Connect Reading

More than 1,000 everyday essentials. Around 150 Bags of Hope. One incredible community effort. 🧡

Last week, apprentices from Coca-Cola Europacific Partners joined us at De Vere Wokefield Estate for a volunteering morning organised with Winning Events Ltd as part of our Summer Giving Appeal.

The morning was about much more than packing bags. Volunteers heard first-hand from local charities about the people these donations would support, before packing around 150 Bags of Hope with more than 1,000 everyday essentials. Many also added handwritten messages of encouragement for the people who will receive them.

The bags are now with local charities across Reading, ready to support individuals and families throughout the summer.

A huge thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered and helped make Summer Giving 2026 possible. Together, you've shown what's possible when our community comes together.

🧡 Could your organisation be part of something like this? We're already looking ahead to the Giving Tree and Summer Giving 2027. If you'd like to become a Connect Reading member or create meaningful volunteering opportunities for your team, we'd love to hear from you.

With thanks to Sharon Blyfield OBE, Lucinda Winning, Sam Elliot, Winning Events Ltd, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, De Vere Wokefield Estate, and our charity partners: Sadaka, Faith Christian Group, DigitAll, Chapter2, Launchpad Reading, Dingley's Promise, Children Heard and Seen, EHSL Supported Housing Charity, Home-Start Reading, Together for Mental Wellbeing and The Cowshed.

What can happen when two Connect Reading members come together?

Quite a lot, as it turns out!

Last week, PepsiCo teamed up with Chiltern Edge School for a volunteering day that transformed the school's hall and outdoor spaces - creating improvements that will benefit staff, students and the wider community for years to come.

It was fantastic to see the PepsiCo team throwing themselves into every job with such enthusiasm (and plenty of paint rollers!).

Afterwards, Amelia Marden, Operations Manager at Chiltern Edge School, sent us this lovely feedback:

"...The whole process has felt very easy from start to finish and as a school we were all amazed at how much you all managed to accomplish!
..we all felt that team were a joy to have on site; everyone was friendly, positive and engaged. The work you have done will really make a difference to all the staff, students and community who use the hall."

A huge thank you to everyone from PepsiCo and Chiltern Edge School who made the day such a success. We're incredibly proud to have organisations like these as part of our network.

If you'd like your organisation to be part of more good news stories like this, we'd love to help make the right connections. Get in touch to find out more about becoming a Connect Reading member.

🧡 Good Things Happen When We Connect.

🎁✨ Giving Tree 2025 – A Record Breaking Year! ✨🎁

Wow, Reading – you’ve outdone yourselves this Christmas! 💫

Together we’ve achieved something incredible:
🎁 2,611 specifically wished‑for gifts donated
❤️ 30 recipient schools & charities supported
🌟 28 superstar volunteers
🤝 21 local businesses
🙌 And a huge shout‑out to the team and shoppers at , who almost doubled last year’s collection with a stonking 1,414 gifts!

All those gifts are now with local charities, ready to bring joy just in time for Christmas. 🎄

We’re so proud to wrap up this record‑breaking campaign – thank you, Reading, for making this year truly magical. 💝

Together for Mental Wellbeing works alongside people on their journey towards better mental wellbeing and independent lives. Their Giving Tree gifts are being provided by Egnyte and The Oracle's public Giving Tree.

The Kennet Federation of Southcote Primary School and Katesgrove Primary is collecting gifts for families who access their food banks and pastoral support services. This year their Christmas wishes are being fulfilled by the Giving Tree at the University of Reading

The Cowshed is a charity which provides support to people of all backgrounds in a time of personal crisis. The Oracle's public tree is where you can find their Giving Tree tags.

Royal Berks Charity supports the work of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. Their Giving Tree gifts will go to young patients in hospital on Christmas Day, and will be donated by Reading.

Readipop uses music and arts to enrich lives, communities and the cultural landscape of Reading and the Thames Valley, working with everyone including supporting vulnerable young people, aspiring artists and musicians. Gift tags with their wishes can be found on The Oracle's public Giving Tree.

Reading Family Aid helps children living with poverty and other disadvantages in the Reading area. Their wished for Giving Tree gifts will be donated by PepsiCo this year.