Basingstoke Voluntary Action

02/06/2026

Volunteering - Building Communication skills & Confidence

Last week, we said goodbye to our wonderful reception volunteer, Bimala. While we’re sad to see her go, we’re also delighted that her next step is into employment.

Bimala began volunteering with BVA to build her communication skills and confidence as she worked towards finding a job. Everyone who has had the pleasure of working with her has seen just how much she has grown, and we’re all so excited for her as she starts this new chapter.

Improving communication skills and building confidence are just some of the many benefits of volunteering. If you’d like to find out more about volunteering, pop along to one of our Community Volunteer Hubs or visit www.volunteernorthhants.org to explore opportunities across North Hampshire.

02/06/2026

Thinking about volunteering? There are so many positive benefits - not just for your community, but for you too.

Freelance writer and blogger Rosie Buckley has kindly written a brilliant article for us: 10 Reasons to Volunteer and How It Changes Lives (Including Yours!)

Here are just a few of the reasons she highlights:
💙Making new connections
💙Improving mental health
💙Developing new skills

Visit our website to read the full article - link in the comments.

01/06/2026

Want to find out more about volunteering? 💙
Our community Volunteer Hub will be at the Chineham Library - Hampshire County Council, 14:00-16:00, tomorrow (Tuesday 2nd June).

Speak to Sam about what volunteering opportunities are out there and how you can get involved. There is no need to book an appointment, just pop in for a chat.

Can't make it? No worries there will be three running this week:
📆 Tuesday 2nd June, ⏰14:00 - 16:00
📍Chineham Library, Chineham Library, Chineham District Centre, Chineham, Basingstoke, RG24 8BQ

📆 Wednesday 3rd June, ⏰ 11:00 - 13:00
📍Cafe in the Park Beggarwood, Broadmere Road, Basingstoke, RG22 4AQ

📆 Thursday 4th June, ⏰ 10:30 - 12:30
📍The Orchard, White Hart Lane, RG21 4AF

Chineham Library - Hampshire County Council Cafe in the Park & Beggarwood Community Centre

01/06/2026

It’s Volunteers’ Week 2026! Volunteers’ Week is a celebration of volunteers – those who give up their time for free to give back to their local community. As volunteering is a big deal here at BVA, throughout the week we will be sharing local opportunities, volunteer stories, and ways to get involved.

01/06/2026

It's volunteers week, a wonderful opportunity to share and celebrate what many are doing quietly behind the scenes to help others and make the world a better place. 🙏
💙

29/05/2026

Thrive Volunteer Taster Day - Wednesday 3rd June, 10:30am - 12:30pm 🌷🌱

Thrive has been transforming lives through gardening for over 45 years through the life-changing benefits of therapeutic gardening and nature which support us physically, mentally and socially.

They are calling for volunteers to assist with therapeutic gardening programmes at its Reading centre in Beech Hill.

Volunteers will work alongside practitioners and help client gardeners who may be disabled or experiencing ill-health and disadvantage.

Thrive are holding one of their volunteer sessions next Wednesday, this is a great opportunity to see all the wonderful work they do and meet the team!
If you love gardening and want to give back, pop along to their taster day and find out more.

To book your space contact Thrive on:
💻 www.thrive.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/reading
📞 call 0118 9884844
📩 email [email protected]

29/05/2026

The Big Bike Revival is an intervention for adults aimed at encouraging an uptake in cycling. By providing solutions to perceived barriers, adults are enabled to learn to how to cycle and to increase their cycling levels for short, everyday journeys. Events focus on presenting cycling as a practical, normal and habitual way to get around locally.

The Big Bike Revival is delivered across England by a wide range of community-embedded partners who understand the local need. Delivery partners are typically volunteer-led groups, not-for-profit organisations and social enterprises that are rooted in local communities and working to address a range of local needs.

They are experienced in engaging with non-regular cyclists and people in need in terms of social, economic and health deprivation.

The program is grant funded. If your organisation is interested in delivering the program go to the website below for information on how to take part.

Click the link to find out more: https://www.cyclinguk.org/bigbikerevival

28/05/2026

Mayor's Community Chest ✨
BVA are pleased to be supporting the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane Cllr Jacky Tustain with her charity fundraising.

Donations to the Community Chest will support local charities and community groups that promote physical and mental wellbeing across the borough, helping people feel better, more connected and less isolated.

If you would like to donate, donations can be made here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mayors-charity-appeal

Please help us spread the word about the fund 💙 Thank you

During her Mayoral year, Cllr Jacky Tustain will be raising funds for a Community Chest to support local charities and community groups across the borough.

The focus is to help promote physical and mental wellbeing, so more people feel connected, supported and less isolated. From fitness sessions and mental health support to music, arts, and community events, the fund will help projects that bring people together and create a stronger, more positive borough. Grants will be awarded to organisations delivering activities such as:

🤸🏽exercise and wellbeing sessions
🎨arts, crafts, music, and dance groups
👩🏽‍🦳 intergenerational projects
☕community festivals and inclusive events

The grants programme will be managed by Basingstoke Voluntary Action , working with a Community Chest Grants Panel, chaired by the Mayor.

28/05/2026

Did you know its Volunteers’ Week next week? ✨🎉

Volunteering is kind of a big deal here at BVA so we will be running three Community Volunteer Hubs next week, allowing lots of opportunities to find out more about how you can volunteer in your community:
🔷 Tuesday 2nd June - 14:00-16:00 - Chineham Library, Chineham District Centre, Chineham, Basingstoke, RG24 8BQ
🔷 Wednesday 3rd June – 11:00-13:00 - Cafe in the Park Beggarwood, Broadmere Road, Basingstoke, RG22 4AQ
🔷 Thursday 4th June - 10:30-12:30 - The Orchard, White Hart Lane, Basingstoke, RG21 4AF

There is no need to book, just pop in 💙

Stay tuned next week as we will be sharing stories, volunteering opportunities and celebrating our wonderful volunteers.

Cafe in the Park & Beggarwood Community Centre Chineham Library - Hampshire County Council

27/05/2026

Join Reading Basingstoke Community Rail Partnership for a relaxed rail trip and fully accessible wellbeing walk as part of Community Rail Week 2026!

Enjoy free rail travel from Basingstoke to Bramley before enjoying a gentle guided 1.5 mile walk around the village and surrounding area.

✅ Fully accessible route
✅ Pushchair friendly
✅ A relaxed and supportive introduction to travelling by train – welcoming to new and experienced rail users alike

We'll travel together from Basingstoke, making this a great opportunity for anyone looking to build confidence using the railway whilst enjoying a social afternoon out.

After the walk, there'll also be the option for a tea and treat at Waring's Bakery, right next to the station.

📍 Meet outside the front of Basingstoke station
📅 Tuesday 2 June, 1pm
🚆 Train travel included free of charge

Hampshire Community Rail Partnership Basingstoke Wellbeing Walks