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.
A Warm Welcome Toolkit
13 October 2021We are delighted to share with you the Warm Welcome toolkit: A free guide to running activities with older people. Throughout the past six years, older people have continually told us that being offered a Warm Welcome is essential when encouraging them to take part in activities and remain connected in their communities. This sort of ‘pull’ is even more important if an older person has faced loneliness or social isolation.
Volunteer School Street Marshals required
7 October 2021We are looking for volunteer School Street Marshals for a new School Street opening in east Reading in November. The new School Street is due to open on Crescent Road, benefiting Maiden Erlegh School, UTC and Alfred Sutton Primary School. Crescent Road School Street will run from 08:15 to 09:00 and 14:45 to 15:30, Monday to Friday in term time only. We also currently have three School Streets at Park Lane Junior School, Wilson Primary and Thameside Primary.
The Parent Employment Wellbeing project
5 October 2021
Reading Voluntary Action is excited to share that the Parent Employment Wellbeing project started on Monday 4 October, and will be delivered until September 2022 by Anna Chapman, RVA’s Schools and Parent Engagement Officer. The focus of the project is to support parents towards and into training, courses, voluntary work and paid employment while considering improving their wellbeing.
Rediscover events and activities at Reading Libraries this October
30 September 2021
Rediscover free family events and activities at Reading Libraries this October. A lively calendar includes performance, arts & crafts, treasure hunts, author readings and workshops. The celebration launches with a live performance at Reading Central Library, with Bernadette Russell performing her 366 days of Kindness tour on Friday 1 October at 19:00. Email info@readinglibraries.org.uk or phone 01189 375950 to book a free ticket.
Reading celebrates Black History Month 2021
30 September 2021
A celebration of drama, comedy, art and conversation are all on the menu for this year’s Black History Month 2021 in Reading. This year’s programme taking place across the town during October recognises the important contribution our diverse black community has made, and continues to make to our town and indeed across the country. There is a packed calendar of fascinating speakers, lively debate, thought-provoking films and entertaining theatrical productions, with many events free of charge.
Help children enjoy reading in Whitley, Caversham and Coley schools
27 September 2021ABC to read aims to advance the education and self confidence of children in Berkshire, particularly by helping them overcome reading difficulties, thereby promoting their general well being. They are looking to recruit more volunteers to assist local children, and are particularly keen for people who would be able to assist in schools in Whitley, Caversham and Coley, although all applications are welcome.
BCF Vital for Berkshire Fund – deadline 18 October 2021
23 September 2021
This Berkshire Community Fund round of funding will focus broadly on charities serving key groups such as children and young people, older people, those with disabilities and those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure an even spread of funding across Berkshire, in this round they encourage groups in Slough and those providing youth activities in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead to apply. However they will remain open to applications from Berkshire-based groups outside these two areas.
PCC Community Fund – deadline Sunday 3 October 2021
23 September 2021
The Police & Crime Commissioner Community Fund is intended to support voluntary and community groups that help to prevent crime and keep communities safe. The Fund will be open for applications twice a year for projects that help to achieve the objectives of the PCC’s Police and Criminal Justice Plan. Applications for the latest round of the Community Fund are now open until Sunday 3 October at 11:59.
Office space to rent in London Street – available October 2021
22 September 2021A great opportunity to rent office space in central Reading from October 2021. Reading Community Learning Centre, based at 94 London Street, is looking for tenants to share its Grade 2 listed building, and is also offering classrooms and meeting spaces for hire. If you are interested in exploring sharing our building, please email Aisha Malik, Centre Manager, at aishamalik@rclc.org.uk, phone her on 01189 595455 or call Sarah Del Tufo on 07747 667469.
Get Online sessions are opening up again
22 September 2021
We are pleased at last to be able to announce that our Get Online drop-in sessions are gradually starting up again at venues around Reading. We have already started monthly Friday sessions at a new venue – Oak Tree House in Dee Park. The next session there will be on Friday 8 October at 11:00. Monthly sessions are also restarting at the Whitley Wood Community Centre’s Tuesday community hub, on the last Tuesday of the month.