We’re delighted to welcome Aspire2 to the Connect Reading community, our first new member in 2022! Helen Bligh, their Charity Development Manager, took the time to explain a little more of what Aspire2 is all about. Spotlight On: Aspire2 Aspire2’s aim is to deliver rich experiences to help children and young people in Whitley to […]
The Giving Tree Colouring Sheets 2021
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 and we are so excited that it’s possible this year! We’d love to share with your our colouring sheets with the QR code on so that you can chat about […]
The Giving Tree 2021 launches!
Want to be a Secret Santa? Buy a gift or donate so local charities can make Christmas special for those they support. The week of 15th November sees the launch of Connect Reading’s Giving Tree – an opportunity for the wonderful people of Reading to show their generosity by buying a gift for someone supported […]
Connecting with the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Connecting with the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust We were delighted to welcome Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust into our Connect Reading community last month. We’re thrilled that they are just as excited to join us as we are to have them! Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust are pleased to announce their membership to Connect […]
Spotlight On: Reading FC Community Trust
We’re delighted to welcome Reading FC Community Trust to the Connect Reading community! Paul Brown, Premier League Strategic Lead / Premier League Kicks Lead, took some time to chat to us and share a bit more about who they are, what they do and how you can connect with them. Reading FC Community Trust At Reading […]
Spotlight On: Glorifico
We love Glorifico’s enthusiasm and passion for bringing people together with music. Dean Jones, Founder of Glorifico, took some time to chat with us and tell us a bit more about the work they do. Glorifico We provide fresh, innovative services and programmes using music as the catalyst. Right now, our clients are from the […]
Spotlight On: No5
We’re delighted to have welcomed No5 to our Connect Reading community. Carly Newman, Operations and Relationships Manager, took some time to tell us all about them and answer some questions about the wonderful work they do. No5 No5 provides free, confidential, open-access mental health support and face-to-face, online and in-school counselling for young people aged […]
Join No5 for a night of music and dancing!
Join No5 for their 50th Anniversary Fundraising Gala on Saturday 20th November 2021 at the Hilton! No5’s Fundraising Gala Join No5 Young People for a Night of Music and Dancing to Celebrate 50 Years of Supporting Young People’s Mental Health For 50 years, No5 Young People (No5) has been at the centre of the Reading […]
Spotlight On: Viva Photography
Caroline Gratrix, owner of Viva Photography, brings so much positivty and such a love of Reading to our Connect Reading Community! Viva Photography Viva Photography has been running for nearly 20 years. Over that time I covered lots of genres of photography from weddings, products, families and studio work. These days I focus predominantly on […]
Spotlight On: Royal Berks Charity
Royal Berks Charity have been part of the Connect Reading family for a while and it was great to catch up with their Director, Jo Warrior, to hear a bit more about their work and their plans for the year ahead. Royal Berks Charity The Royal Berks Charity raises funds to support the work of […]
Spotlight On: Browning York
We are thrilled to have welcomed Browning York to our Connect Reading Community. Sarah Browning (she/her), Communicator and Kindness Cheerleader, took some time to answer some questions and tell us a bit more about them. Browning York I work with individuals and organisations who have a vision of a kinder world, supporting them to communicate […]
Spotlight On: The Butterfly Community Café
We are delighted to have welcomed The Butterfly Community Café into our Connect Reading community. Jennie Kettel, Founder/Director, took some time to answer some questions and tell us a bit more about them. The Butterfly Community Café We are a not-for-profit community interest company established to enable young people aged 14+ in special needs schools (with […]
Spotlight On: Tilehurst Junior Youth Club
We love having Tilehurst Junior Youth Club as a part of our Connect Reading community. Peter Capel, Committee Chairman, took some time to answer some questions and tell us a bit more about the organisation. Tilehurst Junior Youth Club We run a youth club for children aged 8 to 12 years and meet on Friday […]
Spotlight On: Low Carbon Workspaces
We love having Low Carbon Workspaces as a part of our Connect Reading community. Tom Macdonald, Project Officer, took some time to answer some questions and tell us a bit more about the organisation. Low Carbon Workspaces As a grant scheme, we offer grants to SMEs looking to reduce their carbon emissions through upgrades or […]
Bespoke Team Days
Connect Reading Bespoke Team Days Are you looking for a bespoke team day where you can have a positive social impact in your locality?We would love to chat with you about our bespoke Connect Reading team days*! For more info on our team days check out our brochure below. Connect Reading Bespoke Team Days Brochure […]
Spotlight On: Reading Advice Network
We love having Reading Advice Network as a part of our Connect Reading community. Their Chair, Richard Harrison, took some time to answer our questions and tell us a bit more about the organisation. Reading Advice Network We are an umbrella organisation that brings together and supports charities to give quality information and advice to […]
Spotlight On: Reading Biscuit Factory
