Events

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

First Steps towards Safe and Sound is a free tool available to all voluntary and community groups offering services in Reading, who wish to take the first steps towards having good governance in place. Come along to our January introduction session and find out how to get started and what the benefits are for your group.

This session should be attended by either a manager or trustee of your group. More than one person from your group is welcome to attend but we would suggest a maximum of three so that there are enough spaces for all.

The session is a 1 hour lunchtime session and will include:

1. An overview of First Steps towards Safe and Sound, what it is, the benefits, resources & support from RVA, how to get started and what you receive after completing this.
2. Introduction to First Steps towards engaging Volunteers
3. Introduction to First Steps towards Inclusion
4. Further resources and support

Book your free space online at www.eventbrite.co.uk.

Please note that this session is in person in our Conference room, Community Place, Reading Central Library. We look forward to seeing you then.

The RVA Team

Abbey Square, Reading, RG1 3BQ

Reading Central Library is holding the next Welcome to Reading Coffee Morning on Saturday 3 February 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!

Contact details
Reading Borough Council - Central Library
Email: info@readinglibraries.org.uk
Phone: 01189 375950

This is a drop-in marketplace event for refugees and asylum seekers living in Reading. No booking is needed.

Quarterly event for refugees and asylum seekers living in Reading to meet staff from Reading Borough Council, national government services and voluntary partners. People can get support with specific enquiries and learn about the projects and support available in Reading.

Advice is available on legal support, housing, careers and support services. Hot drinks, squash and biscuits will be provided.

143 Oxford Road, Reading, RG1 7UY

In collaboration with the University of Reading, we are celebrating Mother Language Day. We are hosting an event for all the family where we will showcase and celebrate some of the languages spoken in Reading.

This event is free to attend and light refreshments will be served.

Come and celebrate with us.

Contact details
Email: admin@utulivu.co.uk
Phone: 07456 512933

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

Please join us at Reading Voluntary Action to for our AGM and thank you lunch. We will be thanking all our staff, volunteers, partners and all of you working together to make Reading a fabulous place to live.

Particular thanks will be given to Karen Morton who has been our Chair for 7 years long!

This is an opportunity to hear our plans for the year and ask questions. Come along and get involved, all are welcome!

12:00 Welcome and registration

12:15 Team report and AGM

13.15 Thank you lunch and networking.

Please let us know you are coming by booking a space.

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

The next Befriending Forum will explore the role that social prescribing plays in reducing loneliness and social isolation for people in Reading. The programme will include:

• An overview of RVA’s social prescribing service and the most frequent issues addressed
• How local people are referred to and from the service, our coverage in Reading and the information sources on local activities that social prescribers use
• The role of social prescribing for people facing loneliness and social isolation
• Case studies
• Improving partnership working between voluntary and community organisations who support people facing loneliness and the social prescribing service
• The opportunity to meet some of our social prescribers

There will also be time for informal networking and an opportunity to share news, promote your service and find out about funding, events and training. Refreshments provided.

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

Select Car Leasing Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL

Annual Charity Quiz night to raise funds for Royal Berks Charity. Quiz master Radio Berkshire’s Bill Buckley will guide you through six rounds of brain-bending questions, picture puzzles and a cheeky joker round. A raffle will also take place on the night.

Tickets are £5 a head with teams of up to 6 people. Doors open from 18:00. Food can be pre – ordered and not available to buy direct on the night, information about food options will be emailed after booking.

For further details or to register your place please see the event page on the website at www.royalberkscharity.co.uk/quiz.

Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BQ

Reading Central Library is holding the next Welcome to Reading Coffee Morning on Saturday 16 March 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!

Health Inequalities is an annual conference that the grassroots communities hold to showcase their input in addressing the widening Health Inequalities Gap. This year’s theme is ”Bridging the gap to improve our health and well-being.”

Please join the team of community champions from the grassroots communities, voluntary organisations, the health services, and the police among others as they dialogue on having meaningful input in bridging the gap to help improve the health outcomes and the experience of care of our communities.

The event is open to everyone.

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

Have you thought about volunteering but are not sure if it is right for you? Or, are you keen to get involved but not sure where to start? This free session will provide you with an opportunity to explore how volunteering can fit into your life and help you identify opportunities that work for you.

Sessions will cover:

• What is volunteering?
• How volunteering can help you develop employability and life skills
• Volunteering for wellbeing
• How to find and secure a role
• The volunteering experience, what you should expect and how to make the most out of it
• Accessing further free training to help you get “Volunteering Ready”.

