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.
Community Participatory Action Research – applications open
25 June 2024
NHS England South East has announced that applications for the Community Participatory Action Research (CPAR) Training and Mentoring Cohort 3 are now open. The programme will support voluntary sector organisations working with communities adversely affected by health inequalities to recruit, train and mentor their workforce on CPAR. This programme will equip organisations to undertake research in their own communities. The key findings of the research will be presented to system leaders with the aim of informing decisions locally or regionally.
Trustee recruitment, training and support from RVA
20 June 2024
Are you a trustee or committee member looking for training and resources, or maybe you are a charity or community group seeking to recruit more trustees? RVA provides a wealth of support in this area for charities and community groups providing services in Reading, including: -Free Trustee Recruitment cycle and support -Trustee Training -Free templates and support to adapt these to suit your needs. Take a look at our NEW Trustee Page at www.rva.org.uk/trustee-recruitment-resources-and-support-from-rva.
Free Mental Health Support
2 June 2024
Supported self-help can make a positive difference to your mental health. It’s a free programme that works with you, to support you to recognise and understand your emotions. We give you the materials to understand and manage your feelings. And we call you regularly to give you support. This is a one-to-one guided self-help service, not a counselling service. But our practitioners do use counselling-based skills in their support.
Residents invited to vote on design for new Victoria Park play area
25 May 2024
Local residents are being invited to help choose the design for a new play area at a much-loved neighbourhood park, as part of the Council’s ongoing major investment in playgrounds across the town. £458,000 is being invested in Victoria Park in Reading which includes relocating and upgrading the play equipment to create a new, exciting and accessible play area for children aged between 3 years and 12 years.
Offices available for charity use at 10 Eaton Place, Reading RG1 7LP
25 May 2024
Avire is an agency matching charities with businesses for short-term lettings. They have an offer of a 2-storey building, sized from 1000 sq ft up to 2000 sq ft, available to charities on a rent, business rates and service charge-free basis. The charity would pay the utilities. The property can be used for office, administration, training, workshops and any other charitable use.
Life Changers Therapeutic Gardening Programme
25 May 2024
Life Changers is 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 or surgery, or living with a long term condition like diabetes, multiple sclerosis or Long Covid, people experiencing a life-changing health condition can experience the joy of gardening, build new friendships and increase social networks and build confidence to regain or maintain an active, healthy and independent life.
Funding opportunity from Tesco and easyfundraising
22 May 2024
Tesco and easyfundraising have come together again to give a helping hand to organisations working tirelessly to keep up with spiralling costs and rising demand. Easyfundraising turns the everyday online shopping of staff, members, volunteers, and supporters into funds for the organisation. Easyfundraising partners with over 8,000 brands who want to give back, transforming ordinary online shops into extraordinary rewards. Voluntary organisations, non-profit charities or CICs are eligible to apply.
ReadiBus unveils a new bus livery
24 April 2024
ReadiBus – Reading’s alternative door-to-door bus service for people with restricted mobility – unveiled a new bus livery on Wednesday 10 April 2024 in Broad Street, Reading. The ReadiBus has had a very distinctive burgundy and white livery since its inception. This is the first significant change to that bus livery in over 42 years.
Berkshire Community Foundation – Funds for Older People – deadline 2 May 2024
23 April 2024
The Berkshire Community Foundation manages a number of funds which aim to support projects tackling issues affecting older people, such as isolation, health and well-being, and is now open for grant applications. Applications will be considered from not-for-profit, voluntary or community groups, social enterprises/CIC or registered charities, that are actively working in Berkshire. Grants up to a maximum of £5,000 will be considered, subject to funding availability.
Job vacancy: CWO Social Prescribing Manager – closing date 29 April 2024
28 March 2024
RVA is looking to recruit a CWO Social Prescribing Manager to join the Community Wellness Outreach project. The CWO Social Prescribing Manager will join a small and friendly project team providing the outreach sessions. The primary responsibility of the role is to enable participants at risk of poor cardio health to make changes to improve their health outcomes. The right person is likely to be motivated to overcome health inequalities and have some understanding of good cardio health.