Directory of local groups

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Food

This group exists to facilitate access to more allotment land for the town's people of Earley. Main activities include: Engaging with the Town Council on the issue of allotment provision. Applying for grant funding to support campaigning. EAAG leaflet distribution to town's folk. Bioregion survey of potential new allotment sites for Earley residents.

Area of operation:	Earley
Regular meeting arrangements:	Place: Time:
Contact details:	Peter Wheat Email: peter_wheat@hotmail.com
Web site:	http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/EarleyAllotmentsActionGroup/

Food4Families is a RISC sponsored, community based Reading project for children and their families which aims to enable them to manage land in their local neighbourhoods for the sustainable growing of food for their own consumption, encourage healthier eating and lifestyle habits and develop understanding of the broader environmental, cultural and economic aspects of sustainable food production.

Area of operation:	Reading
Regular meeting arrangements:	Place: Time:
Contact details:	Sharon Fitton Telephone: 0118 958 6692 Email: sharon@risc.org.uk
Web site:	http://www.food4families.org.uk

Global Justice Now campaigns for a world where resources are controlled by the many, not the few. We work in solidarity with social movements to challenge corporate power and the policies that cause poverty and inequality all over the world. Our local group, Global Justice Reading, organises film screenings and talks and we take part in creative street campaigning and lobbying politicians.

Area of operation:	Reading and surrounding area
Regular meeting arrangements:	Place: RISC Time: Bi-monthly meetings
Contact details:	Jackie Oversby Telephone: 07745310794 Email: globaljusticereading@gmail.com
Web site:	http://www.globaljustice.org.uk/reading/

We are a zero waste shop with a focus on fair trade and organic food. Our aim is to make plastic-free and zero waste foods accessible to the people of Reading, and to raise awareness of the ways in which vulnerable communities around the world are particularly impacted by plastic pollution and environmental degradation. We're located at 35-39 London Street, RG14PS and we are open 10am-6pm Tuesday-Sunday.

Area of operation:	Reading
Regular meeting arrangements:	Place: Time:
Contact details:
Web site:	https://risc.org.uk/global-refills

Community garden for the residents of West Reading

Area of operation:	West Reading
Regular meeting arrangements:	Place: In the garden Time: First Thursday of the month
Contact details:	Ricky Josey Telephone: 07577777079 Email: oxfordroadgarden@yahoo.co.uk
Web site:	http://www.orcg.org.uk

To promote and encourage the development of a sustainable local community. Our particular aims are: Reduce community carbon footprint; promote sustainability projects, act as a source of sustainability advice to the community and foster the biodiversity of the local natural environment.

Area of operation:	Pangbourne, Whitchurch-on-Thames, Tidmarsh, Upper Basildon
Regular meeting arrangements:	Place: Time:
Contact details:
Web site:	http://www.pawsg.com

The basic aim of the group is to promote greater awareness and understanding of all matters that link population growth to the environment and sustainability within the RG postcode area. We hope to be working closely within the Greater Reading Environmental Network,aiming to share our knowledge and information by gaining speaking and presentation engagements amongst GREN members, as well as amongst many other community and voluntary groups in the district. We will also be trying to get speakers into all secondary schools within the Reading district as a high priority. In addition, we intend to be actively engaged in writing letters to local papers and aim to engage with the MP and Town Councillors for Reading on population and all related matters - such as the ongoing need for ever more housing, schools, roads and dealing with flooding, traffic congestion and overstretched local resources etc in the area.

Area of operation:	The whole of the RG postcode area
Regular meeting arrangements:	Place: Place: Various locations, sometimes Reading Museum Cafe, or on-line by Zoom Time: Time: Please check with the contact below for dates & times
Contact details:	Peter Bloyce Telephone: 01256 810910 Email: peterbloyce@btinternet.com
Web site:	http://populationmatters.org.uk

Reading Food Growing Network aims to: Promote locally grown food in Reading. Enable sharing of resources and purchasing capacity between food growers in Reading e.g. seed & manure purchase or plant swaps. Facilitate the exchange of information and ideas. Provide advice and support to new and existing growers. Promote the expansion of sustainable local food production. Celebrate local food together at the Reading Town Meal and other events.