Sessions will be run by our experienced Volunteering Development Manager Steve Hendry and are open to anyone interested in volunteering in Reading regardless of previous experience.

Register to attend by completing the form or call 0118 937 2273 to book your place.

The Warren, Caversham, Reading, RG4 7TH

The Friends of Caversham Court Gardens will be holding their spring meeting on Wednesday 10 April in the Reading Canoe Club.

Academic and author, Richard Bisgrove, will give an illustrated talk on Plant Hunters and Caversham Court. The talk will follow the briefest of AGMs. All are welcome, you don’t have to be a member.

Contact details
Email: friends@fccg.org.uk
Phone: 01189 545779

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

Have you thought about volunteering but are not sure if it is right for you? Or, are you keen to get involved but not sure where to start? This free session will provide you with an opportunity to explore how volunteering can fit into your life and help you identify opportunities that work for you.

Sessions will cover:

• What is volunteering
• How volunteering can help you develop employability and life skills
• Volunteering for wellbeing
• How to find and secure a role
• The volunteering experience, what you should expect and how to make the most out of it
• Accessing further free training to help you get “Volunteering Ready”

Sessions will be run by our experienced Volunteering Development Manager Steven Hendry and are open to anyone interested in volunteering in Reading regardless of previous experience.

Register to attend by completing the online form found HERE or call 01189 372273 to book your place.

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

Join us for our popular Funder Event taking place in our conference room, Reading Central Library on 21 May 2024. You will hear from local and national funders on upcoming funding rounds and have the opportunity to ask questions.

There will also be the opportunity for informal networking with other groups and charities, as well as news, events and support from RVA.

Agenda:

• 10:15 - Registration, tea and coffee
• 10:30 - Presentations from funders with Q&A
• 11:30 - Informal Q&A and networking opportunity/Reading 4 Community taster session
• 12:00 - Main event finish
• 12:00 - Opportunity to hear from Lloyds Foundation on Racial Equity Grants and Deaf and Disabled Grants. This is niche funding and will only be relevant to some groups so please contact training@rva.org.uk to sign up to this part. Click this link for more details on this funding.
• 12:30 - Close

Funders attending:

• Sovereign Network Group
• Berkshire Community Foundation
• The Earley Charity
• Reading Borough Council – including the opportunity for a 1:1 session on how to use Reading4Community Funding Portal.
• The Lloyds Foundation

These events are very popular, therefore places are restricted to charities or community groups offering services in Reading, with a maximum of 2 places per organisation.

Please book your space online at www.eventbrite.co.uk. We look forward to seeing you there.

1 Queens Walk, Reading, RG1 7QE

Calling all future pop stars!

As part of this year’s Reading Children’s Festival PACT will be bringing the tunes for a fun afternoon of children’s karaoke at The Reading Biscuit Factory on Saturday 25 May 2024.

We have all the favourite tunes with something for every voice. Everyone is welcome to sing along…even the adults! So bring your friends. This is your time to shine.

(Suggested donation per song £1)

Contact details
Email: info@pactcharity.org
Phone: 01189 387600

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

Please join us at the next Befriending Forum where we will hear from local volunteers about how they support people facing loneliness, why they do it and the impact it has on them as well as the people they support.

The agenda will include:

• Welcome, introductions and event outcomes
• Presentations by local volunteers
• Vision for Volunteering update
• Forthcoming training, voluntary sector updates, news etc
• Networking opportunities

The Befriending Forum is open to all local community groups, charities, friends and neighbours taking action on loneliness and social isolation.

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

If you would like more information about the Befriending Forum, please email Rhiannon at ready.friends@rva.org.uk.

28-35 Lexington Grove, Reading RG2 8UG.

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.

140 Wensley Road, Reading RG1 6DW.

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.

Lyndhurst Road, Tilehurst, Reading RG30 6UB.

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.

Abbey Square, Reading, RG1 3BQ

Reading Central Library is holding the next Welcome to Reading Coffee Morning on Saturday 20 July 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. It is a chance to have a hot drink in a free and friendly session and find out more about some of the services, activities and events going on in Reading.

We look forward to meeting you!

Contact details
Reading Borough Council - Central Library
Email: info@readinglibraries.org.uk
Phone: 0118 937 5950.

Drakes Way, Reading, RG2 0GQ

20 Years of Utulivu Women’s Group.

This is a huge celebration to celebrate the 20 years. We would like you to come this event to see what we have done in the communities over the last 20 years, and there will be guest speakers and lovely delicious food. All are welcome.

