Reading Voluntary Action

Reading offers a wide array of sports, heritage and cultural pursuits, and volunteers play a key role in making these happen.

Volunteering in one of these fields can be an excellent way of combining your interests with the chance to give back to the community.

Here are a few examples:

Berkshire Vision are looking for a Rambling Guide to walk alongside their visually impaired members, assisting them throughout the walk or offering general support. (https://vcconnectsystem.org.uk/ReadingVMS2/VolunteerOpportunities/DetailsForSearch/440)

Get Berkshire Active are seeking a female Volunteer Walk Leader to help create relaxed, friendly walking groups for women in Reading (https://vcconnectsystem.org.uk/ReadingVMS2/VolunteerOpportunities/DetailsForSearch/833)

Friends of Reading Museum are seeking a new Chair for the Council (https://vcconnectsystem.org.uk/ReadingVMS2/VolunteerOpportunities/DetailsForSearch/877)

Sport in Mind is offering the opportunity to be part of their Reading Festival 2026 team, promoting the organisation and supporting festival goers (https://vcconnectsystem.org.uk/ReadingVMS2/VolunteerOpportunities/DetailsForSearch/811)

Take a look at our Reading Volunteer Connect platform to find more roles (https://vcconnectsystem.org.uk/ReadingVMS2/VolunteerOpportunities/OpportunitySearch)

Up next in our Volunteers’ Week inspiration series is the often overlooked role volunteers play as charity trustees.

Trustees are responsible for the governance, strategy and management of a charity. Volunteer trustees are the backbone of Reading’s voluntary and community sector, bringing a wide range of skills, experiences and insights to local groups.

Joining a trustee board can be a fantastic way of contributing to a cause you feel passionately about, whilst developing new skills and gaining valuable experience.

Here are some roles currently being advertised:

Arthros needs a Marketing Trustee with the skills to be able to reach out to inform local organisations and services supporting those living with Arthritis.
(https://vcconnectsystem.org.uk/ReadingVMS2/VolunteerOpportunities/DetailsForSearch/747)

Reading Sea Cadets are looking for enthusiastic and dedicated trustees to join its Unit Management Team. (https://vcconnectsystem.org.uk/ReadingVMS2/VolunteerOpportunities/DetailsForSearch/857)

Sport in Mind is looking for a Chair to provide leadership and direction to the Board of Trustees, ensuring it fulfils its responsibilities for governance and strategic direction. (https://vcconnectsystem.org.uk/ReadingVMS2/VolunteerOpportunities/DetailsForSearch/823)

In the next instalment of our Volunteers’ Week inspiration series, we are focusing on roles working with children and young people.

Volunteering with children and young people can be a fun and rewarding way of giving back to the local community. Whether helping with skills development, facilitating inspiring activities or offering support and guidance, these opportunities offer the chance to have a positive impact on a young life whilst enhancing your own.
Here are a few ways that you can get involved:

ABC to Read is seeking volunteers to work in schools helping children that struggle to read (https://vcconnectsystem.org.uk/ReadingVMS2/VolunteerOpportunities/DetailsForSearch/61)

Berkshire Scouts have a variety of roles helping them to create experiences that prepare young people with skills for life.(https://vcconnectsystem.org.uk/ReadingVMS2/VolunteerOpportunities/DetailsForSearch/882)

National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS) is seeking volunteers who can provide support and friendship to a young person in care. (https://vcconnectsystem.org.uk/ReadingVMS2/VolunteerOpportunities/DetailsForSearch/400)

Chapter2 is looking for volunteers who can act as mentors to young boys in Reading who are growing up without a father (https://vcconnectsystem.org.uk/ReadingVMS2/VolunteerOpportunities/DetailsForSearch/836)

Home-Start Reading is looking for volunteers to help local families get through difficult times and thrive (https://vcconnectsystem.org.uk/ReadingVMS2/VolunteerOpportunities/DetailsForSearch/634)

Take a look at our Reading Volunteer Connect platform to find more roles (https://vcconnectsystem.org.uk/.../Volu.../OpportunitySearch)

Volunteers’ Week (1 – 7 June 2026) has arrived! – A huge thank you to all of Reading’s amazing volunteers

Volunteers’ Week is an annual UK-wide campaign held from the first Monday in June to celebrate and recognise the contributions of volunteers.

Across the country, volunteers play a vital role at the very heart of the community, and Reading is no exception. The town benefits from thousands of volunteers who freely give their time, talents and skills to help others and make Reading the thriving community it is.

Whether helping out at a weekly club, sharing knowledge and experience as a trustee or lending a hand at the many events that happen throughout the year, volunteers are making valuable contributions.

We would like to say a huge thank you to all of Reading’s volunteers; you are making a positive difference to life in our town.

Not volunteering yet? Volunteers’ Week is the perfect opportunity to discover how you can make a difference right here in Reading. Why not pop along to our Volunteering drop-in at Reading Civic Centre on Tuesday, 2nd June (11 am – 2 pm) and have a chat to help identify the volunteering role that is right for you?

Are you part of an organisation that is celebrating its volunteers this week? Why not let us know how and share your pictures with us? We will use these in a round-up after the week to show how valued the town’s volunteers are. Email: [email protected]

Rhiannon's last Ready Friends News is out now! Ready Friends will continue, so keep an eye on RVA News for updates and dates for future Befriending Forums.

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