READING-BASED community projects are set to benefit from a funding boost over the next 12 months.
The University of Reading and John Sykes Foundation’s Community Fund will offer financial support to projects that benefit the people of the town and their neighbourhoods.
Launched in 2021, the project covers activities in topics such as music, sport, education, healthcare and social mobility, which help all members of the community.
These include science workshops for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, a children’s choir, health checks for the homeless and refugees and climate change education for special needs students.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Robert Van de Noort said: “At a time when costs are rising for everybody it is important that projects like these, that can have a huge benefit for so many people in our area, don’t get left behind and abandoned altogether.
“As a University, we want to be involved in the wellbeing of our town and its people so it is great that we are able to support these projects through the Community Fund.”
Prof Van de Noort was part of a panel, alongside Dr Sally Lloyd-Evans, deputy head of department for geography and environmental, John Sykes, founder and chair of trustees, and Sian McCoubrey, volunteer, which made funding decisions.
John Sykes said: “The Community Fund was established to help the people and communities of Reading.
“Last year we supported some fantastic projects that have made a meaningful difference to the communities they serve, and I have no doubt that this next round of funding will do the same or more. I very much look forward to hearing how these projects progress.”
This is the second year University staff members have been invited to apply for funding to support projects they are involved in, either as part of their job, or in a voluntary capacity.
Initiatives which secured funding last year included: a skills room at homeless charity Launchpad, a refugee football team, Sanctuary Strikers, Berkshire Brigands and a clean air for schools project.
