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.
Mental health and wellbeing support for adult asylum seekers
2 December 2021
Barnardo’s Boloh Helpline is pleased to announce the expansion of our service to support the mental health and wellbeing of adult asylum seekers across the UK. This project is funded by the Home Office and is in addition to our current service that offers support to children, young people and their parents. The Helpline will offer advice, signposting, emotional support and 8 free sessions of therapy by qualified Barnardo’s therapists.
Reading Voluntary Action is recruiting
2 December 2021This is an exciting time to join the Reading Voluntary Action team as the Advice Worker, providing maternity cover on a 13 month contract commencing February 2022. This post is integral to RVA’s services to the local voluntary and community sector and is a well-established post helping the sector to thrive. RVA are particularly interested in hearing from applicants who have a legal background, whether through having previously practiced Law or having completed the Legal Practice Course.
Voluntary sector vaccine support – helpline and information page
1 December 2021
We’ve updated our information page with links to information about getting Covid-19 and flu vaccinations in Reading this winter. Access it via the link below or via the RVA homepage. As we get more updates, for example, dates for the Health on the Move Van or community venues, we will add them here: www.rva.org.uk/vaccine-rollout.
10th GBA Awards – nominate your Berkshire Physical Activity Hero now
25 November 2021
Last year was a challenging time for the whole world and our county. The GBA Awards recognised the fantastic contribution of local individuals and organisations to the mental and physical wellbeing of Berkshire residents. The ‘Berkshire physical activity lockdown hero’, a campaign celebrating the GBA Awards’ winners, united residents, communities and activity providers around the joy and importance of physical activity, keeping spirits high during the winter lockdown.
Have you had your flu vaccination and Covid-19 booster?
24 November 2021
This winter, it’s more important than ever to get your flu vaccination and take up the offer of the Covid-19 booster jab, if you are eligible. More people are likely to get flu this winter as fewer people will have built up natural immunity to it during the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns. Making sure you get your flu jab as well as both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine and the booster jab will help protect you and those around you.
Royal Berkshire Hospital Christmas Gift Tree Appeal
18 November 2021
Every year the Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH) collects gifts for patients who will be in hospital over Christmas. Receiving a gift makes a big difference. If you would like to support RBH, you can buy and deliver your gift to one of RBH’s collection points. Presents need to be unwrapped. The hospital will check, wrap and distribute them. Please delivery your gifts to RBH by Tuesday 14 December 2021.
The Giving Tree 2021
17 November 2021
Do you want to be a Secret Santa? Buy a gift or donate so local charities can make Christmas special for those they support. Last year, thanks to your incredible generosity over 1,500 gifts were given through 16 local charities. This year, we’re going even bigger and we have 20 local charities who are receiving gifts!
School Streets have started
14 November 2021
School Streets give children the chance to walk, cycle or scoot to school safely in the street of the school without danger from traffic. This allows school children to get to know other children on their way to school, keep active and also help with social distancing during the pandemic. An organised School Street closes the road outside the school from traffic for up to 45 minutes, twice a day, during school term time only.
£30K grant announced for further Oxford Road projects
11 November 2021
Reading Council is offering funding to individuals, groups, organisations and communities from the Oxford Road to discover creative opportunities and develop exciting new cultural projects in the area. The Council is welcoming applications for grant funding from community groups, artists or creative individuals, with links to the Oxford Road area and experience of delivering high quality, co-created projects to local communities, as well as reaching residents who do not normally have access to creative opportunities.
Council pledges purge on graffiti
10 November 2021
The Council intends to embark on a purge of graffiti across Reading by doubling the size of graffiti it will remove for free from private property. A proposed change in policy would see the Council remove graffiti up to 2m² from non-Council owned buildings or property for free. The change is expected to allow for the removal of up to 500 additional pieces of graffiti in Reading, on top of 37 sites already proposed to have graffiti removed from them.