Featured Events in Reading in June, 2025 (June Updated)

Introduction Trustees play an essential role in our society, making our charity sector work. It’s a hugely rewarding role but it’s not always easy to get all the information you require to be sure you are carrying out your role as effectively as possible. This training will help give you an overview of what’s expected of trustees as well as providing a networking opportunity with your fellow trustees from the area. Outcomes of this training are: To better understand your role and legal responsibilities as a trustee To understand how this role fits with other roles in the charity To understand your reporting responsibilities To know where to go for help and support To feel confident in being an active member of your Board / Committee and helping to achieve your charities purposes! To achieve this we will cover: Introduction: ‘Trustee’, ‘members' and others. Trustee responsibilities: 6 Main Legal Duties Limiting liability and legal structures Effective board leadership and trustee roles Essential resources and links to help you on your way Who should attend: The training is suitable for new and existing trustees and will also give a valuable introduction to anyone thinking of taking on the role. In some small community groups you may refer to yourselves as the Committee. If you have overall responsibility for your community group, then this course is for you. The training is primarily for Trustees of voluntary and community groups who operate services in Reading. If your group does not offer services in Reading, please contact us in advance of booking and ask us for our rate for organisations not providing services in Reading. We may need to add you to the waiting list. Your trainer: This course will be delivered by Reading Voluntary Action's Advice Service Manager, Herjeet Vass. Herjeet has a background in Law and charity management and also helps groups to attain the Safe and Sound Quality Award in good governance in charities. Practicalities: The session runs from 9:45am - 1pm. Cost £10 - refreshments included. Registration and arrival from 9.30am Short comfort break midway. There is no parking onsite but the Central Library is easily accessed vis public transport. Nearby car parks are Queens Road and the Oracle. There are also some disabled parking spots outside the library. Please contact us in advance if you have access needs. Please note that the library opens at 10am. Please come to the rear door and buzz the intercom and we will let you in. P lease book through the link. RVA Cancellation Policy If you are no longer able to attend the training, please let us know by emailing training@rva.org.uk with at least 48 hours notice so that we can offer your place to other people on the waiting list. If you don't advise us with at least 48 hours notice we may charge your organisation or group a £20 cancellation fee. Information Source: Reading Voluntary Action | eventbrite

How Speed Dating Works in Reading When you arrive at the Reading venue you will be greeted by our friendly professional hosts. Once everyone has arrived and registered we will briefly explain the format of the evening. The ladies will then be asked to make their way to their allocated table. Once the ladies are seated the gentlemen will be asked to proceed to their first date. You will have 4 minutes to chat to each date, once the 4 minutes is over we will ring a bell to indicate the time is up and for the gentlemen to move to their next date. Four minutes is long enough to see if you click with the person you are talking to and whether you would like to see them again and also short enough if you don't. At the end of each date you have a brief few moments to make some notes on the person you have just dated. This is something to help jog your memory for the post event matching process the next day. Half way through the event you will have an interval break so you can nip to the toilet or top up your drink. Once all the dates are over you have the opportunity to stay on at the venue to mingle freely with others. Please remember to take your dating card home with you to assist you in entering in your ticks and potential matches. Post Event No later than 11am the following morning our matching system will be unlocked for you to enter your ticks from the previous evening. You have all day to tick as many people as you like from the night before. We guarantee you will find someone you will want to see again, otherwise we will give you your next Speed Dating event for free! Find a Speed Dating event near you https://slowdating.com/ Itinerary 19:00 Registration Starts 19:30 Speed Dating starts 20:15 Interval for drinks, mingling and relaxing! 20:30 Speed Dating continues 21:15/21:30 Speed Dating concludes, followed by optional post-event socializing *Please note the times for the event interval and finish are approximates and will depend of the number of daters at the event. Information Source: Slow Dating | eventbrite

