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RVA compiles and publicises news, training and event listings for and on behalf of Reading’s voluntary sector.
Voluntary organisation – last updated: 22 May 2013
Primary interest: Voluntary sector
Activity: Support
Primary beneficiaries: --
Area of activity: Reading-wide
Telephone: 0118 957 4123
Email: info@rva.org.uk Web site: www.rva.org.uk
Reading Voluntary Action promotes strength within Reading's voluntary and community sector (VCS) by providing information, access to resources, volunteer recruitment and training to people who work in or with charities, community groups and voluntary organisations. We support voluntary sector representation on cross sector partnership initiatives in Reading.
Our specialist advice for VCS organisations is provided individually and in networks, face-to-face, by telephone and email, or via themed meetings, training and seminars. We publish a variety of useful online resources, plus news and information through a range of channels.
Reading Voluntary Action is the host agency for the Healthwatch Reading which enables voluntary organisations and the local community to influence how health and social care services are provided.
Download RVA's latest Accounts and Annual Report
Link to YouTube to see a video summarising the year and introducing all the staff at RVA.
Telephone: 0118 957 4123
Email: advice@rva.org.uk
Address as above
Telephone: 0118 9023 910
Email: hello@rva.org.uk
Web site: www.rgneeds.me
Address as above
Email: rva@rvadirectory.org.uk
Web site: rvadirectory.org.uk
Address as above
Telephone: 0118 9023 921
Email: vioservices@rva.org.uk
Address as above
Telephone: 0118 902 3910
Email: info@rva.org.uk
Address as above
Mr Richard Corbett - Director
richard.corbett@rva.org.uk
Richard's role is to provide vision and leadership so that RVA can build the capacity of the local VCS and strengthen its voice; to promote the role and value of the sector to the public and to key agencies and partnerships which influence the life of the local community; to support the Board of Trustees in carrying out its governance responsibilities and ensure the organisation has the resources necessary to carry out these functions.
Astrid - Volunteering & Information Adviser
Astrid joined the volunteer team in October 2012, after being made redundant in the summer. She relishes the idea of helping people find the volunteering opportunity that is right for them.
Niall - Volunteering & Information Adviser
Having joined the volunteer team in November 2012, Niall has taken on a number of data processing and analysis projects whilst providing a friendly welcome to those visiting our information shop.
Ian Crabb - Information Hub Assistant
ian.crabb@rva.org.uk
Ian joined our volunteer adviser team in February 2012 and has now joined the staff on a temporary basis. He will provide day-to-day support for the volunteer team and help maintain the provision of news and information through RVA's websites, while we prepare for a move into larger shared premises later in 2013.
Tayo Awe - Trustee
Tayo is a Prince2 registered Project Manager, experienced in project management, change management and business process management, both in IT and business environments. She is passionate about volunteering and serving the community and hopes to bring to bear on her work with RVA her interest in evolving technologies.
Merlyn Barrett - LINk Development Worker
merlyn.barrett@rva.org.uk
Merlyn works with local people and groups to capture their views and experiences of health and social care services, and works with statutory service providers to help shape their services to meet local need. She leads on LINk's Mental Health projects.
Brian - Volunteering & Information Adviser
An established member of our adviser team since summer 2010, Brian is particularly interested in volunteering as a route to employment and personal development.
Peter Brierley - Trustee
Peter is part of the Neighbourhoods and Communities team for a national Housing Association, specialising in Community Development. A firm believer in the core notion of community development, he is also passionate about volunteering and hopes his enthusiasm will be an asset to RVA and its aims to support Reading's voluntary sector.
Hazel Broad - Deputy Director
hazel.broad@rva.org.uk
Hazel leads RVA's IT and communications work, including the development of our volunteering portal RGneeds.me as well as our other online channels. She oversees the workplan of our Information Hub and has a strategic role in the promotion and development of volunteering. Hazel is a deputy to the Local Strategic Partnership, a VCS representative on the Think Family Group and the Older People's Partnership, focusing particularly on promoting the sector's wide-ranging service delivery expertise.
Carol - Volunteering & Information Adviser
Part of our adviser team since 2008, Carol is an experienced volunteering adviser and has a strong knowledge of local voluntary organisations and the services they provide.
Kate Forster - Trustee
Kate brings to RVA's Board of Trustees a broad variety of HR experience in a range of organisational settings and sizes in both the public and private sector.
Robert Foster - Trustee
Robert has worked as a solicitor in the charity field for many years and has worked with a number of local organisations in the charity and wider social enterprise field. Robert has also been personally involved in charities as a charity trustee, through his church and in mentoring for Arts & Business.
Frank - Volunteering & Information Adviser
After joining the team in 2011, Frank has been amazed to discover the range of activities undertaken by groups in our local community and is keen to share this knowledge with those it could benefit.
Mrs Annette Haworth - Chair
chair@rva.org.uk
Annette Chairs RVA Board meetings and manages the Director on behalf of the Board. Taking overall responsibility for RVA's strategy and monitoring of delivery. Previously Annette managed the Information Services Directorate at Reading University. She has been chair, trustee and board member of several education, health and IT-related organisations and is currently a trustee-volunteer for AACT, a charity supporting people with communications disabilities.
