Connect Reading

⏳The countdown to Christmas is on and The Giving Tree will soon be in full swing!

If you've heard of The Giving Tree before and want to get involved again, or perhaps you're just learning about it for the first time, then why not come along to our information session on 7th October?

We'll give you all the info you need to know about getting involved, whether you're a charity receiving gifts, a business donating gifts, or an individual just wanting to find out more 🎄

Register now and join us online on 7th October, 12pm - 1pm, we'll see you there!

You can register via this link: https://forms.monday.com/forms/9321101fcdc89387bcca867a5a5bf07e?r=use1

🌍✨ World Cleanup Day might have been yesterday, but our mission to keep our planet spotless never ends! Join us in making a lasting impact—sponsor RESCUE, our litter picking campaign, and show your commitment to a cleaner, greener future.

Interested in sponsoring? Get in touch to find out more 🌱💪

‼️Reminder‼️
@1-Fix Limited only have a few tickets left for their upcoming AI for Charities Learnalot!

Join them on 12th September, 9:30am-12pm at Microsoft Campus to learn everything you need to know about AI as a charity and how to make the most of it.

Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ai-for-charities-tickets-944927903797?fbclid=IwY2xjawFD4J1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHa1cPNDdmoe7owucxIqyj3C62riREjRxFnmcRMeMqdMlczFl_xEjzXvHxA_aem_3Jxa-dlRlFRwvaIiLAcs_g

Connect Reading Member, @1-Fix Limited are teaming up with Microsoft to bring you this event focused on how you can use AI to help your charity/Non-profit.

Register now and we'll see you on 12th September at 9:30am on the Microsoft Campus.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ai-for-charities-tickets-944927903797?aff=oddtdtcreator

At Connect Reading we're committed to community cohesion and building a better Reading for everyone. We are deeply saddened by the unrest across the country, and stand strong with our local, diverse communities. They are part of the beautiful fabric of this town.

Our CEO, Lorraine has been in meetings this week with local community leaders on Reading's IAG. She's sought to connect faith groups behind the scenes, offering to find alternative workspaces for anxious employees and volunteers of charities affected by this racial intimidation.

We realise our part is small, but we're committed to connecting not just sectors, but people. If you need to connect your people with resources or information, we've received this from NCVO, relevant to local charities:
https://www.ncvo.org.uk/news-and-insights/news-index/england-riots-statement-from-ncvos-chief-executive/

CultureMix Arts, Carnival of the World, an annual showcase event celebrating Reading’s diverse community and culture, returns to Broad Street Reading this Saturday 10 August 2024.

Showcasing music, dance and costumes from Africa, South America, Europe and the Caribbean, this free community event launches at midday with a live stage featuring a range of performances from local and international artists including award winning steel orchestra RASPO, African drummers Mbilla Arts, Colombian Dancers Somos Chibchas and soca artist Pahjo who will be headlining and closing the show.

The Broad Street parade kicks off at 2pm with spectacular large scale carnival costumes by Mahogany Carnival, percussionists, flag bearers and dancers to delight and surprise Reading shoppers and audiences.

‼️IMPORTANT UPDATE‼️

If you run a business or charity and sometimes struggle to gain full cost recovery, or are just uncertain how to price your work, then our next Learnalot is for you!

We are now running it online, 1:30-2:30pm.
Rachel Eden FCMA ACMA, from Holy Brook Associates, will be sharing her top tips as a qualified accountant, business owner, trustee, local councillor and seasoned independent examiner (is there anything she doesn't do?!)

If you'd like to come, please register here: https://connectreading.org.uk/events/

Do you run a small business? Does your charity deliver training? Have you struggled to price competitively whilst covering core costs and overheads?

Then this Thursday is JUST what you've been looking for!

Rachel Eden from Holy Brook Associates Finance Team is leading HOW TO PRICE YOUR WORK. Come and learn, network, and even get your hands on some Xero freebies!

