Charities in Reading
There are 1,020 registered charities based in and around Reading. 693 of them (68%) are small, with an income under £100,000 a year. The most common causes are children and young people, education, and the arts and heritage.
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What they work on
- Children and young people372
- Education326
- Arts and heritage122
- Disability113
- Poverty and hardship61
- Older people34
- Environment29
- Overseas aid29
We count a charity under a cause when its description on the register makes it clear, which is true of 707 of the 1,020. Charities are placed by their registered address, so the numbers include some national charities with an office here. Volunteers are as reported by the 691 local charities under £1 million a year that file an annual return, from the returns held in October 2026. Data from the Charity Commission register, last refreshed in June 2026.
Charities for children and young people in Reading
5 of the 372 we found.
103rd Reading (Oxford Road) Scout Group
RG30 · Small charity, income under £100k
The purpose of Scouting is to contribute to the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of…
3rd Reading (St Peter's Caversham) Scout Group
RG4 · Small charity, income under £100k
To promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual social and spiritual potentials, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and…
The Polish Saturday School in Reading
RG1 · Small charity, income under £100k
The object of The Polish Saturday School in Reading is to advance education of young people between the ages of 4 and 20 in Reading and in surrounding areas, in Polish language, literature, history, geography, culture,…
Reading Sea Cadets
RG30 · Small charity, income under £100k
Sea Cadets is different from school. There's a lot of learning, but it's done through activities on and off the water and our volunteers lead by example.It's also different from home, a break from screens and being…
Reading Refocus
RG1 · Small charity, income under £100k
Refocus works for the public benefits by addressing the needs mainly of young people of black and minority ethnic origin in and around reading, berkshire who are either involved in crime or at risk of becoming so. we…
Education charities in Reading
5 of the 326 we found.
The Reading Foundation
RG1 · Income £100k to £1m
Education
The Woodley Pre-school (Reading)
RG5 · Income £100k to £1m
Providing childcare to 2 years old to 5 years children on non domestic premises
The Vine Christian School (Reading)
RG7 · Income £100k to £1m
The school uses the Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) system, used world wide in over 8000 schools, totalling over 1,000,000 pupils. Regular games & outdoor activities take place. The bible is the point of reference…
Stepping Stones Pre School (Reading)
RG30 · Income £100k to £1m
provide education and play for 2 years to five years children in the Reading area
The Reading Schools Christian Work Trust
RG2 · Small charity, income under £100k
Visiting Secondary Schools in the Reading area, taking assemblies, PSHE lessons, support CUs, running After School Clubs etc.
Arts and heritage charities in Reading
5 of the 122 we found.
The Reading Symphony Orchestra
RG4 · Small charity, income under £100k
The Society rehearses weekly under the direction of a professional musical director in order to achieve a high standard of performance. It performs a series of public concerts at venues in the Reading area. It also…
Friends of Reading Museum
RG1 · Small charity, income under £100k
Support for reading museum
Reading Lunchtime Choir
RG7 · Income under £10k
In order to advance improve develop and maintain public education in and appreciation of the art and science of choral music, we accept new members to our choir without audition, We rehearse each week a wide variety of…
Bengali Cultural Society, Reading
RG31 · Small charity, income under £100k
We organise a series of cultural, art and heritage related programmes that are usually delivered free of charge, on a charitable basis, to all participants and the audience.
Reading Spring Gardens Brass Band
RG31 · Income under £10k
The charity is considered the oldest musical institution in Reading, Berkshire with a history that dates to 1899. It has always aimed to support any member of the public, including young people, who can play a brass…
Disability charities in Reading
5 of the 113 we found.
Reading Families' Forum CIO
RG30 · Small charity, income under £100k
To enable young people aged 0 to 25 years with disabilities or special educational needs and their families to meet and discuss issues with service providers in Reading Borough Council, and local NHS and voluntary…
Reading's Talking News
RG1 · Income under £10k
Bringing local news and activities to blind and partially sighted people
Reading Hospital Broadcasting Service
RG30 · Income under £10k
A hospital broadcasting service ("Hospital Radio Reading") for the Royal Berkshire Hospital. Patients are visited in their wards and can phone in free from the bedside to take part in programmes. A live and interactive…
Reading Mencap
RG1 · Income £100k to £1m
Reading Mencap is a local charity, which aims to provide help and support for people with a learning disability, and their families, in the Reading area.
Reading Community Welfare Rights Unit
RG1 · Income £100k to £1m
Specialist Advice on Welfare Benefits.
Poverty and hardship charities in Reading
5 of the 61 we found.
