The Communities of Practice in Adult Social Care (CoPs) bring together staff and volunteers who support adults in the community. They are a forum for people working directly with and in communities to share knowledge and experience and to support and learn from each other. Â
Members come from across the community and voluntary sector, local councils, primary care, housing, and other not-for-profit organisations.Â
We meet every other month, usually on Zoom with one in-person meeting a year. There’s no obligation to attend every meeting; come along when the theme is of interest, you have updates to share, or have a question or problem which other members might be able to help with.Â
Our members are people who provide support, care and advice to over-18s in the community. This is a place for practitioners, rather than senior management and CEOs.Â
We bring together social prescribers, community connectors and wellbeing workers, social workers, occupational therapists, care coordinators, community engagement staff, advice workers, resident support staff, and support workers. As well as local councils and primary care, our members come from a range of non-profit and community groups including mental and physical health charities, housing associations, community fridges and larders, advice centres, and groups working with older people, with refugees, and with people with physical and learning disabilities. Â
Each meeting has a speaker and theme. We have a broad mix of topics so there is something for everyone, whichever sector you work in. Speakers come from both local and national organisations.Â
We also make time to connect with each other, share news and challenges, celebrate our successes, and ask for help.Â
Alongside our local groups, we also offer occasional free training and webinars which are open to members of all six groups. Â
Our six groups are:Â Â
Third Tuesday of every other month
 2pm-3.15pm
First Thursday of every other month
2pm-3.15pm
Fourth Wednesday of every other month
11am-12.15pm
Third Thursday of every other month
10am-11.15am
First Wednesday of every other month
11am-12.15pm
Third Tuesday of every other month
10am-11.15am
Of course, we know that people live, work and volunteer across districts and areas, so feel free to join whichever group – or groups – makes most sense to you.Â
The CoPs are funded by Oxfordshire County Council’s Adult Social Care team as part of the Oxfordshire Way and are facilitated by OCVA as an independent organisation not involved in service delivery.