Events

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.

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

Are you are small community group in Reading? Come along to our next Small Groups’ Forum on Tuesday 28 January 2025 to hear about support, funding and networking for smaller groups like yours. The session is informal, friendly and catered specifically for smaller groups as we know the challenges and support you need can be different to that of larger groups.

Who are small groups:

• Mainly volunteer led
• With a gross annual income below £50K

If you don’t think you fit this category but still identify as a small group, you’re welcome to come along. You just need to ensure your group is offering some activities or services in Reading.

The January session will cover:

• Tips on engaging your community and sharing responsibility on your committee
• Understanding charity status/registration
• Funding opportunities for small groups
• Networking with each other

This is a friendly, informal session hosted by 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.

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

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

RVA is running an in-person session in February 2025 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

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