Our vision is a better Reading, for everyone.
Our values and our mission of bringing sectors together for mutual benefit are rooted in Connect Reading’s rich heritage as the business community partnership for Reading, and vital to our aspirations for the future of the town we love.
Our Values
LOCAL
Our local environment, local community & local economy are our first priority
LONGER-TERM
We create long-term impact with the potential for long-term partnership
SOCIAL VALUE
We make it easier for you to create & measure social value
EQUALITY
We give our members, from every sector, an equal voice
INNOVATIVE
We are innovative and creative, seeking to continuously learn
Having a positive local impact
We care deeply about our local community and we want to partner with you to have a long-lasting, positive impact on our town.
Through our Connect Reading projects and events, and the connections we help our members to make, we are proud to be:
- improving green spaces in and around Reading
- making a difference to the lives of disadvantaged children
- providing opportunities for members to learn from each other
- supporting local charities, business and individuals
Meeting needs and sharing resources
We want to always meet actual need so, when you become a member, we meet with you to scope your needs, interests and goals.
When our members have an ‘ask’, or would like to share a skill or resource, we let our community know through our monthly newsletter, shared online groups and by directly contacting those we think might be able to help. Then, we make the connection so that needs are met and resources shared.
From 04/2021-03/2022, we were able to help our members broker over £124,000 worth of in-kind support!
Making meaningful connections
We believe in making meaningful connections with the potential for long-term relationship. So, we love having those conversations where we can say, ‘oh we know someone who can help with that… let me connect you with them!’
Our Connect Reading events provide regular networking opportunities for skills, expertise and ideas sharing and as a team, we sit on numerous Boards and Strategy meetings and attend various topical groups ensuring we always know what’s happening! We support one another as a community to build a better Reading, for everyone.
Building a Better Reading
Every year...
Shared Resources
We broker over £115,000 of in-kind support!
The Environment
We facilitate over 150 volunteers to collect over 150 bags of rubbish!
Projects
We enable over 2000 Christmas gifts and Easter eggs to be given to disadvantaged children!
The Giving Tree
An annual opportunity for the
people of Reading to show their generosity and buy a gift to make a difference to local disadvantaged children and young people.
Reading Rescue
Sponsored by Thames Water, Reading Rescue is a bi-annual opportunity for team and individuals to get out and clean up the local environment.
Easter Egg Appeal
An opportunity to do something egg-cellent and donate Easter eggs to charities working with children and adults in Reading.
Member Events
Come and meet other Connect Reading members. Find out what’s happening in your local community, create connections, and support one another.
Enquire today about becoming a member
Fill in our membership form and we'll be in touch with further details. We look forward to connecting with you!
Registered Charity: 1113150