We love having Reading Biscuit Factory as part of our Connect Reading community! Matthew Lacey, General Manager, took some time to answer our questions and tell us a bit more about the business. Reading Biscuit Factory We are a brand-new, three-screen independent cinema and community cultural hub, with a bar, café, shared workspaces and room to […]
Case Study: Graft Thames Valley & ABC to Read
Case Study: Graft Thames Valley & ABC to Read AT A GLANCE The Survival Guide Course, from Graft Thames Valley, supports those who have been long-term unemployed for whatever reason. The course enables participants to grow in confidence and helps them to develop practical skills. Connect Reading connected Graft Thames Valley with ABC to Read […]
Case Study: Visa and Brookfields School
Case Study: Visa and Brookfields School AT A GLANCE Connect Reading connected Visa and Brookfields School and a long-term partnership has been created! As part of Visa’s global volunteering month in June 2021, Visa organised a virtual event with Brookfields School. Visa have also have donated £1,500 to Brookfield’s Market Garden project and committed to […]
Spotlight On: Me2 Club
We love having Me2 Club as part of our Connect Reading family! Shaun Polley, Chief Executive Officer, took some time to answer our questions and tell us a bit more about the charity. Me2 Club Me2 Club tackles the isolation felt by marginalised children (aged 5 to 19 years) with wide ranging additional needs and disabilities, […]
Spotlight On: CommuniCare
We love having CommuniCare as part of our Connect Reading community! Francesca Yates, Communicare Manager, took some time to answer our questions and tell us a bit more about the charity. CommuniCare We are a charity providing information, advice and support to anyone in need. We aim to support people in understanding and navigating everyday […]
Spotlight On: Shift Youth + Community
We love having Shift Youth + Community as part of our Connect Reading family! Aneta Banas, Executive Assistant and Administrator, took some time to answer our questions and tell us a bit more about the charity. Shift Youth + Community We are a Christian new monastic and missional movement. We base ourselves in local communities […]
Local company Sorce launches Juggl Desks to enable a safe return to the workplace
Cloud-based desk booking solution facilitates hybrid working On the 7th July 2021, Berkshire intranet software provider, Sorce, launched Juggl Desks. Juggl is a cloud-based desk booking solution that helps organisations to manage a safe return to the workplace. Ideal for supporting hybrid working, Juggl is free to all organisations until 2022. “Organisations of all sizes […]
Spotlight On: de la Haye Coaching
We love having de la Haye Coaching as part of our Connect Reading community! Tristan, Founder of de la Haye Coaching, took some time to answer our questions and tell us a bit more about his business. de la Haye Coaching With over 25 years’ experience in grassroots business management, I can help to develop […]
Connect Reading AGM
Connect Reading AGM 2020-2021 It was great to have you with us if you joined us at our Connect Reading 2020-2021 AGM this morning. If you weren’t able to join us then you can still watch the slides, which were presented by Lorraine and Annie, in the video below ↓ https://connectreading.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/AGM-2020-2021.mp4 What a year! In […]
Spotlight On: Chapter2
We love having Chapter2 as part of our Connect Reading community! Andrea Smith, Operations Manager at Chapter2, took some time to answer our questions and tell us a bit more about Chapter2. Chapter2 Chapter2 is a mentoring charity based in Reading. We train male mentors from churches and the community and pair them with boys […]
Spotlight On: Berkshire Youth
We love having the brilliant Berkshire Youth as part of our Connect Reading family. Julie MacLean, Marketing Manager at Berkshire Youth, took some time to tell us a bit more about the charity and the work they do. Berkshire Youth Berkshire Youth is a local charity which has been supporting the county’s young people for […]
Connect Reading Annual Report 2020-2021
Connect Reading Annual Report 2020-2021 Our Annual Report is a round up of all things Connect Reading from last year. We hope you enjoy reading it! A note from our MD, Lorraine Briffitt:And a good day to you all. “What is this?” I hear you say. It is an Annual Report, but in July! We […]
Spotlight On: Reading Family Aid
We love having Reading Family Aid as part of our Connect Reading community. Ruth Perkins, Chair of Reading Family Aid, took some time to tell us a bit more about the charity and their passion for bringing joy to children in Reading. Reading Family Aid A little about Reading Family Aid and the amazing work […]
Connect Reading Membership Brochures
Connect Reading Membership Brochures Are you looking to make connections and improve your local environment and community? We would love to chat with you about Connect Reading membership! We believe that each of our members has a unique and valuable contribution to make and we love getting to know them so we can help make meaningful […]
Spotlight On: Visa
We love having Visa as part of our Connect Reading community. The wonderful, Jacquie Daley, Director of Clearing and Settlement at Visa in Reading, took some time to tell us a bit more about the company and their passion for giving back to their local community. Visa Visa are a global payments technology company working to enable […]
Spotlight On: B Radio
We are really excited to welcome B Radio to the Connect Reading community. Gavin Harris, Director, told us a bit more about B Radio, what they’re passionate about and how you can connect with them. B Radio We are a local not-for-profit radio station broadcasting across Berkshire from our studios in Reading. We play a mix of […]
