Reading International Solidarity Centre

Reading International Solidarity Centre (RISC) is a Development Education Centre close to the heart of Reading’s town centre. We work with schools and community groups to raise the profile of global issues and promote action for sustainability, human rights and social justice.

Education

RISC has an education team who work with teachers and schools to promote Global Citizenship in the curriculum. Their work ranges from training courses to RISC’s own publications and more.

World Shop

RISC is home to one of the UK’s largest Fair Trade shops. A member of BAFTS (British Association of Fair Trade Shops), it raises awareness of fair trade through the products it sells as well as encouraging the use of eco friendly household products. A large section of the shop is devoted to a resource centre selling teaching packs on global citizenship, and non-fiction on various global issues, as well as fiction from majority world authors, and a large selection of children’s books further promoting global citizenship at an early age.

Global Cafe

The Global Cafe is a fully licensed venue providing daytime and evening drinks to Reading using fairly traded and local products where possible. The cafe frequently hosts live music and events and the Global Kitchen provides vegetarian/vegan food from lunchtime through to the evening.

Gardens

RISC also works on various other projects with a focus on sustainable development and food security. This work begins on our edible roof garden and continues with projects that work with local community groups and schools.

Events

Various events take place in RISC on a wide range of subjects and formats, all with the aim to raise awareness and understanding of development education issues.

Volunteer

RISC provides many work opportunities to volunteers coming from a wide background. Volunteers are at the foundation of RISC, without their work we simply could not function as we do.

Room Hire

RISC houses several function rooms including a large conference hall, available for the public to hire.