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 online workshops from The Real Business Club
20 January 2022
The Real Business Club are running new interactive online workshops to help businesses grow. The workshops start in March 2022 and are free to business owners, no matter what kind of business they run. They offer clear and practical advice on best marketing routes and guidance on planning a strategy, and are run by business experts. For further details about what is covered in each workshop and to book, go to The Real Business Club website at www.therealbusinessclub.co.uk.
BCF Vital for Berkshire – deadline 10 February 2022
20 January 2022
The Spring 2022 round of Vital for Berkshire funding is open to support charities and groups tackling vital needs in Berkshire such as support for young and vulnerable people, poverty and isolation, physical and mental health, and much more. If you are interested in applying for funding, an Eligibility Quiz is available on the website at www.berkshirecf.org/available-funding/vital-for-berkshire-fund, fill in the Quiz to receive a link to an online Application Form.
Walk-in vaccinations resume at Broad Street Mall
15 January 2022
The vaccination centre in Broad Street Mall re-opened for walk-in Covid-19 vaccinations on 10 January 2022. The site, located where the old New Look shop used to be inside Broad Street Mall, is open from 9am to 7pm every day. The walk-in centre offers: -First doses -Second doses -Boosters -Third doses for a weakened immune system (important: if you are attending for a third dose you need to bring your referral letter from a GP or hospital doctor).
ABC to Read calls on schools to return volunteers to the classroom
24 December 2021Only 70% of the schools that previously used ABC to Read mentors to support children struggling with their reading have reinstated those volunteers, despite government guidelines clearly stating that such support is allowed. The charity is urging all local primary schools to adhere to government guidance and bring their trained volunteer mentors back into the classroom so that they can give one-to-one support to the children who need it most.
Community Consultation for Quality of Life: can you help?
16 December 2021At the University of Reading’s school of architecture we are involved in a research project called Community Consultation for Quality of Life. The aim of the project is to review approaches to community consultation across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and to provide space for people to have a say in the planning of their city. The project involves us setting up a physical space for community consultation in the Broad Street Mall and an associated digital platform.
Compass Recovery College courses for January-April 2022
15 December 2021
Compass Recovery College has published its prospectus and course schedule for January to April 2022. Next term sees the college continuing to offer both online and in person health and wellbeing workshops which are free and open to everyone. You can register quickly and easily and find further information on the Compass Recovery College website (www.compassrecoverycollege.uk).
Winter community food sites 2021
9 December 2021
The commitment of Reading’s local community food hubs shines bright this holiday season. Many people across the country continue to struggle to make ends meet, including those in our town. Below is a selection of voluntary community groups working in neighbourhoods across Reading that will be in service over the holidays. Some sites specialise in fresh food collected from supermarkets, cafes, etc; others offer cooked meals; some supply long shelf-life food and other items like toiletries and clothes.
Reading submits city status bid
9 December 2021
Reading has submitted its bid for City Status as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022. Designed in consultation with residents, the voluntary sector and the business community, the bid is a celebration of everything Reading which makes it such a great place to live, work and visit, in particular the people, the communities and the spirit which set it apart. The bid document can be found at https://www.reading.gov.uk/citystatusbid.
Is your charity or community group looking for storage space?
8 December 2021
In view of recent requests for storage space for the sector, RVA is collecting details from groups and charities about what space is required. If your group is looking for storage space, perhaps because you have migrated to more hybrid working with less office space, or if this is a long-standing issue for you, please take 5 minutes to complete the survey below. This will help us to identify what is needed for the sector and to explore some options.
Winter Wellbeing campaign
2 December 2021
With the cold winter nights now drawing in RBC are encouraging everyone to take a number of steps to stay well over the winter period. We know that the coming weeks will be a difficult time for many of us in our town. Winter can increase isolation, loneliness and causes financial hardship for many people worried about paying increased heating bills.