Whether you're in the food and drink business, provide refreshments on your premises or arrange sustenance for events, with a bit of thought, catering can be made much more sustainable. It doesn't nececessarily need to be expensive. In fact making smart catering choices could be profitable, helping you make savings and even boost revenue. By making more environmentally and socially responsible purchasing choices and minimising waste, you can demonstrate that your business cares about the impact of its operations. That could help you win contracts and secure the loyalty of customers and staff. Join us to find out more and discuss the challenges with a knowledgeable local panel. We’re grateful to KPMG for hosting this event as part of their commitment to supporting sustainable business. Agenda 4-4:30pm: Arrivals 4:30-4:50pm: Introductions 4:50-5:50pm: Panel discussion 5:50-6pm: Wrap-up 6-6:30pm: Networking over drinks and nibbles from Makan Malaysia A note on the fee Ethical Reading is a Community Interest Company (CIC) dedicated to keeping our costs as low as possible. We are a volunteer-led, virtual organisation with just two part-time staff members. While we strive to minimise expenses, there are unavoidable costs associated with running our operations. To help cover these, we have introduced a small fee. However, if you’re unable to pay this fee, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@ethicalreading.org.uk. We’ll provide you with a discount code to fully cover the fee, ensuring accessibility for all. This session is also free for employees of our Partner organisations and Ethical Reading volunteers. Image by simcogroup from Pixabay Information Source: Ethical Reading CIC | eventbrite

Our amazing guest speakers... Anna Piña Anna is a chartered construction project manager, lecturer, and the founder of Self-Project Management Advisors. She is a PhD candidate at the University of Reading, researching women in construction. Her doctoral thesis concerns an exploration of the experience of women who own and manage small construction firms in the UK. A small business owner herself, Anna is deeply passionate about promoting gender diversity and inclusivity within the construction industry. Jennifer Makkreel Jennifer Makkreel has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering from the University Of Ottawa and has over 20 years of experience in construction project management in Australia, Canada and the UK. She has previously worked for one of North America’s largest main contractors before moving to client side project management at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Canada. In the UK, Jennifer was the Head of the Programme Management Office for Oxfordshire County Council prior to joining the University in 2014 where she is the Acting Head of Capital Projects and the Programme Manager for the Humanities and Social Sciences portfolios of projects. In this capacity she is Project Director for the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, and the Estates Representative on the Global Leadership Centre Project Board. Jennifer has been a member of the CIOB since 2008, and Chair of the Oxford Hub Committee since 2018. She has also been a Members Forum representative on both the CIOB Finance Committee and External Affairs, and has been a Client Champion since 2022. Lucy Wiltshire Lucy has over 30 years of construction industry experience working with various Tier 1 contractors in the Southwest and Southeast. Having studied BSc in Quantity Surveying part time at UWE, Bristol, this fuelled her passion for championing vocational routes into a career in construction. It was also the start of Lucy’s 35- year continuous journey with the CIOB, having first joined the Avon Centre committee in Bristol in 1990. When she moved to Reading in 2000, Lucy became part of the CIOB Thames Valley Centre. In 2017, Lucy joined the Department of Education’s Construction Panel to develop the content of the T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning. This qualification was one of the first T Levels to be offered in colleges across UK in 2020 and is a landmark in the transformation of post 16 qualifications. Lucy now has a place on the IfATE’s Construction Route Panel, reviewing apprenticeship and T Level standards. Lucy enjoys networking with other construction professionals and is Vice-Chair for CIOB Oxford Hub. This appointment followed her tenure at CIOB Reading Hub, where Lucy held various posts over a 25-year period. Lucy is currently partway through her FCIOB submission. Further Details Location: The University of Reading's Whiteknights Campus - Van Emden Lecture Theatre, Edith Morley Building, Whiteknights Campus, RG6 6EL Time: Arrival from 17:30 Refreshments: Networking buffet will be provided. Please specify any dietary requirements when booking. Parking: There are no parking restrictions after 5.00 pm on the Whiteknights campus. Sat nav postcode. If you are using a sat nav or GPS device to navigate to the University, please use the following postcode: Whiteknights campus main entrance RG6 6UR. P ublic transport from Reading train station to UoR Whiteknights campus: Getting to Whiteknights campus from the centre of Reading is easy. The 21 and 21a buses run from Reading train station in the town centre to our Whiteknights campus at regular intervals, 24 hours a day. The number 21 & 21a stops on campus - Whiteknights House and Pepper Lane entrance. Please get off the bus on the ‘Whiteknights House’ bus stop (Building number 27 - C3 zone). A single bus journey will cost you £2.00 (a day ticket is £4.00. You purchase your ticket on the bus and will need either the exact change or a contactless bank card). The taxi rank can be found outside the Reading Train station. A taxi will cost you approximately £8. You can find out more information at https://www.reading.ac.uk/about/visit-us How can we help you get the most out of this event? We want to ensure accessibility for all of our members. Please contact us in confidence prior to attendance and we will do our best to answer any questions and support any additional needs you may have. Contact Gemma Lovell Member Services and Events Coordinator glovell@ciob.org.uk Information Source: CIOB Reading | eventbrite

