University of Reading launches charity support initiative

A university has launched a new initiative to support community charities and projects in its local area.

The University of Reading measures will include a new Charity of the Year scheme and a staff volunteering project.

The project aims to bring multiple community-based projects from across the Thames Valley together.

A pre-existing community fund has also been absorbed into the new scheme.

The staff volunteering scheme will encourage the university's 4,500 academic and professional staff to take up to two days of paid time off work per year.

Prof Robert Van de Noort, vice-chancellor of the university, said: "Most of my colleagues work and live in Reading and the Thames Valley and if we, through all these initiatives, can make this just a slightly more prosperous, healthy and interesting place to live then we have achieved our purpose."

The university is encouraging staff members and charities to apply for the Charity of the Year scheme and the community fund, with both being decided over the summer.

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