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.
Lockdown easing delayed: what community groups needs to know
19 June 2021This week the government announced that they would be pausing at Step 3 of the Spring 2021 Roadmap to the lifting of the coronavirus restrictions due to the increase of the Delta variant. This means that Step 3 coronavirus restrictions remain in place. It is expected that the earliest we will now move to Step 4 is on the 19 July 2021. However, all organisations should continue to check government updates for any changes to this.
RBC funding to support community and voluntary groups – closing date 25 July 2021
18 June 2021
Small Grants Fund 2021/22:- RBC’s £100k Small Grants Fund 2021/22 is available for voluntary and community groups to apply for funding for community-led activities that tackle poverty and support mental wellbeing. Start-up/re-start grants for community groups:- The Council has also allocated £50k of its CEV funding from the Government for Start-up/re-start grants to help community group meetings or activities get going again after lockdown to help people regain community connections where they may have already undergone lengthy periods of self-isolation.
Covid surge testing starts in Reading
4 June 2021
A Covid surge testing programme is underway for residents, workers and students over the age of 12 in the following postcode areas: RG1 3, RG1 5, RG1 6, RG1 7. Testing takes place from Monday 7 June until Sunday 20 June. There is currently no change to local restrictions in the light of this testing. You can still travel to work and school in the affected areas.
Water Fest is back!
22 May 2021
Reading Borough Council is delighted to announce the return of its much-loved Reading Water Fest on 19 June this year as the flagship celebration event to mark the 900th anniversary of Reading Abbey. 2021 is an incredibly auspicious year for Reading – marking 900 years since Reading Abbey, originally one of Europe’s largest royal monasteries, was founded by King Henry I of England. Reading Water Fest will be the focal celebration event for this landmark year.
The Weller Centre wins award for Outstanding Contribution to the Community
21 May 2021
Congratulations to The Weller Centre on winning the Outstanding Contribution to the Community award at the recent Thames Valley Business and Community Awards. The Thames Valley Business and Community Awards judges commented: “We wish that there were more centres like this around the country, centres that support numerous groups, clubs and classes in the heart of the community. This facility will help people of all ages.”
Brighter Futures for Children seeks activity providers
18 May 2021
The Department for Education (DfE) is providing funding to local authorities to coordinate a programme that provides healthy food and enriching activities to disadvantaged children during the 2021 Easter, Summer and Christmas Holidays. Brighter Futures for Children is coordinating the programme locally and we are looking to work with a range of providers including community-based organisations, existing holiday care providers, schools, childminders, sports coaching, volunteer organisations, creative and performing arts providers and many others.
Growing Careers – new courses starting in June
18 May 2021Food4Families is offering Growing Careers – a free 6-week series of courses starting in June these offer a practical, hands-on introduction to what your could be doing if you got a job in horticulture. -1.5 hour sessions, based outdoors in local Reading community gardens -seed sowing and propagation -plant care -soil health -garden maintenance -sustainable growing techniques. For dates, times and locations please download this flyer.
Help save lives by donating blood plasma
11 May 2021
The NHS Blood and Transplant service needs help from men aged 17 to 66. In April, the service began collecting blood plasma from donations to make vital antibody-based medicines and we urgently need more people to make donations. These medicines, called immunoglobulins, will help thousands of people with immune diseases. Thousands of patients rely on immunoglobulin medicines for short-term treatment or lifelong diseases. NHS Blood and Transplant is asking for men to consider donating their blood plasma.
Interested in tenants’ rights? ACORN needs you!
26 April 2021The ACORN community union, representing tenants, is hoping to set up a branch in Reading. The union is about organising for a fairer deal for tenants and focuses on housing issues. To establish a branch locally, ACORN needs to get a membership of 100. The union will then appoint a branch organiser, which is a paid role, but they need to see enough local support before they will invest in an employee.
Berkshire Community Foundation Vital for Berkshire Coronavirus Fund – deadline 10 May 2021
21 April 2021
Berkshire Community Foundation will be allocating funds to local charities, community and voluntary groups impacted by and working to help people affected by the ongoing Covid-19 crisis in Berkshire. Their aims are: -To help organisations respond to immediate needs. -To help stabilise organisations supporting those in need. -To help organisations adapt to the crisis. Grants up to a maximum of £5,000 will be considered, subject to funding availability.