Contact details
Utulivu Women’s Group
Email: admin@utulivu.co.uk

Community Place, 3rd floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BQ

Have you thought about volunteering but are not sure if it is right for you? Or, are you keen to get involved but not sure where to start? This free session will provide you with an opportunity to explore how volunteering can fit into your life and help you identify opportunities that work for you.

Sessions will cover:

• What is volunteering
• How volunteering can help you develop employability and life skills
• Volunteering for wellbeing
• How to find and secure a role
• The volunteering experience, what you should expect and how to make the most out of it
• Accessing further free training to help you get “Volunteering Ready”

Sessions will be run by our experienced Volunteering Development Manager Steven Hendry and are open to anyone interested in volunteering in Reading regardless of previous experience.

Register to attend by completing the form found HERE or call 01189 372273 to book your place.

13-19 Church Road, Caversham, Reading, RG4 7AD

This year’s theme for Heritage Open Days is Routes, Networks, Connections.

Bring the whole family along to Caversham Court Gardens on Saturday 7 September or Sunday 8 September (11:00-16:00) circumnavigate the globe learning the origins of some of the fine collection of plants and trees in the Gardens.

Throughout history, travellers have collected useful and beautiful plants and brought them back to Britain from all over the world. Our quiz will take you round the gardens and give you fun facts about important plants and their uses. Younger children will enjoy drawing some of the many unusual plants to be found in the gardens – drawing materials available free of charge.

You may be surprised to learn that there are plants from every continent except Antarctica in our lovely riverside gardens – test your knowledge of geography with our interactive map!

Contact details
Friends of Caversham Court Gardens
Email: friends@fccg.org.uk

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

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 practice and to learn from the rich experiences of colleagues working across our diverse sector.

The Network is open to those overseeing the work of volunteers in organisations big and small and involving volunteers in a variety of ways.

Please register via the button below and further details and joining instructions will be sent in due course. The plan is to hold this meeting in person at our office in Reading Central Library, but this will be confirmed closer to the event.

Register here

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

Reading has a wide variety of charities and community groups, of various sizes. Smaller groups have told us that they would like more specialist support as they have different challenges to larger groups. RVA therefore runs a Small Groups’ Forum for charities and community groups who are:

• Mainly volunteer led
• With an income below £50K

If you are a small group, come along to our next forum on Wednesday 18 September. The session will cover:

1. An overview of the Reading-wide Voluntary and Community Sector survey, and how you can provide your views and responses as a small group.
2. Funding opportunities for small groups.
3. Safety tips for running your sessions.
4. Networking with each other.

This is a friendly, informal session hosted by the Herjeet Vass from the RVA team, so don’t worry if you haven’t attended one of these sessions before. Refreshments will be provided.

If you have any access needs (such as a visual or physical impairment), just let us know in advance by emailing training@rva.org.uk and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Registration and refreshments from 10:15. Session starts at 10:30.

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

RVA is running an online session in September 2024 for anyone wanting to find out more about RVA’s social prescribing service.

The sessions will include:

• What social prescribing is (and isn’t!)
• How it works at RVA and how people access it
• How we measure its impact
• How we work in partnership with local services and community groups
• Information about free practitioner training and the Joy Marketplace

To book onto this session please register at www.eventbrite.co.uk.

Broad Street, Reading RG1 7QE

Reading Borough Council in collaboration with its partners Age UK and others is again marking the United Nations Day of Older People on 1 October with a celebration at the Broad Street Mall in Reading.

Like similar events up and down this country and farther afield, we will be showing the tremendous work of lots of organisations. These help highlight all that’s best in later life. There are free NHS health checks available and a short programme of regular demos through the day.

The event will be opened at 10:00 by the Mayor of Reading, Cllr Glenn Dennis. All welcome, of whatever age!

We invite you to explore our beautiful three-acre gardens in Reading at the start of this autumn. Enjoy a peaceful afternoon surrounded by the vibrant colours of our different gardens while learning about the many ways gardening can enhance your health and wellbeing.

Take a guided tour and witness first hand the significant impact of our Social Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) programmes. There will be a plant sale, plus tea, coffee, and homemade cakes. All proceeds from the day will go towards supporting our vital work.

Further details at www.thrive.org.uk/get-involved/events/reading-events/reading-garden-open-day. Alternatively please call 0118 988 4844 or email trunkwell@thrive.org.uk.