Parent Support Network Family Day Welcome to the 1 st in person event of the Parent Support Network for the Vitiligo Society – a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to bringing joy, support, and empowerment into the lives of children with Vitiligo and their families. Come join us for a fun-filled Family Day at the Rivermead Leisure Centre ! This event is all about bringing parents together to support each other and have a great time with their families. There will be activities for kids of all ages, workshops for parents, and plenty of opportunities to connect with other families. Don't miss out on this chance to bond with your loved ones and meet new friends. We believe in fostering a community that not only understands the unique challenges of living with vitiligo but also celebrates the strength and resilience that comes with it. Join us on this exciting journey of learning, growing, and building lasting connections – because we believe every child deserves to shine, regardless of their skin. Please note: We want to make this event as free as possible, whilst we can refund £10 of each ticket after successful attendance, we cannot refund the eventbrite ticket fee. Information Source: The Vitiligo Society | eventbrite

How Speed Dating Works in Reading When you arrive at the Reading venue you will be greeted by our friendly professional hosts. Once everyone has arrived and registered we will briefly explain the format of the evening. The ladies will then be asked to make their way to their allocated table. Once the ladies are seated the gentlemen will be asked to proceed to their first date. You will have 4 minutes to chat to each date, once the 4 minutes is over we will ring a bell to indicate the time is up and for the gentlemen to move to their next date. Four minutes is long enough to see if you click with the person you are talking to and whether you would like to see them again and also short enough if you don't. At the end of each date you have a brief few moments to make some notes on the person you have just dated. This is something to help jog your memory for the post event matching process the next day. Half way through the event you will have an interval break so you can nip to the toilet or top up your drink. Once all the dates are over you have the opportunity to stay on at the venue to mingle freely with others. Please remember to take your dating card home with you to assist you in entering in your ticks and potential matches. Post Event No later than 11am the following morning our matching system will be unlocked for you to enter your ticks from the previous evening. You have all day to tick as many people as you like from the night before. We guarantee you will find someone you will want to see again, otherwise we will give you your next Speed Dating event for free! Find a Speed Dating event near you https://slowdating.com/ Itinerary 19:00 Registration Starts 19:30 Speed Dating starts 20:15 Interval for drinks, mingling and relaxing! 20:30 Speed Dating continues 21:15/21:30 Speed Dating concludes, followed by optional post-event socializing *Please note the times for the event interval and finish are approximates and will depend of the number of daters at the event. Information Source: Slow Dating | eventbrite

