News

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.

  • Funding to help keep vulnerable adults safe in their homes

    26 November 2023Funding to help keep vulnerable adults safe in their homes

    The significant grant of £1.08 million – spanning a two year period – will enable the council to expand its Independent Living Care Technology Solutions, building on the success of the pilot program which took place over the last nine months. The project is part of the Council’s wider digital transformation programme, which aims to use digital technologies to make a real difference to the lives of residents.

  • Town centre measures to improve safety

    26 November 2023Town centre measures to improve safety

    Improving the safety of women and girls in Reading town centre is at the heart of a raft of new security measures revealed by Reading Borough Council. The boost to the number of CCTV cameras and streetlights, and the launch of a Thames Valley Police initiative to identify potential predatory offenders, are among the measures introduced which make women and girls feel safer and support the town centre’s night-time economy.

  • Joy Marketplace – free online visibility for local voluntary organisations

    25 November 2023Joy Marketplace – free online visibility for local voluntary organisations

    Joy is an online platform that connects people to life-changing local services. It instantly refers clients to high-quality support on the marketplace of services, which automatically stays up to date. It’s free for VCOs to join and gives your organisation visibility to the public and to health and wellbeing professionals. You can easily customise your organisation’s public-facing page. For more information or to sign up to the Joy Marketplace please see the website at www.thejoyapp.com/products/marketplace.

  • Reading Family Aid – Toys & Teens Appeal 2023, closing 3 December 2023

    25 November 2023Reading Family Aid - Toys & Teens Appeal 2023, closing 3 December 2023

    The Toys and Teens Appeal has been running for over 60 years in various forms. Today we are asking people who live in Reading and district to donate toys and gifts for children living in the Reading area who otherwise would have no Christmas presents. Our appeal closes on 3 December. Please visit our website for full information: www.readingfamilyaid.org/toys–teens-appeal.html

  • Residents to save money through council solar initiative

    26 October 2023Residents to save money through council solar initiative

    A total of 239 Reading households are set to benefit from cheaper electricity, having taken up an opportunity to have solar panels installed in the most cost-effective and hassle-free way possible. In June residents were offered the chance, through the Solar Together initiative, to take advantage of competitive rates on solar panels and battery storage thanks to a group-buying scheme in operation across a number of Berkshire councils. Registration was free with no obligation to go ahead with an installation.

  • Reading Bridge celebrates centenary

    26 October 2023Reading Bridge celebrates centenary

    News from: Reading Borough Council – Historic celebrations took place as iconic local landmark Reading Bridge celebrated its centenary. Exactly 100 years to the day since chairman of the Borough Extension Committee, John Wessley Martin, originally opened the bridge, a plaque to mark the occasion was unveiled by Mayor of Reading, Cllr Tony Page, other dignitaries and members of CADRA, the Caversham and District Residents’ Association.

  • Free coaching for Reading’s charities

    25 October 2023Free coaching for Reading’s charities

    News from: Reading Voluntary Action – Coaching Reading are a group of Reading based coaching professionals and enthusiasts who have come together to share knowledge and ideas, support the community, and to develop and learn. Thanks to the generosity of its members, they are able to provide gift-in-kind coaching support to local individuals and organisations who might not otherwise be able to access it.

  • Berkshire West mental health grants for disadvantaged communities 2023-24 – Deadline on Wednesday 22 November

    25 October 2023Berkshire West mental health grants for disadvantaged communities 2023-24 – Deadline on Wednesday 22 November

    RVA has been asked to manage a small grants process to deliver wellbeing projects with a focus on inclusion for communities within Berkshire West at risk of experiencing health inequalities. Expressions of interest are welcome and voluntary and community organisations can apply for a maximum of £5,000 per organisation. Charities or organisations can bid together for whole community approaches to tackle a particular issue, support community involvement, upskilling communities, creating hubs and safe spaces.

  • Have your say: new Waterloo Meadows play area

    23 September 2023Have your say: new Waterloo Meadows play area

    RBC is inviting local residents to help choose the design for a new play area at Waterloo Meadows, positioned alongside the River Kennet by Elgar Road and Rose Kiln Lane, as part of the Council’s ongoing major investment in playgrounds across Reading’s parks. Scenic Waterloo Meadows boasts a variety of facilities and landscapes including beautiful willows dotted along the river banks. Local residents are now being invited to have their say on a shortlist of four new play areas.

  • Saying Thank You on BBC Radio Berkshire

    22 September 2023Saying Thank You on BBC Radio Berkshire

    BBC Radio Berkshire wants your help. They are creating a brand-new afternoon show which will cover both Berkshire and Oxfordshire. This will be featuring a segment offering thanks to a person or people who have made a difference in someone else’s life. If you would like to thank someone who has inspired/impacted your life, and would like to talk about it on air then please get involved as BBC Radio Berkshire would love to hear from you.