Thursday, 1:30-3pm at the University of Reading's Meadow Suite. Register for details.
https://lnkd.in/esP-Usnk



Tickets are free, but any donations to our Summer Giving Appeal would be greatly appreciated: https://lnkd.in/eyB3_cCC

Join Buzz Gym Reading, The Oracle and Connect Reading on Friday 7th June 11am-5pm and cycle for charity! We're are raising funds for the Summer Giving Appeal, which is focused on supporting families in need over the summer holidays, so, will you cycle with us? 🚴

If you'd like to purchase an ALDI voucher for the campaign, where vouchers will be going to Home-Start Reading, Berkshire Vision and The Cowshed, you can do so here: https://vouchers.aldi.co.uk/products/summer-giving-appeal

We're so excited to work with Coaching Reading again for our May Networking and Speed Coaching Event!

Join us on Wednesday 22nd May, 10am - 12pm at Ebb and Flow for a morning of professional development, networking and connections 🤝

Register now http://connectreading.org.uk/events/

For Aprils LearnALot we're working with Beyond The Surface to bring you an online session on how you could use PowerPoint more effectively! 💻

When you hear PowerPoint, you probably think about in person presentations with slides on a screen – but this is far from the only thing you can create with it! I also bet you're already creating all sorts of material with it.

The best way to use the software depends on what you need it for, so not all the advice you can find online will always be relevant 👀

Join the LearnALot on Monday 15th April 12:00 - 13:00 (on Google Meet) to find out about different ways in which you can use PPT to serve your communication and business goals.

Register now here: https://wkf.ms/3U4gDNd

There's still time to register for our Bid Writing Workshop on Tuesday 26th March! Join us at Reading School, 4:15pm - 5:30pm where Kittle Group will be sharing tips and tricks to consider in the bid writing process!

Register now here: https://forms.monday.com/forms/c9f355a4c0fe75ae05575191969d7d43?r=use1

Just under a week to go until our March LearnALot with Kittle Group!

Whether you're a or a , you want the same thing: to win more . That's because more income = more impact and more opportunity 🤝

So, what happens when you're struggling to win bids? Whether you're having a run of bad luck, are having a hit-and-miss experience with work-winning and want to know why, or need to level-up your bid function, this with Reading-based bid writing consultancy Kittle Group will take the mystery out of the process, and shine a light on where you can turn your outcomes around.

Run by one of their directors, and one of their experienced bid writers, they'll cover 📝:
- The five key steps to bidding successfully
- Why a bid isn't over even when it's been won... or lost
- How to work out where your gaps are
- Where to go for help in the long-term
- Group Q&A on your specific challenges. Bring your thorniest problems and we'll help you solve them!

Register now via this link https://connectreading.org.uk/events/

Whilst we're sadly unable to run RESCUE this Spring, there are still other ways to get involved in cleaning up the !

The Great British Spring Clean is back for 2024, taking place from 15th March to 31st March! Will you pledge to pick up a bag? ♻️

We’re delighted to share that RAYS and Reading Borough Council are supporting the Great British Spring Clean national campaign again this year to clean up the country and tackle litter. Keep Britain Tidy, a national environmental
charity, are calling on people across the country to join in and take action!

Last year from around the country pulled out their gloves, grabbed their litter-pickers and pledged to join the challenge. We are calling on Reading’s to do the same again this year. Can you help us?

When we all join forces and take the same action at the same time, the difference we can make is huge! That’s a difference to our planet, to the wildlife we share it with, to our communities and to our own health and wellbeing.

Here at RAYS we can support your litter picking activities in Reading to ensure it is a safe and enjoyable experience for all – just get in touch to let us know where you will be litter picking! Don’t forget to go to keepbritaintidy.org to join volunteers across the country and make your Spring Clean pledge!

Don’t forget to send in your litter picking photos for the RAYS - Reading Adopt Your Street page! On behalf of RAYS and our friends at Keep Britain Tidy, thankyou in advance for your support.

