Voluntary and community organisations
Oxfordshire Community Voluntary Action and Witney based Volunteer Link-Up provide information on local volunteering opportunities and support for community groups including:
- resources for funding applications
- volunteer recruitment
- venue hire options and
- legal advice
West Oxfordshire Citizens Advice can help with a range of issues, for example, debt, understanding benefits, employment issues, consumer rights and relationship problems.
Environmental community groups
Here is a list of local community groups working to improve the local environment:
- Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty volunteers welcomed
- Freecycle a great way to source and reuse goods locally for free
- BBOWT volunteer for practical conservation and survey work for areas such as Chimney Meadows, Chinnor Hill and Cothill Nature Reserve
- RSPB Farmoor Nature Reserve
- Oxfordshire Woodland Group promotes the sympathetic management of Oxfordshire's small woods. Access to free professional woodland management advice and training
- Witney Woodland Volunteers action group that cares for Witney's environment
- Chipping Norton Green Gym why not combine exercise with getting closer to nature? These green gyms are independent community groups that get involved in local conservation projects
- Wychwood Forest Trust become a Friend of Wychwood to support restoration and conservation of the Royal Hunting Forest of Wychwood
Community Action Groups (CAGs)
The following CAGs organise events and initiatives to reduce, reuse or recycle waste, promote energy efficiency and decrease the carbon footprint of their community:
- Charlbury Green Hub
- GreenTEA
- Sustainable Stonesfield
- Sustainable Leafield's Facebook page
- Sustainable Woodstock
- Transition Chipping Norton
CAGs organise swap shops throughout the year where residents can bring unwanted, but usable household items to swap and bring electrical items for safety testing so that they can be swapped for reuse. Most CAGs also promote carbon reduction and raise awareness of climate change.
If you are interested in setting up a CAG call 01865 815871 or visit CAG Oxfordshire.
Streetbank
Streetbank is a site for lending or giving away items and sharing skills with people in your neighbourhood.
To join, all you need to do is offer one item or skill to share with anyone who lives within a mile of your home. To sign up and start sharing go to the Streetbank website.