This list is part of ReadingCAN’s:
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List of Good & �Green Deeds 2025
Welcome to ReadingCAN’s
Good, green and community-spirited deeds you can do in Reading from 1 to 25 December 2025
TIP:
Your cursor might not change when you hover over links in this deck, but go ahead and click - the hyperlinks are there!
About the campaign
This List of Good & Green Deeds is part of ReadingCAN's Advent of Good and Green Deeds campaign: www.readingcan.org.uk/advent2025
If you would like to add a deed to the list, or suggest a change, please email info@readingcan.org.uk
Did you know:
Reading has a ‘people's plan’ for addressing the climate emergency.
The Reading Climate Emergency Strategy and Action Plan 2025–2030 �was co-created by local community groups, businesses, experts and householders during a ‘Year of Climate Engagement’ in 2024. It will be published in December 2025.
See a preview of the strategy and action plans at: www.readingcan.org.uk
PSST…This list is also available as a Google Sheet if you prefer that format.
How the Advent of Good & Green Deeds Campaign works
Gather your �advent group
Find some advent buddies – or do it solo!
Invite a few colleagues, friends or neighbours to do the Advent of Good and Green Deeds with you. Share the campaign’s website page www.readingcan.org.uk/advent2025 and invite them to a kick-off session.
Choose �your deeds
…using The List of Good �& Green Deeds 2025!
Invite others
to join you
Share your Calendar!
You now have a bespoke Advent of Deeds Calendar with relevant contact details or meeting points for your group. Share it with a wider group of colleagues, friends or neighbours to invite them into your group's campaign.
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Inspire others and raise awareness! When you share photos and videos of your deeds please:
>> Tag @ReadingCAN
>> Use hashtag #RDG_Advent25
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Spread the love �on social media
Follow us:
@ReadingClimateActionNetwork�@ReadingCAN
Deeds are divided into the following categories:
Climate Actions
Donations
Ethical Consumerism
Events
Volunteering
Citizen Action
Ideas & Tips
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Choose as many or as few deeds as you’d like to do during December
Climate actions
Title & link to more info | Start Date | End Date | Org | Description |
Free LED bulbs | Dec | Dec | Reading Hydro's Energy Champions | Save on energy bills over the festive period! Reading Hydro's Energy Champions will replace your light bulbs with low-energy LED’s – for FREE – if you're struggling with bills. Or pass on their details to someone in need. While stocks last! Call our voicemail for more info: 0300 102 4536 |
Dec | Mon-Thu9:30am- 12:30 | Weller Centre | To reduce food waste, we collect surplus food from supermarkets and make it available to anyone in the area who wants to support the circular economy. A limited stock of clothes is also available. (Clothes are intended for those in need.) Drop in to the Weller Centre, 110 Amersham Road, Mon to Thurs, 9:30am to 12:30. |
Climate Actions
Reading Climate Pledge �for Individuals
Wondering how to make an evidence-based difference to the climate crisis? Get together with your neighbours over some festive treats to explore this carefully-curated set of climate actions for households. (Or make some time during December to look at it yourself.)
Reading Climate Pledge �for Organisations
Want to help your organisation �make a contribution to Reading's goal �to become a net-zero, climate-resilient town but don't know where to start? This Pledge is for you! What about inviting some colleagues to explore it together over a few festive treats?