Abbey Square, Reading, RG1 3BQ

Reading Central Library are partnering with My Word Poetry to celebrate Black History Month for a special Welcome to Reading Coffee Morning on Saturday 12 October 2024 on the ground floor of the library.

It will be a morning of meeting people, conversation and poetry with refreshments.

Please pass the word around and if you are free, join us!

Warbler Drive, Lower Earley, RG6 4HB

Project Linus provides a sense of security and comfort to children who are sick, disabled, disadvantaged or distressed, by donating a handmade quilt lovingly made by volunteers.

Please drop in to support this fundraising and sewing day:

• Speak to Linus volunteers about the quilts they are making for children ‘in need of a hug’.
• Sales table – some good fabric bargains to be had!
• Raffle with great prizes.
• Linus quilts on display.
• Enjoy refreshments at the Crescent Cafe.

Cash only.

Download an information flyer here

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’, ‘members’ and others
• Trustee responsibilities: 6 Main Legal Duties
• Limiting liability and legal structures
• Effective board leadership and trustee roles
• Essential resources and links to help you on your way

Who should attend: The training is suitable for new and existing trustees. In some small community groups you may refer to yourselves as the Committee. If you have overall responsibility for your community group, then this course is for you.

Practicalities: Registration and arrival from 09:45. Cost £10 – refreshments included. There is no parking onsite but the Central Library is easily accessed vis public transport. Nearby car parks are Queens Road and the Oracle.

Please book online at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/trustee-training-november-session-tickets-880093923617.

Reading Town Hall, Blagrave Street, Reading, RG1 1QH

The theme for this Reading VCS Assembly is ‘making the case for prevention’:

• How to raise the needs of your organisation and community or service users.
• Find out about the RBC Closing the Gap commissioning process for prevention services.
• Hear about small community grants from Greenham Common Trust.

Agenda summary

• Cllr Liz Terry, Leader of Reading Borough Council: How your charity can work with local government.
• Yuan Yang, MP: Our voice in Parliament.
• VCS Leaders: Opportunities to participate.
• RBC Closing the Gap 2: Consultation workshop on the CTG 2 – to shape the offer to meet the needs and find potential partners.
• University of Reading: Health Inequalities Partnership.
• Greenham Trust: Community grants.

Book a space online at www.eventbrite.co.uk.

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

What will lonely and isolated people in Reading need in 2025-6 – and the groups that support them?
Rhiannon will be presenting from the Befriending Forum to the January Reading Mental Health Wellbeing Group (MHWG) on loneliness and social isolation. The MHWG reports directly to the Berkshire West Health and Wellbeing Board, so this is an opportunity to influence and enrich the Board’s understanding of local needs around loneliness.

• What do you think the MHWG needs to hear?
• What will be the main issues for your clients, staff and volunteers in 2025-6?
• How do we ensure Reading has a diverse and inclusive offer?

It will also be an opportunity for people to find out more about services that can support their befriendees and other service users who are experiencing loneliness.

The programme will include time for informal networking and an opportunity to share news, promote your service and find out about funding, events and training. Refreshments provided.

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

The Volunteer Coordinators’ Network (VCN) 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 practice and to learn from the rich experiences of colleagues working across our diverse sector.

In this quarter’s meeting, we would like to explore your experiences of supported volunteering and how we can help those facing barriers to involvement get involved. We will also be extending an invitation to groups who support those who may benefit from volunteering but may need extra support to start and maintain their involvement. The ultimate aim will be to explore funding opportunities to bring together a range of partners and grow the work already being done to make volunteering open and rewarding for all.

The Network is open to those overseeing the work of volunteers in organisations big and small and involving volunteers in a variety of ways.

Please register at rvaforms.wufoo.com/forms/m7p5e6p1ahhthh and further details and joining instructions will be sent in due course. The plan is to hold this meeting in person at our office in Reading Central Library, but this will be confirmed closer to the event.

Chain Street, Reading, RG1 2HX

Join us (and the elves) for a fun-filled, family-friendly afternoon of music, performances and Christmas reflections to celebrate and raise money for PACT’s life-changing work with children, families and the local community.

Refreshments will be available from 15:00 with welcome entertainment from magician Kye Harmsworth.

Children (and adults) are welcome to dress up as elves.

Tickets cost £12 for adults and £3 for children, or you can purchase a £26 family ticket for two adults and two children. Please book your tickets online at www.pactcharity.org/support-us/carols-at-the-minster-2.