Area of operation:	Greater Reading
Regular meeting arrangements:	Place: RISC Time:
Contact details:	Email: secretary@rfgn.org.uk
Web site:	http://www.readingfoodgrowingnetwork.org.uk/

To run the annual Reading Vegan Festival in the town centre to raise awareness and provide information about a vegan, cruelty free and ethical lifestyle through fun events with food, clothing and gift stalls, information and charity stalls, workshops and speakers on a range of topics.

Area of operation:	Reading
Regular meeting arrangements:	Place: Time:
Contact details:	Email: info@readingveganfestival.co.uk
Web site:	http://www.readingveganfestival.co.uk

The Mustard Tree Foundation (MTF) seeks to enable the community to speak for itself, to empower members of society who are marginalised and enable them to speak into and shape their community. This is done through a number of different projects: - Lifeline - The Rahab Project - Starting Point Reading - TLG School (in partnership with RCC) - Let's Grow - The Parenting Initiative - Engage:Befriending (starting May 2013)

Area of operation:	Reading and surrounding area
Regular meeting arrangements:	Place: Time:
Contact details:	Telephone: 01189567000
Web site:	http://www.themustardtree.org

a) to promote sustainable development locally, particularly with regard to such issues as : • environmental sustainability • health • homes • employment and the local economy • the conservation of biological diversity b) to promote participation in local governmental processes.

Area of operation:	Tilehurst
Regular meeting arrangements:	Place: Tilehurst Methodist Church Hall, SchoolRd ,Tilehurst Reading Time: 7.15pm on the third wed every month ( 2nd in December,not Aug)
Contact details:	Telephone: 0118 9425169 Email: tilehurstglobe@hotmail.com
Web site:	http://www.tilehurst-globe.org.uk

Reading Transition recognises both the inevitability and challenges of declining fossil fuel use. We aim to bring Reading’s diverse communities together, to use our collective wisdom to turn this potential crisis into an opportunity to thrive and create a positive future for all of us.

Area of operation:	Greater Reading
Regular meeting arrangements:	Place: Time:
Contact details:	Rachel Miller Email: info@transitionreading.org.uk
Web site:	http://www.transitionreading.org.uk

Main Activities: * Community Apple Press * Norreys Garden Share Scheme - Growing Together in Wokingham * Transition Wokingham - Plan Bee Groups main purpose: * Plan community action to address peak oil and climate change * Engage with the whole community through businesses, councils and authorities * Celebrate even our smallest successes to make the transiion to living in time without cheap oil * Encourage local, individual, small changes, locally sourced * Run talks, films and local events

Area of operation:	Wokingham Borough
Regular meeting arrangements:	Place: Time:
Contact details:	Tamzin Evershed Email: TransitionWokingham@yahoo.co.uk
Web site:	http://www.transitionnetwork.org/initiatives.wokingham

True Food Co-op is a not-for-profit organisation based in Reading, Berkshire.True Food Co-op offers a huge range of organic wholefoods, fresh fruit and vegetables and eco-friendly household products at markets held in neighbourhood community centres near you. There is also a shop in Emmer Green.

Area of operation:	Reading
Regular meeting arrangements:	Place: Shop in Emmer Green Time: see web site
Contact details:	Helen Warren Telephone: 0845 330 8272 Email: organics@truefood.coop
Web site:	http://www.truefood.coop

Act as a forum for local groups to network and share information

Area of operation:	Tilehurst, Theale
Regular meeting arrangements:	Place: Time:
Contact details:	Evangeline Wood Email: ewood@westberkshire.gov.uk
Web site:	http://www.wbge.org.uk