Click for info | Start date | End date | Org | Description |
Any Mon-Fri 10am-2pm | 5 Dec | Weller Centre | We're a drop-off point for new and good-as-new gifts for Reading Family Aid's Toys and Teens appeal. | |
6 Dec | 6 Dec | Reading Rep Theatre | Reading Rep Theatre is collecting Christmas gifts and toys for 4-16 year-olds on behalf of Spotlight UK. Bring unwrapped donations to the theatre on 6 December 2025 between 10am - 12 midday. | |
Until | 6 Dec | Reading Family Aid | Arrange a collection of new or nearly new festive gifts for 0-16 year-olds at your workplace or school, or collect donations from your 'advent group' and take them to an existing donation point. Visit the link for more information. |
Donations
Event Name | Start Date | End Date | Organisation | Description |
Until | 6 Dec | Fourbears Books | Our bookshop is a Toys and Teens Donation Point for Reading Family Aid: 20 Prospect St, Reading RG4 8JG | |
Until | 14 Dec | The Engine Shed | Buy a raffle ticket before 13 December to support The Engine Shed, a Reading charity providing social and recreational activities for autistic children and adults. Follow the link for details. The draw is on 14 December 2025. | |
Warm Clothing Collection | 15 Dec | 19 Dec | University of Reading | Winter Warmer: Together with the Community Rail Partnership, we are collecting warm winter clothing that will be given out to those in need in Reading. The clothing can be dropped off in Reading Students' Union at the reception from Mon 15 Dec to Fri 19 Dec 2025. Email Ho-Kit Lam (h.lam3@reading.ac.uk) for more information. |
Donations
Click for more info | Start Date | End Date | Org | Description |
Until | 19 Dec | Connect Reading with The Oracle | Help make the holidays special for local people in need by donating a gift to The Giving Tree, Connect Reading's flagship community campaign! How? Head to The Oracle Shopping Centre, pick up a Giving Tree tag, purchase the requested gift and drop it off at a collection point. | |
Until | End Nov | Weller Centre | Drop off Advent Calendars to the Weller Centre and we will get them to people in the local area who aren't likely to have one. (Editor: This is the one deed we've included that ends in November - please note:) | |
Dec | Mon-Fri 10am-2pm all year | Weller Centre | Drop off long-life food (including tinned items that are approaching their best-before dates) to help stock our foodbank. All items welcome, from tinned beans to cereal as long as it is unopened and still in date. |
Donations
Click for more info | Start Date | End Date | Org | Description |
Dec | Dec | True Food Co-op | Donate food to Readifood via a collection point at True Food Co-op. | |
Dec | Dec | Connect Reading | Help Connect Reading continue their amazing work on the Giving Tree. Donate to the initiative via the Online Giving Tree. | |
Donate bikes, skates, skateboards and scooters for Christmas gifts - or buy refurbished items! | Dec | Dec | Reading Bike Hub Opening hours: Wed & Fri 3pm to 8pm; Sat & Sun 11am to 4pm, but check website. | Reading Bike Hub is at 14-16A King Street Reading RG1 2HE - the old Mothercare! Donate a bike, skates, scooter or skateboard this December and help us give the gift of active travel to all families in Reading. Adult items will be refurbished and sold at affordable prices. Children's bikes are FREE, and families are welcome to make a donation if they can. |
Donations
Ethical Consumerism
Click for more info | Start Date | End Date | Org | Description |
Dec | Dec | Reading Bike Hub | Reading Bike Hub is at 14-16A King Street RG1 2HE. Pick up a FREE refurbished children's bike or an affordable bike for adults. Families are welcome to make a donation if they can afford it. Check website for opening hours. | |
Dec | Dec | RISC | Pop into the RISC World Shop for a wide range of Fair Trade and ethical products. Use your consumer power to create a more fair and sustainable world! 35-39 London St, RG1 4PS | |
Dec | Dec | True Food | True Food Coop is a small independent business that supports the local community. You can bring your own containers! | |
Dec | Dec | Deecaf Eco Community Cafe | Deecaf (in Dee Park estate) has a positive impact on the environment and serves the best breakfast in Reading (says Edible Reading!). Also a food bank & refill station. Tip: It's a lovely walk along the river to Deecaf from Caversham!) |
Events
Click for more info | Start Date | End Date | Org | Description |
2 Dec | 2 Dec | Launchpad | Launchpad's Carol's by Candlelight 2025: Christmas classics by a barbershop quartet and a fabulous youth choir plus some festive readings and inspiring stories about Launchpad’s work with people in housing crisis. Every ticket sold helps Launchpad provide homes for Reading's most vulnerable this winter. | |
5 Dec | 5 Dec | Artisan Uprising | Join the Caversham community for live music, food, gifts and Santa in St Martin's Precinct. From 4pm to 10pm. | |
6 Dec | 6 Dec | PACT | PACT's Carols at the Minster - a fun-filled, family-friendly afternoon of music, performances and Christmas reflections to celebrate and raise money for PACT’s life-changing work with women, children, families and the local community. Refreshments from 3pm, main event 4pm-5.30pm |
