Author: Annie Willmot

Sadaka is a charity for those in need, based in Reading with an ethos of giving without judgement or bias.

Reading Theatre Forum is a collaboration of performing arts groups in Reading, formed in February 2019. Their aim is to provide access to and education in the performing arts for groups based in Reading and surrounding areas.

Citizens Advice Reading provide free, confidential and advice and are open to everyone in the community. Their volunteers are trained to advise on virtually any issue, including: welfare benefits money and credit problems employment consumer rights energy housing neighbourhood disputes education and healthcare immigration and residency queries human rights family and personal issues.

BWA works against domestic abuse and violence, providing advice, counselling and places of safety in Reading, Wokingham and Bracknell, Berkshire UK.

A Social Enterprise, founded by psychologists, ToolShed provide holistic education. They work with young people, aged 16-18, to help them get their English and Maths qualifications, relevant work experience and to increase confidence in themselves as they discover their strengths. With a huge emphasis on attitude training throughout, ToolShed help  young people explore who they […]

A local school for the local community, The Wren School‘s main goal is not only to educate the children but to empower and inspire them to ensure they are equipped for the future.

Ways into Work inspire and support the business community to realise a society where equal opportunities and life chances exist for everyone; their mission is Changing Lives, One Job at a Time.

UTC Reading School are a school for children aged 14-19. They specialise in Engineering and Computer Science, alongside a broad and balanced curriculum with the support of local and national employers and leading universities.

‘Utulivu’ is a Swahili word for ‘patience’. Utulivu work with women, senior citizens, children and young people with the support of men. Their main focus is to empower in order to integrate into the wider community through activities that promote health, education, wealth creation, healthy familiy relationships, sexual health and cultural awareness. They also provide […]

Younger People with Dementia provide a range of support and services for people below the age of 65, who are diagnosed with dementia.

The Mustard Tree supports and empowers the marginalised or overlooked by enabling social action, creating and supporting projects which address unmet needs, and speaking up for the unheard. Their projects include Starting Point, Engage Befriending and Rahab.

At the Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice in Reading, and through their Day Services in Newbury and Wokingham, the hospice look after people living with life-limiting conditions, and offers support for families too, providing expert care and support across Berkshire.

Stepping Forward work to protect and ensure the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all people who have disabilities. They do this by: Supporting individuals and families affected by disability to access services, recreational activities, education, employment and all forms of learning; Promoting the involvement and participation of individuals and families […]

Smart Works Reading opened in October 2015 with a vision of bringing the dressing and interview coaching service to women within the Thames Valley. Over 1 in 2 of their clients in Reading go to succeed at their job interview.

Shift Youth & Community (SYC) base themselves in local communities and work with churches, schools and other agencies to provide the best opportunities for young people and communities to find their purpose and their voice.

Reading Voluntary Action (RVA) exists to promote and support the individuals and groups who make up our diverse voluntary and community sector. They work to: Connect communities in Reading Improve the lives of young people and families Support the voluntary sector to grow and thrive Encourage volunteering and social action

Reading Rep Theatre are Reading’s resident professional theatre. The company combines high-class productions with ground-breaking education and community engagement to help transform Reading and the surrounding area’s cultural landscape. Reading Rep: Produces diverse new voices on the stage. Working with new directors, new playwrights and new practitioners, we present plays from classics to new writing, revivals […]

Reading Refugee Support Group (RRSG) help refugees and asulym seekers in Berkshire rebuild their lives through advice, education and integration support.

Reading Lions are a local group of volunteers who aim to promote the health and wellbeing of the Reading community by improving the local environment, helping individuals in times of need, supporting Reading based community groups and local charities.

Reading Community Learning Centre (RCLC) offer a programme of outreach activities, free training classes, workshops, a creche and social opportunities which are designed to build confidence, increase skills and reduce the social isolation of local BAME women.

Reading Association for the Blind (RAB) work to enable sight-impaired people to live full and active lives by providing the opportunity to take part in activities that they may otherwise not be able to.

Reading Advice Network (RAN) is an umbrella organisation that brings together and supports organisations providing the public with Information and Advice, in Reading (Berkshire, UK) and surrounding area. They promote excellence through ensuring their Members achieve quality standards and share their good practice. They signpost those who may need information and offer advice to Members. By working with their Members, as well […]

Progress Theatre are a self-governing, self-funding theatre group committed to promoting education in the performing arts as well as producing a programme of varied, interesting and challenging drama to the highest standard.

Parenting Special Children’s mission is to provide specialist parenting support to parents and carers of children and young people with Special Needs, so that they can create positive change in their lives.

