Carers Oxfordshire held its fourth annual Caring Matters Conference on 25th November at The Kassam Stadium, Oxford, and addressed key issues in caring in 2016. The conference offered carers and professionals essential information and advice around the caring role.
OCF has published its 2016 accounts, which show that the organisation has successfully stewarded over £1 million in donations for the third consecutive year, and achieved a sustained level of grant-making. With the appointment of a new Chair, OCF also strengthened its governance and strategy during 2016.
Provided in collaboration with OCVA and Charity Mentors Oxfordshire, Charity Triage will provide confidential support to charities that find themselves facing an uncertain future. The initiative will help clarify problems and pinpoint the right support in terms of training, leadership or funding.
New research published today by New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) investigates the untapped potential of data held by charity funders. OCF’s Chief Executive Jayne Woodley was interviewed as part of the research, alongside several other UK community foundations.
This week saw the launch of 17 Vital Signs reports, which measure social trends and issues, and bring in the view of local communities. Similarly, OCF’s Oxfordshire Uncovered research is already starting conversations about the need for strategic charitable investment.
Using her charitable fund with the community foundation, our donor has recently given £25,000 to local charities Asylum Welcome and Oxford City of Sanctuary, which provide a warm welcome to people from all over the world seeking refuge in our city.
Led by accountancy firm Clark Howes, Reciprocate Encounters is a quarterly-run professional skills programme delivered by companies who want to share their wealth of knowledge and experience with the charity sector on a range of business-critical areas.
This year’s High Sheriff of Oxfordshire Sarah Taylor is on a mission to support the people she describes as “unsung heroes” – those who are dedicated to caring for family or friends who are ill. She has so far raised nearly £74,000, of which the majority will be distributed amongst charities supporting Oxfordshire carers.
OCF is supporting Homes for Oxford in the search for a site for innovative affordable housing. The alliance of community housing projects put in a bid to develop the Wolvercote paper mill site, which was unsuccessful, but the group plans to build on the learning and investment for future projects.
Charities and community groups in Oxfordshire have received a helping hand this month after The Midcounties Co-operative enabled groups to access grants totalling £17,030 via their fund with Oxfordshire Community Foundation. New applications will be sought in August.