Events
Click for more info | Start Date | End Date | Org | Description |
6 Dec | 6 Dec | Tollhurst Organic | Join a guided 3.5 hour winter walk around this organic farm to learn how biodiversity can work within a food producing system. Wear suitable shoes and bring a picnic lunch! Starts 10am. Click on link in Column 1 for tickets. | |
6 Dec | 6 Dec | ECONET� | Green Christmas Tree Sale! Buy a Scots Pine Christmas tree, natural decorations and beautiful Fair Trade presents at Caversham Court, 9.30am to 12.30. Trees are harvested as part of the management of heathland. RSPB, BBOWT and Fair Trade stalls will have gifts, cards and calendars, bird boxes, hedgehog boxes, local wood work, local honey and candles and delicious warm drinks. | |
| 6 Dec | Keep Caversham Tidy | Join a Keep Caversham Tidy litter pick to help clean up Nire Road and surrounding areas. Follow the link in Column 1 or email KeepCavershamTidy@gmail.com for more info. |
Click for more info | Start Date | End Date | Org | Description |
7 Dec | 7 Dec | Community AF (Aurora Family) | 12pm to 5pm: Did you know the UK uses 227,000 miles of wrapping paper each year and that 1kg of wrapping paper creates over 3kg of CO2 emissions during its production? Join us to make your own gift wrapping paper from recycled and repurposed materials. Just one of the activities on offer at the Community AF International Food & Craft Market at St. Bartholomews Church, RG1 3QA. | |
7 Dec | 7 Dec | Jelly Reading | Community Art Space starts at 11:00am. | |
7 Dec | 7 Dec | Reading Rotary Club | Reading Rotary Santa Run will raise funds for local charities No5 and Berkshire Music Trust this year. Sponsored by University of Reading. It's a 5k timed festive run, with shorter options so everyone can take part. Walk, jog or run...your choice! Entries close Friday 5 Dec 2025. |
Events
Click for more info | Start Date | End Date | Org | Description |
Guided Walk and Shop Local - £12pp | 12 Dec | 12 Dec | Walk Works | Guided Walk (via bus): Our 6.5km circular walk will start and end at The Herb Farm in Sonning Common, which is on the Pink 25 bus route. We'll finish with some optional Christmas shopping (or eating) at The Herb Farm Shop and Cafe, supporting local artists and producers. The 8:47am bus from Forbury Rd arrives at Essex Way in Sonning Common at 9:07. From there, walk over the Herb Farm. Taking this journey by bus saves 1400g of CO2 compared to driving. That's the same as keeping a fridge running for 51 days! To purchase a ticket email hello@walkworks.co.uk |
| 12 Dec 2025 | New Directions College | Textile Wreath Making Workshop 10am to 4pm |
Events
Click for more info | Start Date | End Date | Org | Description |
Visit Santa & Stalls | 14 Dec | 14 Dec | Whitley CDA | Whitley Wonderland at South Reading Communty Hub: Local stall holders will offer crafts, gifts and Santa visits in the exclusive WCDA grotto. From 2:30 to 5:30pm. |
14 Dec | 14 Dec | Jelly Reading | Jelly's Christmas Art Shop opens at 12:00 midday.� | |
Guided Walk £12pp | 19 Dec | 19 Dec | Walk Works | Guided walk (via bus): Get the Pink 25 bus to The Unicorn Pub at Kingwood Common.The 8:45am bus fro Friar Street will get you there by 9:16am for our 9:30am start. Our walk is an 8km circular route, ending at the pub for lunch for those who would like to stay. (Lunch is not included in the cost.) Taking this journey by bus saves 1888g of CO2 compared to driving. That's the same as keeping a lightbulb on for 532 hours! To purchase a ticket email hello@walkworks.co.uk |
Events
Click for more info | Start Date | End Date | Org | Description |
20 Dec | 20 Dec | Keep Caversham Tidy | Join a litter pick on 20th December (Hills Meadow and George Street). Follow the link in Column 1 or email KeepCavershamTidy@gmail.com. | |
21 Dec | 21 Dec | Fobney Marshians | Festive Marsh Stomp! 10am on 21 December 2025 - The 'Fobney Marshians' have been looking after this beautiful wetland close to the town centre for over a year. Join a stomping party to help us trample areas of the marsh to benefit wildflowers, birds and more. All you need are wellies and a good sense of humour. To help us manage numbers and communicate the meeting point, register via Eventbrite - link in Column 1. | |
Community Spirit on Christmas Day | | 25 Dec | Fourbears Books | Open Christmas Day for those who find themselves alone! Join us for a mince pie and community spirit, from 10:30am-1pm: 20 Prospect St, Reading RG4 8JG |
Events
Click for more info | Start Date | End Date | Org | Description |
20 Dec | 20 Dec | Nature Nurture | Join Nature Nurture and Food4Families for a range of joyful and inspiring seasonal activities for all ages at Holy Brook Nook - campfire singing, seasonal arts and crafts and a warming mulled drink. Come and join the fun from 12pm to 4pm. Click the link in Column 1 for info. |
Events - LATE ADDITIONS (not in date order)
Volunteering Opportunities
Click for more info | Start Date | End Date | Org | Description |
