Every single person in Oxfordshire deserves to be part of a thriving community, where everyone lives a decent life. Unfortunately, too many people face barriers to their safety, wellbeing and fulfilment.
In 2016, OCF published the first edition of Oxfordshire Uncovered, where we revealed some of the surprising and concerning issues affecting our county. Since then, we have experienced a pandemic, a cost-of-living crisis and increasingly extreme weather, all of which have affected the most vulnerable in our county the greatest. These have highlighted to us the importance of investing in preventative measures and resilience, alongside immediate relief.
Over the last few years charities have been stretched to breaking point by increased demand for their vital services, combined with increased running costs and decreased giving. Nonetheless, our county’s effective and expert charitable sector has stepped up in these hardest of times.
In publishing this second edition of Oxfordshire Uncovered, we reveal the latest headlines about the barriers that stop people in Oxfordshire from thriving, and why charities and philanthropy are so vital in our county. These include: unaffordable essentials; poor health; loneliness and fear; and lack of opportunity.
Oxfordshire is not just dreaming spires and green wellies. Peel back the layers and you will discover another Oxfordshire right on your doorstep:
- Around 1,800 households are made homeless in Oxfordshire each year
- 48,000 people in Oxfordshire say they often or always feel lonely
- People living in the most deprived areas of the county tend to die 12 years earlier than those in affluent areas
- In Oxford one in six children live in poverty.
To read the full report, please view it using the link below, or contact us to request a printed copy.
View Oxfordshire Uncovered (online flipping book)
Download Oxfordshire Uncovered (PDF)
The report has been created and published thanks to wonderful sponsorship from the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire 2023-24, Sally Scott.
Speaking about the report, OCF’s President and Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire Marjorie Glasgow BEM said: “This new edition of Oxfordshire Uncovered makes a powerful case for philanthropy in the county. As the Lord-Lieutenant, it has been exciting to see the many effective volunteer organisations in Oxfordshire. But a common thread is most of them need funding. I believe that is where donors can work with Oxfordshire Community Foundation to effectively help these groups.”
Professor Irene Tracey, CBE, FRS, FMedSci, Vice-Chancellor, University of Oxford, said: “I highly recommend Oxfordshire Uncovered to anyone who wants to understand how global and national issues – ranging from energy security to refugee movements, from our ageing population to mental health – are playing out locally in this fabulous county that I’m proud to call home.”
Ansaf Azhar, Oxfordshire Director of Public Health, commented: “This excellent report shines a spotlight on health inequalities in Oxfordshire and the essential role of the charitable sector for improving residents’ mental and physical health.”
Chief Constable Jason Hogg, Thames Valley Police, said: “This is a highly enlightening and honest report on life in Oxfordshire. Oxfordshire Uncovered shines a light on the difficulties faced by our neighbours and fellow Oxfordshire residents, and offers insights into how our communities can come together for a brighter future.”
OCF’s purpose is thriving communities, and we believe that effective philanthropy is a crucial way to achieve this – combining and investing our county’s resources to deliver targeted funding to grassroots charities that cannot dedicate many of their own resources to fundraising. We believe that the people of Oxfordshire have the desire, commitment and prosperity to make this vision a reality.