Our news is collected from our network of members, and is updated regularly. We also present information and articles from other sources that might be relevant to your kind of group.
New Victoria Park playground open for play
21 February 2025With Spring just around the corner, local children are discovering the fun to be had at Reading’s newest transformed playground. The relocated and upgraded Victoria Park, George Street play area opened ahead of schedule in December thanks to a £462,000 investment by Reading Council. The exciting and accessible play area for children aged between 3 years and 12 years will be further complemented by an outdoor gym in time for summer 2025.
Languages spoken in Reading – one-minute survey
21 February 2025The Centre for Literacy and Multilingualism at the University of Reading wants to find out what languages people in Reading speak. Please complete the one-minute survey below (even if you only speak English) and the results will be shared at a public event to celebrate International Mother Language Day on 21 February 2025. Thank you!
Run for a Cause at the Reading Half Marathon – 23 March 2025
21 February 2025Are you up for a challenge that changes lives? Join us in running the Reading Half Marathon on the 23 March 2024 at Madejski Stadium and make a real impact by raising funds for Reading Community Learning Centre (RCLC) and Prostate Cancer research! To register please contact: Dennisha Villaverde at Mayor@reading.gov.uk. Let’s run together for education, health, and hope.
A new way to help Reading’s homeless people
29 January 2025
Residents keen to help Reading’s homeless can now do so effortlessly via the new Tap for Reading initiative launching today. The scheme is designed to ensure donations from the public reach those most in need whilst helping to deter begging on the streets, by encouraging people to change their method and desire to help the homeless by giving at a number of card tap points around the town centre.
Just One Thing – kickstart a positive 2025 in Reading
27 January 2025
Reading Council today launched its New Year Just One Thing, campaign encouraging residents to embrace new experiences, uncover and remember the town’s hidden gems, enhance wellbeing and make a positive contribution. Shifting the focus from traditional New Year’s resolutions to forming lasting habits that positively impact residents and the community. Just One Thing 25 tips for 2025, encourages residents to try simple and achievable ideas, spanning health and wellbeing to exploring the town’s culture and green spaces.
Change to Civic Offices entrance
27 January 2025
Due to construction work at the Civic Offices, the entrance to the building is moving for at least a year. From 09:00 on 13 January, there will be 2 separate entrances for the public. One is for the Register Office and the other for all other council enquiries, services and visitors. There will be information around the building guiding visitors to the correct entrance. If you are visiting the Civic Centre the main entrance will be on Simmonds Street.
University of Reading Celebration of Volunteering 2025 – Nominations Open!
26 January 2025
Nominations for the Celebration of Volunteering are now open until midnight Friday 28 February 2025. Do you know of a University of Reading student, staff member, or alumni who goes above and beyond as a volunteer? Nominate them now for a Celebration of Volunteering award. The Celebration of Volunteering event will then bring together colleagues, students, alumni and community partners to award, showcase and celebrate those who have shown their dedication to volunteering on campus or in their local community.
Reading Volunteer Fair 2025
26 January 2025
Reading Voluntary Action is considering collaborating with partners to hold a Volunteer Fair in Reading later this year. RVA are keen to canvas groups on interest in such an event and when and how it can be delivered to fit the needs of as many groups as possible. RVA would be grateful if you could take a moment to complete the short questionnaire found below to allow them to gauge interest in a fair and how it can best be organised.
Community Wellness Outreach to continue until June 2025
31 December 2024
Help your community to benefit from the Community Wellness Outreach project in Reading. 1,943 NHS health checks were carried out in community settings across Reading from December 2023 to October 2024 as part of the Community Wellness Outreach project. The community healthcare initiative is a pilot project to reduce health inequalities, and continues in Reading until June 2025. Partners Reading Voluntary Action and Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust’s Meet PEET team run the health and wellbeing sessions in community venues.
Public awareness of local voluntary organisations survey
26 December 2024
To complement Reading’s Voluntary and Community Sector Survey 2024, Reading Voluntary Action has put together a survey to gather public awareness and perceptions of local charities. The short survey explores residents’ awareness of the hundreds of charities and community groups working across our town. It also gathers views on their experiences of benefiting from local services and on feelings of trust towards local charities and community groups.