This event is being facilitated by David Shakespeare. David works with learners, teachers, schools, the STEM Learning network, examination boards, publishers, Government education agencies and others. Highly experienced and well trusted, his background includes teaching and subject leadership in Oxfordshire and Milton Keynes, school advisory work and inspection in Bedfordshire and the southeast, and support, advice and CPD on science nationwide - from classroom teaching and learning, to implementing new curriculum and assessment approaches, coaching teachers and mentoring school leaders, and more. Information Source: SSCH | eventbrite

The theme for this meet up is neurodivergent parenting . Hosted by the Centre for Autism Wellbeing Hub at the University of Reading in partnership with Reading-based charity Parenting Special Children, these relaxed monthly meet-ups offer parents and carers of autistic children a welcoming space to connect, share experiences, and gain valuable insights . Each session begins with a brief talk from a member of the Wellbeing Hub team related to the monthly theme, followed by informal discussions where families can discuss their experiences, exchange knowledge and share expertise. Refreshments will be available. Spaces are limited to allow for meaningful conversations and discussion, so we encourage you to book early to secure your spot. More information including how to find us will be sent to attendees on booking. Please email us if we can offer any assistance: cfaevents@reading.ac.uk. Information Source: The Centre for Autism Wellbeing Hub | eventbrite

The Cradle of Vodun A magical, sensory short film exploring Vodun in Benin, West Africa. Follow Lisa-Marie’s journey and experience the energy, spirit, and premiere of this powerful visual story. Remove the blind spot from your eye and simply allow ourselves to enjoy, to be overcome by magic. 'Pluto/AS Line 76 km’ I followed my 'power line' to Benin in West Africa, to bathe in the energy of Vodun. "Along this line, you will find yourself in regions with the highest concentration of power and energy. The transforming powers of Pluto force you to make profound changes within yourself as well as others. These forces connect with previously unknown parts of your being, and repressed psychological areas are made conscious and influence the ongoing flow of life. Click here to find out more about our other Open for Art events A map for Open for Art with a list of venues hosting events and art by local artists is available to download from our shop. To allow our workshops to be accessible to all we are able to offer our workshops for a nominal fee and we have a limited number of free places for each session. Please get in touch if you would like more information about our free spaces. By attending this workshop you are agreeing to act in accordance with our workshop behaviour policy which can be viewed here: https://www.jelly.org.uk/policies Find us in our next space on the 1st Floor in Broad St Mall. We are the last unit nearest the public toilets. Inclusivity, safety, respect, confidentiality and consent are fundamental principles at Jelly workshops and events. Any questions? See our Frequently asked questions below. We are a small team working behind the scenes answering your questions. If you email us via eventbrite or via our website we will answer as soon as we can. If you'd like to find out more about Jelly and the work that we do please sign up to our newsletter: www.jelly.org.uk/newsletter Information Source: Jelly | eventbrite

“ a spellbinding softness and an unexpected rediscovery of that universe… We can only salute Gerard Cousins’s prowess for having been able to intensify Glass’s music with a new flame.”  “Classica” Magazine France Join us for a mesmerizing night of music as Gerard Cousins , the acclaimed guitarist, brings his unique artistry to the stage. Known for his stunning interpretations of contemporary classical music, Cousins will perform captivating works by Philip Glass and Ólafur Arnalds , alongside his own compositions inspired by the rich traditions of Welsh folk music. Experience the hypnotic beauty of Glass’s minimalist masterpieces, reimagined through the intricate textures of solo guitar. Let Arnalds’ cinematic, atmospheric melodies transport you to new sonic landscapes. And be among the first to hear Cousins’ own works, where ancient Welsh melodies meet modern harmony, creating a deeply evocative and soul-stirring sound. With a style that blends technical brilliance and emotional depth, Cousins crafts performances that are as intimate as they are powerful. Whether you’re a lover of classical, folk, or ambient music, this concert promises an evening of pure musical magic, where tradition and innovation meet in perfect harmony. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to witness one of today’s most exciting guitarists live. Secure your tickets now and immerse yourself in an enchanting night of music that transcends time and genre. Information Source: Gerard Cousins | eventbrite