We are so delighted to have welcomed the wonderful University of Reading to Connect Reading! Sarah Gardner, Community Relations Manager, shared with us a bit about what their last year has been like, what they’re looking forward to, and how you can connect with them. The University are really passionate about local community and they’d […]
University of Reading
The University of Reading has been at the forefront of UK higher education for nearly a century. Over the decades they have become innovators and pioneers, pushing academic boundaries and leading social change. Positive engagement with the local community is important to the University and they we offer a wide range of events and activities open […]
Sadaka
Sadaka is a charity for those in need, based in Reading with an ethos of giving without judgement or bias.
What is Ethical Angel?
We love creating connections and we’re proud to be working with Ethical Angel to help our members receive free virtual support through their platform. Watch this video from Natu Hadish, Head of Causes at Ethical Angel, to learn a little more about the benefits of becoming part of their network. As a charity or CIC, […]
The Giving Tree 2020
Over 1,500 gifts bought for disadvantaged children and young people in Reading. Over £5,500 raised by you online. Over £5,600 donated by local businesses. And over £4,400 underwritten by us at Connect Reading because we believe in the cause so much. “The generosity of The Giving Tree gave us an opportunity to identify children, young […]
Minutes of Connect Reading AGM 2019/20
We had our 2019/20 AGM on Friday 4th December 12.15pm on Zoom. Thank you to those of you who joined us. If you’d like to read the minutes you can find them below to download in PDF or HTML format. Our annual report can also be found below. If you have any questions then please […]
Connect Reading AGM & Annual Report
Come join us for our AGM on Friday 4th December 12.15pm. Click here to pre-register on Eventbrite. We’ll be approving last year’s minutes and sharing info from our impact report, both of which you can download below.
The Giving Tree Colouring Sheets
Calling all parents, carers, childminders and schools! We know how much you love being able to choose gifts for The Giving Tree with your children. We know it’s not the same but on our donation page you’ll find some example images of the gifts your money will buy. We’ve also created some colouring sheets with […]
The Giving Tree 2020
THE GIVING TREE It’s November. It’s 49 days until Christmas. And, The Giving Tree is live! Much like many things this year it looks a little different to normal but we are delighted that you are still able to be a Secret Santa for a child or young person in Reading this year! Head to our campaign page […]
CSR, Covid and Climate Change
CSR, Covid and Climate Change – a chance to Build Back Better CSR – or Corporate Social Responsibility – has its origins in the philanthropy practised by wealthy industrialists who funded the construction of public buildings not only for the benefit of society but as a way of leaving their mark as a person of influence […]
Upcoming Event | From the Jobseeker’s Perspective
The pandemic has had a huge impact on many people’s employment status. From the Jobseeker’s Perspective is an event for those looking for work and those supporting jobseekers. We’ll hear from Connect Reading members with experience of career change, bouncing back from redundancy and helping individuals become work-ready. Sessions will include topics such as interview techniques; presenting; […]
Reading Theatre Forum
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.
Holy Brook Associates
Holy Brook Associates was created by Rachel Eden in 2014 with a simple aim: to help business owners improve how they run their organisations. Their associates provide training to help clients communicate with their audiences more effectively and to be more strategic and innovative in their thinking. And, their Finance Team helps clients to handle […]
Citizens Advice Reading
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.
Berkshire Women’s Aid
BWA works against domestic abuse and violence, providing advice, counselling and places of safety in Reading, Wokingham and Bracknell, Berkshire UK.
Reading RESCUE Autumn 2020
Reading RESCUE – Rivers and Environmental Spaces Clean-Up Event – our bi-annual environmental clean-up event looked a little different this year! Due to current Covid-19 restrictions, sadly we made the decision not to go ahead with the event in the usual format. However, our local environment and community are our first priority and we were […]
ToolShed
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 […]
Workday
Workday’s finance, HR, and planning system helps organisations of all sizes meet the future with confidence.
The Oracle
Since opening in 1999, The Oracle Shopping Centre has become the foremost shopping and leisure destination in the heart of Reading town centre, is the region’s premier shopping and leisure destination
Reading Buses
Reading Buses are proud to have been transporting customers in and around Reading for over 100 years. They are committed to providing a quality bus service with a strong focus on customer service and innovation. Along with their owners, Reading Borough Council (RBC), they are successfully reducing car dependency for access to the area, both […]
Reading Climate Action Network
Reading Climate Action Network (Reading CAN) are a network of people and organisations that are actively trying to improve our town’s response to climate change, and the challenges this brings.
