Newsletter2

News from Reading Neighbourhood Network
News compiled on 28 March 2024
Welcome to the latest Reading Neighbourhood Network Newsletter, where you will find all the latest news and events from our members. All our news and much more can be found on our website at www.rgneighbours.net.
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News articles
  • RBC/ACRE: Community Health Champions Project Grants – Deadline extended to 5 April 2024

    28 March 2024

    Reading Borough Council, together with Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality, are inviting local organisations who support Reading residents with their health and wellbeing to apply for this project grant. The grants are designed to support community-based organisations working with those at the greatest risk of experiencing poor health outcomes and health inequalities.

    This grants programme is aimed at voluntary and community groups based in Reading Borough including:
    -Charitable organisations
    -Voluntary organisations
    -Constituted community groups
    -Faith groups
    -Sports groups
    -Arts groups
    -Cultural organisations
    -Not-for-profit social enterprises

    Groups can apply in partnership or as a single organisation.

    The project is inviting applications for funding that support the following project grant criteria:
    -Projects which strengthen community development by empowering individuals in the community to identify their strengths, support other members of the community and consolidates community relationships.
    -Projects which encourage individuals in the community to harness their skills, resources and knowledge to support other members of the community and reduce health inequalities.
    -Projects which include working with Community Health Champions to identify community needs and developing initiatives or support to meet those needs
    -Projects which address misinformation about health and wellbeing in our local communities, including working to build trust between our communities and statutory organisations, including health partners.
    -Projects which encourage and support residents to access appropriate health and wellbeing services and accurate health and wellbeing information
    -Projects which look to explore, understand and evidence health inequalities in the communities of Reading
    -Projects which support Reading residents to access vaccines or information about vaccination, including the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, the flu vaccine and Covid-19 vaccines.

    Funding requirements – If your application is successful:
    -Your organisation is expected to recruit at least one voluntary Community Health Champion (CHC) within their organisation. The Champion could be an existing paid member of staff, a volunteer, or a service user/participant. Training and support will be provided to any recruited CHCs by the CHC team.
    -Your organisation will also be offered the opportunity to host NHS Health Check pop up events as part of the Community Wellness Outreach (CWO) project. The aim of the CWO project is to bring NHS Health Checks and health and wellbeing support to the communities of Reading.

    What the funding can be used for: The funding can be used to pay for the infrastructure and/or additional capacity needed by voluntary and community organisations to expand their existing work or to deliver new projects.
    -Local ‘one-off’ and small projects.
    -Running events.
    -Minor start-up costs (for example, to get a new idea/project off the ground).
    -Running costs such as hall hire and staff capacity.
    -Purchasing equipment.
    -Sessional costs (including staffing costs).

    Further information/how to apply:
    -Organisations can apply for grants of up to £10,000 (from an available pot of £44,000)
    -Guidance notes and an online application form can be found on the Reading Borough Council website at www.reading.gov.uk
    -The deadline for applications is 5 April 2024 at 17:00

    For further support from RVA with preparing your application or the policies and procedures required for this funding, contact Herjeet Randhawa at herjeet.randhawa@rva.org.uk.

    Continue reading →
  • Job vacancy: CWO Social Prescribing Manager – closing date 29 April 2024

    28 March 2024

    News from: Reading Voluntary Action (RVA)

    RVA is looking to recruit a CWO Social Prescribing Manager to join the Community Wellness Outreach [CWO] project.

    The mission of CWO: A collaboration of local health and voluntary services to support people’s wellbeing, enabling them to live fulfilling lives, make healthy choices and address inequalities that impact them, in the places they live. Delivering a full Health Check, in community settings, by qualified nurses. Helping those who are most at risk of serious health issues such as cardiovascular disease, and diabetes to identify ways to reduce their risk. Providing advice and guidance enabling people to take steps to address other issues that are impacting on their health and wellbeing.

    Summary of the role: 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.

    CWO Social Prescribing Manager Job description and Person Specification

    Reading Voluntary Action (RVA)
    Contract type: Part time
    Location: Greater Reading
    Salary: £32,000 pro rata
    Contact: Rachel Spencer
    Main contact telephone: 01189 372273
    Email: rachel.spencer@rva.org.uk
    Reference number for post: 2024/09
    How to apply: Applications can be made by submitting an application form – RVA Application Form
    Closing date for applications: 29 April 2024

    Continue reading →
  • Thinking of holding a street party? Free road closures available this summer

    21 March 2024Thinking of holding a street party? Free road closures available this summer

    A street party is a great way to bring your neighbours together and have fun, and as in previous years communities across Reading are invited to host street parties without having to pay the usual road closure fees. This year the council has announced that free road closures will be available for street parties that take place on any weekend in June or July.

