@communityfirstoxon
Community First Oxfordshire is a #communitydevelopment and #placemaking charity. From #communityaction to #neighbourhoodplans to #villagehalls, we have been supporting Oxfordshire’s people and places to work together and thrive for over 100 years!
Map of Oxfordshire with pins of our work filling the page
True to our name, our work really is Oxfordshire-wide!
Explore the map of our work here: www.google.com/maps/d/viewe...
Although we have rural roots as a former Rural Communities Council, our work now covers both urban and rural areas, recognising commonalities between these communities.
Last Tuesday was International Youth Day! We are keen to work with young people more in our organisation – but so is everyone else it seems.
So why do we think this is important?
Read our blog! communityfirstoxon.org/news-blog/in...
A great comic about the Social Model of Disability - worth a read! Fun and informative.
gmcdp.com/accessibles-...
This is part of a series called 'The Accessibles' written by the Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People’s (GMCDP’s) Young Disabled People Taking Action
Quote from Plunkett UK: "This progress needs grant support funding," says James Alcock, Chief Executive, inviting member feedback.
A new Community Right to Buy was recently announced in Parliament as part of the English Devolution Bill - making it easier for local groups to take ownership of valued community assets.
Read the full response from our CEO James Alcock: https://plunkett.co.uk/community-right-to-buy-encouraging/
Did you know that the need for affordable housing is 50% higher in rural areas than urban areas?
This #ruralhousingweek we explored affordable rural housing in Oxfordshire, and the work our Rural Housing Enablers are doing to meet local needs:
communityfirstoxon.org/news-blog/ru...
Asylum Welcome is hosting a great range of events for refugee week, including Oxford Sanctuary Fair, football matches, an open house, a solidarity walk…
Take a look! www.asylum-welcome.org/oxfordrefuge...
#Pridemonth marks the Stonewall Riots of June 27th 1969. The LGBTQ+ community have a history of protest for social justice, but also of community organising - something we can look up to and learn from as a community development charity. Read more here: communityfirstoxon.org/news-blog/lg...
Quote: "The feeling of of contributing to something meaningful and making a difference in my community, boosts my confidence and sense of purpose in life." Martin Hawkins Chairman, Asthall Leigh Memorial Hall Trustees
This #VolunteersWeek2025, we’re giving a special shout out to Hall Trustees & Parish Councillors. These committed, proactive, & generous individuals keep community infrastructure thriving, supporting the spaces and activities which mean so much to local people: communityfirstoxon.org/blogs-news/
We are hiring! Community Development Worker - Heyford Park 14hrs p/w (2-days a week) - £11,872 (£29,680 FTE) per annum. Community First Oxfordshire logo. Photo of people Heyford Village Green in background.
📢 We're hiring a Community Development Worker 📢
Join our team! You'll support community groups & events at Heyford Park.
We're looking for someone who enjoys working with all sorts of people, takes initiative, and has great communication skills
Details here:
communityfirstoxon.org/news-blog/we...
The new Community First Oxfordshire logo
🌟 We’re excited to launch our new website and logo this week, designed to make our services more accessible to people across Oxfordshire 🌟
communityfirstoxon.org - take a look!
Working together, local housing can be different…. come along and find out more! Community First Oxfordshire is hosting two events around housing:
📍 20th May, 7.30pm, Didcot Civic Hall, OX11 7JN
📍 10th June 2025, 7.30pm, Chesterton Village Hall, OX26 1UN
🎟 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/together-w...
#volunteering #ABCD #communitydevelopment #oxfordshire #workshop
'Build Community and Make It Enjoyable' - that's the theme for the next Let's Talk Volunteering.
Join us & OCVA for our free session on Wed 21st May about:
- Asset Based Community Development
- Making volunteering enjoyable
See you there!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lets-talk-...
What is a “do with” approach?
Who decides what's best for a community? Should it be residents? Or perhaps ‘higher authorities’? Or is there a way where both have equal value?
Read about this & other interesting updates, news, and events in this month’s newsletter!
eocampaign1.com/web-version?...
Calling Oxfordshire commuters and residents!
Researchers want to understand the impact of zero emission buses in the wider community. They're offering a £40 gift voucher for 1.5 hours of your time in a focus group.
Take a look at the poster for more info.
What is affordable housing and why is it needed?
Last year, we shared this video as part of the Rural Thames Valley Partnership. It’s so good we thought we’d share it again!
youtu.be/PNwsCW35OVA?...
Interested in Community Led Housing?
Join our events where communities involved in community-led housing will share their experience, providing practical advice and inspiration
More info & free booking here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/together-w...
#communityledhousing #AffordableHousing #oxfordshire
Climate action is important – not only as a standalone project but also as part of all work. We made this infographic to share our work on climate and show how holistic climate action can be: www.communityfirstoxon.org/wp-content/u...
Eating well is one of the most important things we can do for our health, but for many people, access to affordable, nutritious food is limited. You can read our blog post about healthy eating in the groups we support here: ocva.org.uk/2025/04/15/w...
Are there eco words you don't understand?
For Earth Day next Tuesday, we'll break down some environmental jargon. Comment with questions....
Some ideas:
How are the climate & biodiversity crises different?
What does sustainability actually mean?
Or regeneration, zero carbon, and ecological..?
We're hiring a Community Capacity Builder!
21hrs p/w – £17,808/annum
This 1-year position supports Well Together in Oxfordshire - an innovative programme tackling health inequalities through developing community activity.
See here for info! www.communityfirstoxon.org/come-and-wor...
Last day and a half of Marmalade Festival in Oxford, bringing together people from around the world with global/local, strategic/grassroots perspectives.
Catch their talks here:
www.marmalade.io
Reminder to sign up to our event on rural housing on the 3rd of April! Looking forward to lots of insightful discussion...
And listen to BBC Radio Somerset's great interview with David and Louise in conversation with Simon Parkin: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Book cover with title 'Halls for All: A history of Village Halls' by Louise Beaton and David Clark
#VillageHallsWeek kicked off yesterday with the launch of a wonderful book called ‘Halls for All‘ by Louise Beaton OBE and Dr David Clark! Read more here acre.org.uk/celebrating-...
This #villagehallsweek share an inspirational hall volunteer you know with the ACRE volunteer gallery to celebrate their contribution to their local hall and community: acre.org.uk/celebrating-...
Our placemaking staff are busy with Neighbourhood Development Plans (NDP) in North Leigh, Chipping Norton, Marcham,Bletchingdon, Ducklington…
NDP are a powerful tool to ensure your community gets the most out of the planning system, detailing a community-led vision & policies for future development
We are hiring a Senior Administrator!
28hrs p/w (4-days) – £22,800 (£28,500 FTE)/ annum
Join our proactive team to support the running of our office, be our company secretary, and lead on our membership scheme amongst other varied tasks.
More info here: www.communityfirstoxon.org/we-are-hirin...
Halls are a really important part of both rural & urban communities, giving space for people to come together. Here's a video we created for #VillageHallsWeek 2025 to show some benefits they bring to people youtu.be/AeyYlqNGgUY
#VillageHallsWeek2025 #villagehall #communityspaces
Are you a parish council, community group, or resident who wants to tackle Oxfordshire's crisis in rural affordable housing? Join our talk on our rural housing service & how to use small housing schemes to meet local needs: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rural-hous...
6-7:30pm 3rd April Abingdon Guild Hall