Welcome to February’s RED Awards Newsletter.
Whether you have chosen RED, Sustainable Action or Global Engagement – our dedicated RED Awards team is here to help you complete your goals.
Calling all Finalists
For the first time, the RED Awards will be recognised in the graduation ceremony. All graduands who have completed the RED, Global Engagement or Sustainable Action Award(s) will have this achievement marked in both the printed and digital graduation brochure.
If you are in your final year, please complete your RED Award pathway by 2nd June to ensure your achievement is included in the brochure.
This Month’s Events
Celebration of Volunteering – nominations open
Nominations for the Celebration of Volunteering are now open!
There are six award categories this year, with four for student volunteers:
- Reading Students’ Union Project of the Year
- Student Volunteer of the Year
- Students in Schools Volunteer of the Year
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Volunteer of the Year
You can nominate yourself or another person for any of the award categories. Head to the Celebration of Volunteering website for more information, as well as guidance on how to create a great nomination alongside information on virtual drop ins to help you write a brilliant nomination. Nominations close at midnight on Friday 28 February.
The Celebration of Volunteering event on Thursday 1 May 2025 will bring together colleagues, students, alumni and community partners to award, showcase and celebrate those who have gone above and beyond to volunteer on campus or in their local community.
The event will also include an exhibition and series of videos showcasing the variety of exciting and impactful volunteering opportunities that colleagues, students, alumni and supporters are involved in.
If you have any questions, please email volunteer@reading.ac.uk.
Exclusive RED Awards Event: Enterprise Mobility Succeed Assessment Centres Session - 24th March 2025
For RED, Global Engagement and Sustainable Action
The Succeed Assessment Centres session run by Enterprise Mobility on Monday 24th March at 1pm will take place in Palmer Building, room 106. This event is exclusive to students on the RED awards. Please email red@reading.ac.uk if you will be attending the event. This event is exclusive to students on any of the three RED Awards.
RED Events
Online 27 Feb RED Award - finding opportunities and progressing your award
In Person Carrington 201 25 March RED Award - finding opportunities and progressing your award
Sustainable Action Events
Online 26 March RED Sustainable Action and Global Engagement Awards - finding opportunities and progressing your award
Smile with Sustainability - University of Reading
Joint Institutions Great Debate 2025 - University of Reading
Sustainable Action Event: 19 March 2025
Sustainable Action Event including poster competitions to win one of two £20 vouchers: 19 March 2025.
Join us for the RED Award Sustainable Action Conference on Wednesday 19 March 2-4:30 pm in Carrington 101. This event is to help you complete your articulate section. Anyone on the Sustainable Action pathway can apply, and you don't need to have completed your 40 hours to take part. You can also count the event towards your act and acquire hours. There will be prizes for the best posters and presentations - the audience choice and the speakers' choice (£20 voucher for each award) which will both be awarded on the day. The format will be a relaxed poster talk where you engage with a small audience, passionate about sustainability, in a calm and relaxed environment about the change(s) you are advocating for. The RED Award Team will be on hand to provide support on poster content and presenting. Your poster will be printed for you. Tea and coffee will be provided but please bring a reusable cup to support our efforts in sustainability.
We have an exciting programme of both internal and external speakers supporting the conference, and there will be networking opportunities at the end of the day.
Hear from speakers including:
- Dan Fernbank, the Energy and Sustainability Director at UoR discussing the heat pump project at SportsPark to make the building close to zero carbon
- Tony Cowling, from Reading Hydro and chair of Reading Community Energy Society, will talk about energy use reduction, solar panels, and about DraughtBusters, who help those in energy poverty
- Dylan Parkes, Head of Strategic Engagement (Climate and Environmental Sustainability), will bring up student opportunities for sustainability
There will be time for questions after each speaker, and opportunities to network about sustainability at the end of the event.
If you would like to complete your articulate section at this event and enter the poster competition, please email red@reading.ac.uk by 12 March 2025.
New Sustainable Action Learning Opportunity - Please act quickly on this!
The University of Tasmania is launching a new Climate Change MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) in the coming months and would love your insights!
Your feedback will help shape accessible, high-quality climate literacy for high school students and adults. The aims of the course are to deepen both local and global communities’ understanding of climate change, and empower more people to make climate-smart decisions that have real impact.