Steve Hendry - Information Hub Coordinator
steve.hendry@rva.org.uk
Steve's key focus is the way we engage with the public at our offices in central Reading and via our growing range of online services. His work involves supporting RVA's team of volunteers to expand our service to the public and to voluntary sector organisations who use RVA's channels and facilities to promote their work and inform community members and stakeholders about it.
Gloria Jack - Trustee
Gloria is a Registered General Nurse and has worked at The Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust for over 35 years. Over many years she has served the community in various capacities (eg OSCAR, RCRE, COHSE) and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to bring to the board of RVA.
James - Volunteering & Information Adviser
Having joined our expanded team of advisers in 2011, James is particularly interested in encouraging participation in volunteering by young people.
Lillian King - Trustee
Lillian joined the Board of Trustees in 2012 and as one of our Volunteer Adviser Team has a wealth of knowledge of the local voluntary and community sector.
Michele Le Sueur - Development Coordinator - Volunteer Management
michele.lesueur@rva.org.uk
Michele is responsible for providing best practice support to local non-profit organisations who involve volunteers in their work. She is available to talk with organisations about their volunteering requirements and provides expertise on working with volunteers.
Lillian - Volunteering & Information Adviser
Lillian joined us in 2010 and has a wealth of knowledge of the local voluntary and community sector built up through her involvement with RVA and prior to that with various other local community projects.
Katherine Markova - Treasurer
Katherine is a qualified chartered accountant. By profession she is a corporate tax advisor working for a global professional services firm. Her interests outside of work include cycling, theatre, music and reading.
Sheena Masoero - LINk Development Worker
sheena.masoero@rva.org.uk
Sheena works with local people and groups to capture their views and experiences of health and social care services, and works with statutory service providers to help shape these services to meet local need. She leads on LINks projects with health providers and social care services.
Rachel Miller - Development Coordinator: Capable Communities
rachel.miller@rva.org.uk
Rachel's work looks at ways to increase the number of people who are active in communities around Reading by improving communication and ensuring people know how and where they can get involved in social groups, community events, sports, volunteering and democracy. She supports organisations to work together to increase participation in a range of activities. This post is funded by the Transforming Local Infrastructure project.
Sarah Morland - Business Ready Coordinator
sarah.morland@rva.org.uk
As part of the Transforming Local Infrastructure (TLI) programme, Sarah will undertake an assessment with groups who want to access support with improving their 'business readiness' for bidding to new sources of funding.
Karen Morton - Trustee
Karen is an experienced leader, manager, chair, facilitator, consultant and trainer, with a background in charity management and development.
Jim Murdoch - Office Manager
jim.murdoch@rva.org.uk
Jim manages the administration of Reading Voluntary Action. In this role he ensures that RVA's financial reporting systems, payments and accounts are maintained. He also ensures all governance aspects of the organisation are kept up to date as Company Secretary.
Rosita - Volunteering & Information Adviser
As a member of our adviser team since 2010, Rosita is always ready to welcome those interested in volunteering into our shop and to assist them in their search for the right opportunity for them.
Saeeka - Volunteering & Information Adviser
Having joined the adviser team in 2011, Saeeka provides a warm welcome to all of our visitors and provides helpful guidance for them to find the information they need.
Sandra - Volunteering & Information Adviser
Sandra has worked with us since February 2000 and is our most experienced adviser in the field of volunteering. In addition she is always keeping her eyes open for the latest news and events from our local community and voluntary organisations.
Nick Silk - Trustee
Nick brings a wealth of experience from the world of business having specialised in marketing, communications and branding. He also has a broad range of interests ranging from rugby to gardening.
Mandeep Sira - Involvement Manager
mandeep.sira@rva.org.uk
Mandeep is responsible for managing the LINk project and leading the transition to HealthWatch which takes place in April 2013. Her broader role is to promote the involvement of the people of Reading in how their services are delivered.
Rachel Spencer - Advice Manager
rachel.spencer@rva.org.uk
Rachel advises voluntary and community groups on legal and technical issues e.g. employment law, health and safety, data protection, charity law, etc. She also organises affordable local training on these issues.
Reading Voluntary Action (RVA) in partnership with Connect Reading
Reading Voluntary Action (RVA) in partnership with Healthwatch Reading
Reading Voluntary Action (RVA) in partnership with Reading Children's & Voluntary Youth Services (RCVYS)
Reading Voluntary Action (RVA) in partnership with Reading Faith Forum
Reading Voluntary Action (RVA) in partnership with Reading Borough Council - Funding Advice Team
Reading Voluntary Action (RVA) in partnership with Sakoma
Reading Voluntary Action (RVA) supports Get Involved Reading
Reading Voluntary Action (RVA) supports The Forum (Reading Voluntary Sector Forum)
Reading Voluntary Action (RVA) supports Think Big Reading
Reading Voluntary Action (RVA) is funded by Earley Charity
Reading Voluntary Action (RVA) is a member of Reading Compact
Reading Voluntary Action (RVA) is a representative on Forum Voices
Reading Voluntary Action (RVA) is a representative on Reading 2020 Partnership (LSP)
Reading Citizens Advice Bureau led a bid to the Advice Service Transition Fund (Big Lottery) and heard last week that £350,000 has been awarded to Reading over the next two years.
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