PACT is dedicated to supporting our families through the lifetime of the adoption journey. They are one of the UK’s leading independent adoption charities, placing children with secure and loving families and supporting them with specialist therapeutic support. They also run community projects supporting vulnerable children and adults facing a range of issues including domestic […]

Nature Nurture is an award winning community organisation, enabling people to connect with wild spaces.  They are constantly imagining new and playful ways to deliver on their mission, working across the arts, conservation, wellbeing, heritage, and education sectors to provide interventions for urban dwellers from all backgrounds. They are dedicated to inclusion and focus much […]

Me2 Club enables children and young people with additional needs and disabilities, aged 5-19, in the Wokingham and Reading Boroughs, to attend mainstream activities. They do this by recruiting, training and developing volunteers to provide 1:1 (2:1 when required) support to the young people at an activity of their choice, from uniformed groups such as […]

Make-A-Wish create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Whether it’s starring in their own films, walking with dinosaurs, going on an amazing holiday, meeting a celebrity hero, or having a bedroom makeover; wishes are varied, personal and life-changing. They go above and beyond to grant amazing wishes to very amazing children; their One True […]

Launchpad is Reading’s leading homelessness prevention charity, providing vital information and support for individuals, couples and families who don’t have a stable place to live or are at risk of losing their home.

With the help of local donations and long term funders such as the Big Lottery, Henry Smith, Reading CCGs and Children in Need, Home-Start Reading help prevent crisis within Reading based families, by offering free face-to-face long-term support.

Green Health Thames Valley provides support for clients with mental health difficulties through a tailored programme of horticulture-based programmes and activities – broadly described as horticultural therapy.

Graft Thames Valley support people from disadvantaged backgrounds and/or with disabilities and/or other complex needs into employment, training and other work-related activities.

Geoffrey Field Infant School are a large infant school situated within a diverse community in the south of Reading. The school is set in extensive and attractive grounds, giving the pupils plenty of space to learn and play. Each year group benefits from its own dedicated outdoor teaching and learning area.

A community based project for local residents, Food4families aims to enable individuals to manage land in their own neighbourhoods for the sustainable growing of food.

The Elizabeth Fry Charity provide support to women, mostly on licence from prison, who have a range of complex needs. Through their work, they help women to begin to address the issues they face, to improve their lives and reduce the likelihood of further offending.

A charity with the main purpose to deliever life changing support to children under 5, who have additional needs and disabilities, as well as supporting their families. Dingley’s Promise do this through providing learning through play, advice and family support and training

A faith motivated charity, Communicare offer non-judgemental, free advice on a range of different topics including housing and benefits.

Chemogiftbags are a small charity covering the Thames Valley area. They exist to support ladies and gents undergoing chemotherapy for Breast Cancer by providing e provide a thoughtful little ‘something’ for breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

CCA provide for those in need through recycling donations of furniture, clothing and household goods. In addition, they support those with social, mental health, addiction or other issues who are looking to get back into paid employment, through work placements.

Brookfields School is part of West Berkshire Local Authority offering a personalised education and support to pupils with learning difficulties and additional needs.

Brighter Future Project CIC facilitates the provision of support for families and in particular children coming from disadvantaged- backgrounds. It aims to do this by engaging businesses and individuals in few activities, such as, BrightXmas social action or BIND children-safe networking platform. By connecting and bringing individuals, businesses, technology and professionals together, we can provide […]

Berkshire Youth work with a range of partners, including Parish Councils, to ensure the most hard to reach young people are able to access support and services when they most need them. Their mission is: ‘To be the champion of young people in Berkshire, furthering their development and education and enriching their lives through leisure […]

Berkshire Vision provide vital practical and friendly support, sport and activities to visually impaired children and adults, and their families in Berkshire. Helping to develop confidence and live independent lives safely. 

Berkshire Credit Union are a traditional community credit union, offering ethical savings and affordable loans to their members. They are a co-operative, social enterprise, owned, managed and run by members and volunteers.

A local charity working in the community to support older people, their families and carers, Age UK Reading offer services and activities such as advice, footcare, befriending & social clubs. They want everyone to be able to love later life.

Unlock Your Wellbeing provide solutions for workplace wellbeing through creating productive work communities, education about mental health and providing organisations with great training.

The Royal Berks Charity supports the work of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, raising money for projects that: Provide better facilities for patients and visitors Help to buy the most up to date equipment Support rebuilding and refurbishment projects Improve staff welfare and training

Adviza are a charity that work to inspire young people and others to make better decisions during crucial times in their lives. Overall, helping people progress in their learning and work; through partnerships with local schools and creating resources and programmes for individuals.

ABC to read (Assisting Berkshire Children to read) help to transform the lives of children who are struggling to read at primary schools across Berkshire. Their volunteer reading mentors work one-to-one with children, to build their confidence and reading skills.