Coffee with a colleague
01 March 2022
Do you want to get to know more about different parts of the University and our diverse community?
Would you just like to expand your network, have a bit of fun and enjoy a free coffee?*
Coffee With a Colleague (CWAC) is a new scheme that offers colleagues across the institution an easy way to connect with others outside of their immediate area of work.
Participating is easy:
Simply complete this short form with details of your area of work and meeting preferences, and our algorithm will match you with a colleague from another part of the University.
Matches are made every three weeks and the first match will be on 21 March. Participants will receive details of your match via email so that you can arrange to meet in person, or online, at a time that suits you.
Colleagues who’ve signed up will be matched every three weeks, but the form will remain open for signups at any time. There’s no ongoing commitment after your match, but if you enjoyed the experience why not sign up again?
We’ve already received lots of positive feedback from colleagues who took part in the pilot:
“I met with my matched colleague on Friday and thoroughly enjoyed it. I knew them a little already, but it was great way to get to know each other better. We chatted about work and home life and the time just flew by. It's a busy time for me, workwise, and it was great to take some time out. I would definitely recommend CWAC." – pilot participant.
If you don't wish to sign up for matching today, but might do in future, we would like to add you to our reminders email list.
Successful pitch to Vice-Chancellor
This scheme was developed and is run voluntarily by colleagues who met at the University induction and became friends; Joanna Manzi-Crean (Alumni), Anne Delauzun (Careers) and Eva Van Herel (Executive Support) and supported by Miguel Sanchez Razo from Computer Science. They pitched their idea in one of the Vice-Chancellor’s Surgeries to Robert Van de Noort, who was able to provide funding for the scheme from the University’s Endowment Fund – covering the development of the algorithm to match participants and free drinks for the first 100 colleagues who participate.
Robert said “Coffee with a Colleague is a fantastic concept, bringing together colleagues from across our varied and talented teams. One of our many strengths at Reading is our diverse community of staff and students; not only is a great way to meet new friends but the best ideas are generated when we discover new and unexpected viewpoints. If you have an idea or initiative to improve life at the University then do sign up for a session at my VC surgeries – as we can work together to make this happen.”
Initially this scheme will only be available to UK-based colleagues, incorporating Whiteknights, Henley Greenlands and London Road campuses. Should it prove successful, we would hope to widen the participation to include our worldwide campuses.
To take part in the scheme and be matched with a colleague at the end of the month, you can sign up with this form. For more information, or if you have any questions, please email coffeecolleague@reading.ac.uk.
*A voucher for a free hot drink or equivalent value cold drink will be available to the first 100 participants. This can be redeemed at our range of cafés on Whiteknights and London Road campuses, and at the Henley Business School Greenlands café.