10 Dec | 10 Dec | Shelter | Take part in Shelter's Winter Bucket Collection! We’re looking for volunteers to join our Community Fundraising team for a collection event at Reading Main Station from 16:15 – 19:45. | |
8 Dec | 11 Dec | Reading Family Aid | Volunteer for Reading Family Aid for one or more days during the toy-sorting and packing week 8-11 December. | |
11 Dec | 11 Dec | | Visit the RISC Roof Garden and help us pick some Szechwan and Nepali peppercorns for our Zero Waste refill shop. Be part of our circular economy then take some peppercorns home (for free). Please book a 30-minute slot via our Eventbrite link in Column 1. |
Click for more info | Start Date | End Date | Org | Description |
Volunteer for Reading Bike Hub | 12 Dec | 12 Dec | Reading Bike Hub | 5pm to 8pm: Spend an evening with Reading Bike Hub fixing donated children's bikes to help us give as many families as possible a free bike this Christmas. |
Volunteer for The Giving Tree | 15 Dec | 15 Dec | University of Reading | The Giving Tree Wrap Up! Join a gift wrapping session as part of Connect Reading's Giving Tree. These gifts are destined for the Berkshire Healthcare Charity. Come to the Reading Students' Union from 10:30am to 1pm. Email Ho-Kit Lam (h.lam3@reading.ac.uk) for more information |
Volunteer for Reading Students' Union | 19 Dec | 19 Dec | University of Reading | The University of Reading and Reading Students' Union are putting on a Christmas with the Community event for students who remain in Reading over December. We are looking for volunteers to help out. Email Ho-Kit Lam (h.lam3@reading.ac.uk) for more information |
Volunteering Opportunities
Click for more info | Start Date | End date | Org | Description |
Volunteer for Hexham Community Centre | 16 Dec | 16 Dec | Hexham Community Centre | Garden Tidy: We're looking for a small group of people who can help to rake up leaves, clear litter, tidy up and weed small beds and perhaps put up some outdoor festive decorations ahead of a Christmas event we're hosting for families on the 19 December. We're also looking for donations of compost. Please bring your own gloves and gardening tools. (Small forks and trowels are sufficient.) To take part, please contact Sarah Hunneman on Sarah.Hunneman@reading.gov.uk |
Volunteering Opportunities
Click for more info | Start Date | End date | Org | Description |
6 Dec | 6 Dec | Good Gym | Do good, get fit! Help us paint walls at South Reading Community Centre (252 Northumberland Ave), to freshen up the centre. All equipment is provided and people can sign up via our website or by emailing us at reading@goodgym.org. | |
8 Dec | 8 Dec | Good Gym | Join a litter pick around Reading town centre, while playing 'litter pick bingo'! We'll bring all the equipment, and people can sign up via the our website (see Column 1) or by emailing reading@goodgym.org. |
Volunteering Opportunities - LATE ADDITIONS (not in date order)
Citizen Action
Click for more info | Start Date | End Date | Org | Description |
Dec | Dec | Green Party | Register to vote and then vote for a party with good policies for people and planet. If you are already registered why not register for a postal vote, making it easier to vote? | |
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Ideas & Tips
Idea | Description |
Carol singing | Host your neighbours for some carol singing in a garden, garage or communal space. Make sure to invite the musicians! |
Schedule in a facilitated Fresk or Carbon Literacy Training session for your colleagues or community group for the new year. Email pahcooper@hotmail.com to book a free session in Reading. | |
Prepare for a reduced-waste, lower-carbon Christmas. Click Column 1 for ideas. | |
Swap Party | Host a swap party as part of your gift 'shopping'. |
Gift Wrapping | Make some uniquely creative and stylish gift wrapping using newspaper, brown paper, collages, leaves, fabric, charity shop finds... |
Festive meals �and recipes | Host a meal of delicious locally-sourced foods, and share recipes. |
Stroll | Swap screens for a stroll. Go for an adventurous local night walk! |
Idea | Description |
Decorations | Make some beautiful zero-waste festive decorations. Pine cones, oranges, rosemary, acorns, leaves and even toilet paper rolls can be transformed into stunning decor! Google and Pinterest have plenty of inspiration. Look for Natural decorations / sustainable Christmas decorations / toilet roll stars / winter crafts / citrus ornaments and more! |
Move Your Money | Move your money. Check if your bank or pension invests in fossil fuels, and explore greener options. |
Thermostat | Thermostats...yes, it's true, turning it down by 1°C saves about 10% on heating energy over a year. |
Plant bulbs | Plant bulbs in pots for your neighbours as festive, community-spirited gifts. |
Litter Picking | Organise your own litter-picking event in an area near you. |
Ideas & Tips
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List of Good & �Green Deeds 2025
Check for the latest updates to the List of Good & Green Deeds at:
Follow us:
@ReadingClimateActionNetwork�@ReadingCAN