Happy litter picking!

Want to spring into March? Come along to our March 'Introduction to Membership' Session! We'll give you all the need-to-know information about Membership, how to make the most of membership, or sign up! Open to everyone 😁

Join us on Friday 1st March, on Google Meet at 12:30pm - register via https://connectreading.org.uk/events/

*In honour of St Davids Day, Grace will be hosting this session in a Wales Rugby shirt 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Important Update regarding Reading RESCUE ‼️
Thank you to Thames Water for years of RESCUE support and a special shout out to Liz Banks, Claire Iredale and Neeti Bindra for their hard work in pulling together Thames Water's support for RESCUE over almost a decade 💚

We understand the Cost of Living Crisis is concerning for a lot of organisations at the moment, and so we wanted to bring the experts to you!
For February, join us for an online panel discussion on the Cost of Living Crisis, where we'll hear some great tips from Launchpad Reading, Communicare, Citizens Advice Reading, Reading Advice Network and Reading Community Learning Centre 🤝
You'll of course also have the opportunity to network too, so register now: https://connectreading.org.uk/events/

Last Thursday we hosted our January Networking and Giving Tree WrapUp Event 🎁!
A massive thank you to everyone who came along, we really enjoyed with you so early in 2024 and look forward to creating more connections. We're very grateful to the fantastic Apex Plaza Reading team for hosting us and making us feel super welcome ☺️
If you missed out on attending, don't panic! We'll be sharing the stats of the on our social media very soon so keep your eyes peeled 👀 In the meantime, why not sign up for our February Online Panel & Networking? You can register here: https://connectreading.org.uk/events/

Reading Borough Libraries are hosting their Welcome to Reading Coffee Morning! It's a free and friendly drop-in session for people who are new to Reading as well as people who have been here a while and would like to meet people. Refreshments provided.
Come along and join us on Saturday 3rd February from 11am to 1pm at Reading Central Library, Abbey Square Reading RG1 3BQ and find out more about living in Reading. Chat to local organisations who will be here to tell you about their services. They look forward to meeting you!

The Winter Warmer Giveaway is back for 2024!
If you have surplus winter clothing, why not donate?
Equally, if you are in need of any winter clothing to keep you warm through the cold period, check out the collection times to pick something up! Everyone is welcome to collect.

Start your new year off right by creating and at our January Networking Event! What's more, we're doing a WrapUp 🎄 (pun intended!) where we'll be sharing all the stats from the Giving Tree 2023!

As a special new year treat, this event is open to everyone! Register your attendance now via our website and we'll look forward to seeing you at Apex Plaza on Thursday 18th January 16:30 - 18:15 🎉

You have just over 10 days left to take part in our Winter Giveaway in association with Premier Suites Reading!
Just donate to our Giving Tree Campaign via the link in our bio (don't forget to add your email address!) and you're entered into the giveaway where you have a chance to win an overnight stay in a Premier Suites Apartment 🎄

You have just over 10 days left to take part in our Winter Giveaway in association with Premier Suites Reading!

Just donate to our Giving Tree Campaign via the link in our bio (don't forget to add your email address!) and you're entered into the giveaway where you have a chance to win an overnight stay in a Premier Suites Apartment 🎄

We are delighted to be given an incredible raffle prize by PREMIER SUITES Serviced Apartments to help raise money for our 2023 Giving Tree Campaign. Win an overnight stay in a spacious apartment at Premier Suites, with a bottle of Prosecco ready for your arrival. Join in with our Giving Tree Raffle for just £5 per ticket! 🎄

Two tickets can purchase a Secret Santa gift for a local person in need ✨ Connecting these chosen gifts with local people supported by 17 local charities and the local hospital. So why not snap your ticket up, make a positive impact and be in with a chance of a lovely overnight stay in the heart of Reading?!

You can donate here: https://gtap.uk/63/generalpublic