our services
Offers free help with the legalities and technicalities of running or starting a charity or voluntary organisation in Reading. We have knowledgeable and experienced staff and a range of useful resources available.
telephone: 0118 957 4123
e-mail: advice@rva.org.uk
address: Advice Service, 8 Cross Street, Reading RG1 1SN 
This service offers advice on all fundraising issues, such as researching appropriate funders, project planning, budget planning, help with funding applications and training.
telephone: 0118 957 4123
e-mail: fundingadvice@rva.org.uk
address: Funding Advice Service, 8 Cross Street, Reading RG1 1SN
The Reading LINk enables voluntary organisations and the local community to influence how health and social care services are provided. The LINk gathers and listens to peoples views of the services they receive and informs service providers of how future service provision can be improved. The LINk carries out evidence gathering projects on those issues it considers to be a priority.
Health and social care service providers are legally required to respond to and work with the LINk.
telephone: 01189584849
e-mail: info@readinglink.org.uk
web site: www.readinglink.org.uk
address: Reading LINk, 35 - 39 London Street, Reading RG1 4PS
A comprehensive online service that gives local voluntary and community sector groups the potential of their own micro-site, with details of their service, their news and events. The directory is also regularly updated by the Reading Voluntary Action team with news of our own work, the services we offer and with other news of relevance to the local voluntary sector.
e-mail: rva@rvadirectory.org.uk
web site: rvadirectory.org.uk
address: RVA Directory, 8 Cross Street, Reading RG1 1SN
Our fortnightly electronic bulletin with the latest news, information and events is provided to all those who subscribe. The service is complemented by a bimonthly hard-mailing of news and information on behalf of organisations across Reading.
telephone: 0118 957 4123
e-mail: info@rva.org.uk
web site: www.rva.org.uk
address: RVA Ebulletin and Megamail, 8 Cross Street, Reading RG1 1SN
Provides a range of guidance and policies to support trustees, management committees and staff in their roles.
web site: sites.google.com/a/rva.org.uk/rva-resources/
address: RVA Online Resources, 8 Cross Street, Reading RG1 1SN
Through support to local forums we provide opportunities for voluntary and community organisations to engage in strategic and operational partnerships with colleagues across Reading.
The key forums we support are:
Reading Faith Forum
Reading Children & Voluntary Youth Services
Sakoma (the Black & Minority Ethnic groups forum)
The Forum (Reading Voluntary Sector Forum)
telephone: 0118 958 4849
e-mail: partnerships@rva.org.uk
web site: strongertogether.org.uk
address: Stronger Together, 35 - 39 London Street, Reading RG1 4PS
RVA organises training opportunities throughout the year on a range of topics which are of ongoing or emerging concern amongst local VCS groups and which respond to changing economic conditions, legislation etc. In addition we can also arrange courses for your organisation's specific needs. Access and affordability are key to RVA's approach to training provision. Current training courses are listed in the RVA directory events calendar.
telephone: 0118 957 4123
e-mail: training@rva.org.uk
address: Training and Support, 8 Cross Street, Reading RG1 1SN
New for 2010
A specialist information network for trustees of local charities to come together and share expertise, providing help to address issues of common concern in their work supporting local voluntary sector organisations.
telephone: 0118 957 4123
e-mail: trusteenetwork@rva.org.uk
address: Trustee Network Reading, 8 Cross Street, Reading RG1 1SN
The Volunteer Centre encourages and supports volunteering in the Reading area by:
* Providing individuals with a personalised match to the right volunteering opportunities for them
* Sharing good practice on managing and working with volunteers
* Organising or signposting relevant training opportunities for volunteers
* Working with employers and with Connect Reading, to promote involvement in volunteering for employees
telephone: 0118 957 4123
fax: 0118 958 6131
e-mail: advice@volunteercentrereading.org
web site: www.volunteercentrereading.org
address: Volunteer Centre Reading, 8 Cross Street, Reading RG1 1SN
Opening times:
Monday: 10:00am to 2:00pm
Tuesday: 10:00am to 2:00pm
Wednesday: 10:15am to 1:15pm (On Wednesdays we offer pre-booked appointments only - please give us a call to arrange or email vcr@rva.org.uk)
Thursday: 10:00am to 2:00pm (Outside our opening hours, we provide an Employee Volunteering Advisory Service at times to suit you - email clare.bonney@rva.org.uk)