Spotlight On: Chemogiftbags
We love having Chemogiftbags as part of our Connect Reading community. Lynne Shipton, Founder of Chemogiftbags, took some time to answer some questions and tell us all about the organisation and how we can connect with all they’re doing. Chemogiftbags Chemogiftbags provide free care packages for breast cancer patients and for those undergoing chemo in the […]
Grow Your Own Talent – UTC Reading
Grow your own talent UTC Reading are looking to connect with local employers. Do connect with them if you’d like to know more! UTC Reading is calling for local employers in the digital, science and technology field to work with us to bring industry knowledge into the classrooms and get our teachers into industry, and in […]
Employment Advice Webinar for Women
Free employment advice webinar for female job seekers We love sharing what our Connect Reading members are doing and next week two of our members, Smart Works Reading and Pepsico are teaming up to offer a fantastic free webinar! Award-winning charity Smart Works Reading has partnered with major local employer PepsiCo to run a free employment advice […]
Spotlight On: Reading Interfaith Group
We are so delighted to have welcomed Reading Interfaith Group to Connect Reading! Sarah Griffin, Chair of Reading Interfaith Group, took some time to answer some questions and tell us all about the organisation and how we can connect with all they’re doing. Reading Interfaith Group Throughout history religion can be used for good or […]
Spotlight On: Reading University Student’s Union (RUSU)
We are so delighted to have welcomed Reading University Student’s Union (RUSU) to Connect Reading! Ryan Bird, Chief Executive at RUSU, took some time to answer some questions and tell us all about the organisation and how we can connect with all they’re doing. Reading University Student’s Union (RUSU) RUSU is a democratic, student-led organisation, […]
Spotlight On: Education Business Partnership
We are so delighted to have welcomed Education Business Partnership to Connect Reading! Michelle Smith, CEO at Education Business Partnership, took some time to answer some questions and tell us all about the organisation and how we can connect with all they’re doing. Education Business Partnership We are Education Business Partnership (EBP), a not-for-profit company […]
Spotlight On: Berkshire Maestros
We are so delighted to have welcomed Berkshire Maestros Connect Reading! Dawn Wren, CEO at Berkshire Maestros, took some time to answer some questions and tell us all about the organisation and how we can connect with all they’re doing. Berkshire Maestros We are Berkshire’s largest music charity, offering instrumental and vocal tuition in schools and music centres […]
Spotlight On: Activate Learning
We are so delighted to have welcomed the wonderful Activate Learning to Connect Reading! Holly Perrett, Partnership Engagement Manager, took some time to answer some questions and tell us all about Activate Learning and how we can connect with all they’re doing. Spotlight On: Activate Learning – Reading College & Institute of Technology The Activate […]
Spotlight On: Sport In Mind
We are so delighted to have welcomed the wonderful Sport In Mind to Connect Reading! Calum Pettitt, Sport In Mind’s Service Coordinator, took some time to answer some questions and tell us all about Sport in Mind and how we can connect with all they’re doing. Spotlight On: Sport In Mind Sport in Mind is […]
Reading Rescue May 2021
We can’t go out in big groups for Reading RESCUE in May, but we can still have a BIG IMPACT! We’re really looking forward to heading out during the week of Monday 3rd – Sunday 9th May 2021 in groups of up to six or two households. To sign up, fill in our RESCUE form here […]
Meet our Trustees: Paul Buckley
We love our Connect Reading Trustees and we wanted to give you a chance to get to know them too. We were delighted to welcome Paul to our Trustee Board earlier this year. After qualifying as a solicitor in 1999, Paul joined Heathrow Airport. During his 20 year career, at Heathrow, he has held leadership […]
Meet our Trustees: Tony Pettitt
We love our Connect Reading Trustees and we wanted to give you a chance to get to know them too. We asked Tony, our Treasurer, a few questions to get to know him better and find out a bit more about why he decided to join us at Connect Reading. Hi Tony! Can you tell […]
Meet our Trustees: John Pickford
We love our Connect Reading Trustees and we wanted to give you a chance to get to know them too. We were delighted to welcome John to our Trustee Board earlier this year. John has over 25 years’ experience in a variety of commercially focussed roles, and has enjoyed working in a range of different […]
Meet our Trustees: Vicky Poole
We love our Connect Reading Trustees and we wanted to give you a chance to get to know them too. Vicky Poole is a coach who helps people reconcile their past and deal with their hang-ups so they can create a future of their wildest dreams. After 15 years in corporate and strategic sales in […]
Meet our Trustees: Darren Campbell
We love our Connect Reading Trustees and we wanted to give you a chance to get to know them too. Darren Campbell is one of our newest Trustees and we were very excited to welcome him to the team earlier this year. Darren has spent the last 6 years leading & transforming business units within […]
Meet our Trustees: Tracey Rawling Church
We have an excellent team of Connect Reading Trustees and we wanted to give you a chance to get to know them too. Up first, Tracey Rawling Church, who is our Chair. Tracey is a principal consultant at Acclaro Advisory and has spent more than 20 years supporting businesses to minimise their environmental impact and maximise their […]
Spotlight On: University of Reading
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]