The details:
The course will take 6-8 hours to complete; we would need this completed by Friday 21 March;
your feedback would be via a form at the end of the course, and will be no more than 10 questions;
upon completion of the course, you will receive a digital badge that you can include in your CV or post on social media to show off your new skills and knowledge.
Interested in helping to test out this new MOOC? Send your full name and preferred email address to short.course@utas.edu.au.
Global Engagement Events
Online 26 March RED Sustainable Action and Global Engagement Awards - finding opportunities and progressing your award
Featured Volunteering Opportunities for all RED Awards
Volunteer with Cianna's Smile
Events Volunteer (RED, Sustainable Action)
Summary: Assist in organising, planning and running charity events, including workshops, fundraisers and community outreach programmes. Ensure events run smoothly and provide a positive experience for attendees. Next upcoming event is our Bridgerton Theme Gala at Reading Hilton Saturday 17th May 6pm and we are in need of volunteers: helping set up/tidy, welcome guests, coordinate photoshoots, monitor raffle tickets/prizes etc.
Blood Donor Event Representative and Recruitment Officer- Varies (RED, Sustainable Action)
Summary: Represent Cianna's Smile at blood donation awareness events, including talks at schools/workplaces/community groups screening documentary, raising awareness about the importance of blood donation for those with Sickle Cell. Engage with potential donors and recruit new donors to register and donate blood.
Resource Development Volunteer- 6 to 10 hours per week (RED, Sustainable Action, Global Engagement)
Summary: Create and manage resources, including educational materials, guides, and toolkits, to support individuals, families, and advocates impacted by Sickle Cell. Ensure materials are accessible, accurate and engaging.
Bookkeeping Volunteer- 3 hours per week (RED)
Summary: Maintain accurate financial records, assist with budgeting and ensure transparency in financial reporting. Work closely with the leadership team to manage donations, grants and event budgets.
Event Planner- 6 hours per week (RED, Sustainable Action)
Summary: Design and coordinate the logistics for charity events, including securing venues, managing vendors and developing event schedules. Collaborate with the team to align events with the charity's mission and goals.
Networking and Partnerships Volunteer- 6 hours per week (RED, Global Engagement)
Summary: Build and strengthen relationships with organisations, community groups, and stakeholders. Identify and secure opportunities for partnerships that align with Cianna's Smile's goals.
Volunteer Recruitment Officer- 6 hours per week (RED, Sustainable Action)
Summary: Develop and implement strategies to attract, onboard and retain volunteers. Ensure that all volunteers are well-supported and match their skills to appropriate roles within the charity.
Advocacy and Awareness Volunteer- 4 to 8 hours per week (RED, Sustainable Action, Global Engagement)
Summary: Help drive advocacy campaigns to increase public and institutional awareness of Sickle Cell. Work on initiatives that influence policy changes and amplify the voices of those affected.
Social Media and Marketing Volunteer- 6 hours per week (RED, Sustainable Action, Global Engagement)
Summary: Manage Cianna's Smile's social media accounts, creating engaging content to promote events, campaigns and resources. Assist in developing marketing strategies to increase the charity's reach and impact.
Youth Worker (RED, Sustainable Action)
Summary: As a Volunteer Youth Worker, you will engage with young people, particularly those impacted by Sickle Cell, to provide guidance, support and organise activities and events. This role involves organising activities, facilitating discussions and creating a safe, inclusive space to empower youth and build their confidence. Ideal for individuals with strong communication skills, empathy and a passion for helping young people thrive. Training and support will be provided to help you succeed in this rewarding role.
Whether you're a seasoned professional, a student needing experience/job reference, or someone looking to give back to the community, we welcome your unique skills and enthusiasm. By volunteering with Cianna's Smile, you'll not only support individuals and families impacted by Sickle Cell but also gain valuable experience, meet incredible people and be part of a cause that truly matters.
Interested?
Email taryn@ciannassmile.co.uk to apply.
NB for more volunteering and paid work opportunities please see our Blackboard Careers 24/7 and Finalist Futures, and the RED volunteering pages.
Student Showcase:
We are looking for volunteers from all Red Awards to film a short 30 second to 1 minute 29 second video, or to produce a short blog explaining how you met the challenges of the award(s), what benefits you got out of the awards, and promoting them to your fellow students. If successful, your video could be selected for potential inclusion on our social media channels, and your blog could be featured on this page. To submit a video or to ask any questions about the process please contact alexandra.martin@reading.ac.uk. To submit a short blog for promotional purposes please email red@reading.ac.uk.