020/21 Winter Wellness Programme which provides essential information on what support, events and activities are available in Reading for people facing loneliness or needing a range of other kinds of help with shopping, advice, prescriptions, transport and household essentials.

Please book your place at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ready-friends-befriending-forum-tickets-126403364867 or contact Rhiannon if you have any difficulties with booking at ready.friends@rva.org.uk.

Come and enjoy some Christmas cheer in the relaxed, informal environment of Age UK Berkshire’s next online café for older people.

Just like our previous Virtual Cafés, this online event will be run on video-calling platform Zoom and will be a chance to have a natter with old friends as well as chat to new ones. Don’t forget to bring a cuppa – and even a mince pie if you’re ready to get into that festive spirit!

To join this event you must register beforehand on Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/older-peoples-virtual-cafe-christmas-tickets-129281296839.