    To apply to hold a street party, please use the online application form at www.reading.gov.uk/streetparties. The deadline for applications this year is 29 April 2024.

    Closing a street will need agreement from the affected households – the forms are quite straightforward and completed applications from most streets that are not on bus routes will be accepted. Even if you are unable to close your street you might be able to have a party in a local park or other area of open space.

    For further ideas or help in planning your street party please visit the Street Party official website at www.streetparty.org.uk.

    Continue reading →
  • New app for Reading’s library users

    26 February 2024New app for Reading's library users

    Residents can now reserve or renew books in any of the town’s libraries with a new app. The Library App gives residents the ability to reserve or renew books remotely, enabling users to manage their library accounts conveniently from their devices. The app enhances the overall user experience and will help users access all the resources available from Reading Libraries wherever they are.

    Residents will have 24/7 access to library resources where they can complete research, extend loans, make reservations and requests and interact with library resources from anywhere, at any time.

    Key features of the Reading Libraries app include:

    -Multiple library accounts can be managed in one app, all the families library ‘cards’ in one place
    -Search the full Reading Borough Council library catalogue and reserve a book to collect at your local library
    -Extend the loans of books via the app
    -Access eBooks, audio books and eMagazines and other online resources
    -Reading’s library stock is now more accessible, as well as being completely free to borrow.

    Librarians, kiosks and book drops continue to be available in-branch and branch opening times can also be checked in the app.

    The app can be downloaded here https://www.yourlibraryapp.com/ReadingLibraries.

    Continue reading →
  • BBC Radio Berkshire Make a Difference Awards 2024

    7 February 2024BBC Radio Berkshire Make a Difference Awards 2024

    News from: BBC Radio Berkshire

    The BBC Radio Berkshire Make a Difference Awards are back for 2024.

    For the third year, BBC Radio Berkshire wants to celebrate and say thank you to people living in our villages and towns who make where we live a better place. Every day we hear stories of people doing incredible things for each other and their communities. Now it’s time to recognise them for all their hard work.

    Whether it’s caring for someone in need, being a brilliant neighbour, or inspiring children in the classroom, if you know someone who is really making a difference to your life or where you live, then you can nominate them for an Award.

    There are 8 categories;

    -Volunteer
    -Community
    -Fundraiser
    -Carer
    -Great Neighbour
    -Bravery
    -The Green Award
    -The Animal Award

    Nominations are now open and will close on Sunday 10 March 2024 at 23:00. The winners will be announced at our Make a Difference awards ceremony in September.

    You can nominate someone you know online at www.bbc.co.uk/makeadifference, where you can also see the full Terms and Privacy Notice.

    Please note that you can’t nominate yourself and you can’t nominate any of the winners or shortlisted nominees from last year’s awards in the same category.

    There’s also a guide on how to nominate at: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0h8k50p.

    Continue reading →

Upcoming events

Event Information:

  • Thu
    28
    Feb
    2019

    Introduction to community organising

    10:00 - 16:00The Calcot Centre

    Highview, Reading RG31 4XD

    This fun, energetic, free course introduces you to community organising. This whole day training event is facilitated by independent charity Community Council for Berkshire (CCB) and run by community organisers.

    What is community organising?
    Community organising is the work of bringing people together to take action around their common concerns and overcome social injustice. Community organisers reach out and listen, connect and motivate people to build their collective power. When people are organised, communities get heard and power begins to shift creating real change for good.

    What does the course cover?
    This one-day course is an introduction to community organising as a process which can reach out and bring people together to form stronger relationships and develop community activities together. During this course you will explore:

    • What community organising is
    • The importance of listening to build relationships and uncover issues
    • Power in communities and why it matters
    • How to motivate people to take action
    • How to take your next steps in community organising and social action.

    This course is free to attend but places are limited so a £10 administration fee will be charged if you fail to attend the course. To book your place please complete the online form on the website at https://ccb2017.wordpress.com.


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