Smart Works Reading
RG1 · Income £100k to £1m
Smart works reading is a uk charity that is focused on helping out-of-work women on low incomes get back into the workforce. we provide interview coaching, high quality interview clothes and styling advice. we help…
Reading Family Aid Group
RG6 · Small charity, income under £100k
Provision of Christmas gifts to disadvantaged children in the Reading area.Annual day out to theme park or seaside for disadvantaged familiesAnnual visit to Pantomime in January each yearAnnual visit to Camp Mohawk,…
Hope Into Action: Reading
RG1 · Income £100k to £1m
HIAR exists to alleviate homelessness and poverty
Reading and District Provincial Grand Lodge of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes the Grand Lodge of England Benevolent Fund
RG30 · Income under £10k
To raise funds to enable payments to be made to eligible persons who require financial assistance.
The Way Ministry Reading
RG4 · Small charity, income under £100k
Reading, Berkshire has issues with homelessness and child poverty. Due toincreased local demand on public funding, the local council, local charities,and churches have had to come up with a different approach to support…
Charities for older people in Reading
5 of the 34 we found.
University of the Third Age - Reading
RG31 · Small charity, income under £100k
Education & social activities for those persons retired or in semi-retirement in and around reading
Reading Caversham Heights Townswomen (A) Guild
RG4 · Income under £10k
No activities
Age Concern Reading
RG1 · Income £100k to £1m
Information and Signposting, Activity Clubs, Tea Club, Weekly Pop-In, Toenail Cutting Service, Befriending, gardening, shopping and Campaigning on issues that affect people in later life.
Reading Retirement Centre (F I R T R E E )
RG31 · Small charity, income under £100k
Fit,ness in Retirement taking relaxation and exercise. Movement to music.Linedancing Scrabble Lectures Choir Card games Rambles Bowls.
Elderly Accommodation Counsel
RG6 · Income £100k to £1m
We provide a free national service to help older people make informed decisions about meeting their care, support and accommodation needs.We lead a network of partner organisations and older people's groups who provide…
Small charities in Reading
Most charities here are small, often a few volunteers doing good work close to home, and few of them can afford to advertise. Each of these has an income under £100,000 a year and has reported its accounts recently.
Trelix Charitable Trust
RG1 · Small charity, income under £100k
Grant making to charitable organisations for charitable purposes. Unfortunately we are not able to consider applications from individuals.
Beech Hill Memorial Hall
RG7 · Small charity, income under £100k
to maintain the memorial hall for the benefit of the local community; to promote community activity in and around the hall; to secure the future of a memorial hall in the village
Kidmore End War Memorial Hall
RG4 · Small charity, income under £100k
Village Hall - Keep fit, Yoga, Martial Arts, Dancing, Functions, Community Groups, Community Events and recreational activities
Sulhamstead and Ufton Village Hall
RG30 · Small charity, income under £100k
Provide the facilities of a local Village Hall to the local community
Thousands Buddha UK
RG2 · Small charity, income under £100k
Raise awareness and understanding of religious beliefs, practices through leaflets and social media tools; Carry out Buddhist religious teaching. Community Development by promoting volunteering, effective use of…
The Dogmersfield School Association
RG27 · Small charity, income under £100k
School PTA
Caversham Baptist Church
RG4 · Small charity, income under £100k
The principal purpose of the church is the advancement of the christian faith according to the principles of the baptist denomination. in fulfilling the purpose the church engages in a range of activities either on its…
Brookfields School Association
RG31 · Small charity, income under £100k
To advance the education of pupils at Brookfields School, by assisting in the provision of facilities or resources [not required to be provided by the LEA] for their development.To promote the social inclusion and…
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How many charities are there in Reading?
There are 1,020 registered charities based in and around Reading. 693 of them (68%) are small, with an income under £100,000 a year. The figures come from the Charity Commission register for England and Wales, last refreshed in June 2026, and count charities by their registered address.
What do charities in Reading work on?
The most common causes are children and young people (372), education (326), and the arts and heritage (122). We count a charity under a cause when its own description on the register makes that clear, which is true of 707 of the 1,020, so the real numbers are higher.
How many people volunteer for charities in Reading?
Local charities in and around Reading have 17,022 volunteers between them. That's what 691 charities with an income under £1 million a year told the Charity Commission in their latest annual return. Charities with an income under £10,000 don't have to report it, so the real number is higher.
How do I choose a charity in Reading to support?
Start with what matters to you. Answer a few short questions and we'll pick the few Reading charities that fit you best, with the reasons why. It's free, takes a couple of minutes, and we never ask for any contact details. No charity can pay to appear on your list. Start with your story.
How can I check a charity in Reading is genuine?
Look it up on the Charity Commission register by its name or charity number. Its page there shows what it does, who its trustees are and its latest accounts. Every charity on this page links straight to its register record.
Charities in places nearby
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