Reading Borough Council
Reading Borough Council is responsible for the local services for around 155,000 residents including education, planning and transport.
Pierre Fabre
Pierre Fabre take care of life by designing and developing innovative solutions inspired by consumers and patients and contributing to the well-being of everyone from health to beauty.They achieve this by cooperating with health-care professionals, trusted partners worldwide, by drawing relentless inspiration from nature and plants, and by placing pharmaceutical ethics at the very heart […]
OrangeGrove
OrangeGrove are a cutting edge web design and UX agency, achieving business-changing results for the companies they work with. Everything they do and recommend is backed by science and psychology.
Oracle
Oracle’s mission is to help people see data in new ways, discover insights, unlock endless possibilities.
Novotel Reading Centre
Perfectly suited to family or business stays, Novotel Reading Centre sits in the heart of the town.
Natural Netwalking
Netwalking is the new active alternative to traditional indoor business networking.
MHA MacIntyre Hudson
As a firm of chartered accountants, tax and business advisers, MHA MacIntyre Hudson provide a full range of financial and business services to enterprises and individuals helping them to achieve growth and long-term success.
Lighting Fires Coaching
Lighting Fires Coaching are a small company of accredited executive and career coaches who all have coaching psychology qualifications from Henley Business School and business experience. Lighting Fires develops individual clients and teams by building self-belief and the courage to fulfil their potential. Empowerment and fresh thinking builds new, more capable leaders.
Initiate App
The Initiate App connects volunteers, people in need, non-profits and businesses.
Holiday Inn Reading-South
Holiday Inn Reading- South is a smart, modern hotel near central Reading, with a health club and top-of-the-line conference facilities.
Green Park
Green Park offers a high quality business environment in an established location with first class on-site amenities, enjoyed by around over 7,000 people already on the Park. Their range of office accommodation gives forward thinking businesses the ability to flex and the space to perform.
CH & CO
CH & CO are a group of chefs, nutritionists and people pleasers with a shared passion for food that fuels emotional positivity as well as physical wellbeing. In a world where what we consume is becoming ever faster and more disposable, they are proud to take a more thoughtful, mindful approach to the food experiences […]
Broad Street Mall
Broad Street Mall hosts a variety of retailers from nationals, through to a number of small independent retailers. They are key stakeholder in the community and thus are committed to sustaining such relationships.
The Wren School
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
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
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
‘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
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
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.
Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice
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
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
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
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
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
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
Reading Refugee Support Group (RRSG) help refugees and asulym seekers in Berkshire rebuild their lives through advice, education and integration support.
Reading Lions
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Home-Start Reading
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
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
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
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.
Food4families
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.
Elizabeth Fry
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.
Dingley’s Promise
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
Communicare
A faith motivated charity, Communicare offer non-judgemental, free advice on a range of different topics including housing and benefits.
Chemogiftbags
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Age UK Reading
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.
14 non-profit members clean-up!
One of the things we love to do at Connect Reading is to help broker redundant or surplus resources. So, when Reading UK CIC got in touch with us to ask if we could help re-distribute 1,500 bottles of antibacterial hand wash, we leapt into action! A call went out to our non-profit members to ask […]
What is Reading RESCUE?
Reading RESCUE – Rivers and Environmental Spaces Clean-Up Event – is our bi-annual environmental clean-up event. Clean up teams are made up of people from community groups, local businesses and other local volunteers. The event is supported by Reading Borough Council through rubbish pick-ups, and sponsored by Thames Water. When did it begin? The event […]
Britannia Pharmaceuticals
Britannia Pharmaceuticals specialise in innovative products for chronic and serious medical conditions, and in particular, the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. For more than 30 years, they have invested in clinical trials, pioneering research and the development of patient-friendly therapy administration.
Thames Water
Every day, Thames Water serve 15 million customers across London and the Thames Valley.
Wipro
As the world transitions to a new normal, Wipro is empowering a more resilient future for customers and communities. From building more adaptive “business-anywhere” frameworks to advanced technologies that fuel the intelligent enterprise, Wipro helps businesses thrive in a world defined by disruption and fueled by transformative technology.
Active Workplace Solutions
Active Workplace Solutions are a business with many years in the office interiors industry, their team has the skills and dedication to provide a business with the environment best suited to their needs. Whether an organisation need a new office design, an office fit out service, or help like to relocate and find a new […]
Unlock Your Wellbeing
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
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
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
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.