Vivace Voices Charity Summer Concert

DATE: Wednesday July 15th

TIME: 14:30-15:30 followed by a delicious buffet tea.

PLACE: English Martyrs Catholic Church, 64 Liebenrood Rd, Reading RG30 2EB

TICKETS: £8 on the door - cash, card & contactless

PARKING: There is plenty of parking on site at the church.

Join us in making this event memorable while supporting an incredible cause!

Thank you ...

for taking the time to visit our Just Giving page.

Vivace Voices is a Tilehurst-based choir for female voices. We enjoy singing a very eclectic range of music, and every term we perform a concert at which we raise money for charity.

This term our chosen charity is Bridge for Young People. This small but mighty local charity started up 20 years ago thanks to a couple called John and Patsy. A young lad (one of the more than 25 children they had fostered) was forced to leave their foster care at just 17 years old, despite not being ready for independent living. Without the support he needed, he quickly became homeless, struggled with alcohol, and eventually ended up in prison. For John and Patsy seeing so many vulnerable young people facing the same fate was heartbreaking.

Determined to create change, they founded Young People & Children First.

Now known as Bridge For Young People the charity provides safe housing, guidance, and ongoing support for care leavers and homeless young people, helping them build stable, independent futures. Their belief is simple: every young person deserves a safe place to live until they are truly ready for independence.

A recent story ...

During the Covid lockdowns, one of the young people supported by Bridge For Young People faced an incredibly difficult time. Living with autism, he relied heavily on routine and personal connection to manage his anxiety. When restrictions meant he could no longer regularly see his girlfriend, his mental wellbeing quickly began to decline.

Video calls were overwhelming for him, and without the comfort of familiar routines and face-to-face contact, he became increasingly isolated and anxious.

Wanting to help, one of the charity’s support workers made the extraordinary decision to form a support bubble with the couple. This simple but compassionate act meant they could safely spend time together again, going on wellbeing walks and rebuilding the routine and connection that meant so much to him.

The difference was life-changing.

Recently, the charity received a phone call from the young man, who has since moved away and built an independent life. He shared the wonderful news that he and his girlfriend are now getting married. He credited the support worker and the charity with helping them stay together through one of the hardest periods of their lives — and invited the staff to their wedding.

It was a powerful reminder that sometimes the smallest acts of kindness can change a life forever.

Vivace Voices Charity Summer Concert

DATE: Wednesday July 15th

TIME: 14:30-15:30 followed by a delicious buffet tea.

PLACE: English Martyrs Catholic Church, 64 Liebenrood Rd, Reading RG30 2EB

TICKETS: £8 on the door - cash, card & contactless

PARKING: There is plenty of parking on site at the church.

Join us in making this event memorable while supporting an incredible cause!