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.
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.
New Emmer Green play area – have your say
22 December 2024
Local residents are being invited to help choose the design for the popular play area at Emmer Green Recreation Ground, as part of the Council’s ongoing major investment in playgrounds across the town. £350,000 is being invested in Emmer Green Recreation Ground with the play equipment being upgraded to create a new, exciting and accessible play area for children aged between 3 years and 12 years. Residents can have their say on a shortlist of two possible designs at www.emmergreenplayground.commonplace.is.
Council’s online services upgraded
20 December 2024
The council has announced a significant upgrade to its online services, to make interactions easier and more efficient. Previously, logging in to use various public-facing portals often required separate credentials. To improve your experience, there is a new Sign-On solution. This new system will allow you to access multiple services, such as: -Love Clean Reading (reporting and tracking environmental issues) -My Account (general council services) -Housing Online (housing-related matters)
RABBLE Up! Screen and Stage skills for the Whitley Community
26 November 2024
At RABBLE Up, anyone in Whitley can join our weekly sessions where we learn new skills and create theatre and film projects all about Whitley! You don’t need any experience, you just need… you: -Learn new skills -Create theatre and film projects about you and your community -Stay active and healthy -Have the opportunity to get involved on and off stage in RABBLE’s professional productions. RABBLE’s new class takes place every week at WCDA’s Whitley Community Centre Cafe, Tuesdays, 18:30.
Life Changers Therapeutic Gardening
26 November 2024
Thrive, the gardening for health charity, runs Life Changers, a free, four-month gardening programme for those living with a life-changing illness or injury to enable them to improve their health and wellbeing. Whether recovering from a stroke, cancer or surgery, or living with a long-term condition like diabetes or multiple sclerosis, people experiencing a life-changing health condition can experience the joy of gardening, build new friendships and build confidence to regain or maintain an active, healthy and independent life.