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Networks and Forums

Our networks cover a wide range of issues. Forums are a way of networking and sharing information, and consortia are sometimes required in bidding for public funds.

Please note that some groups have their own contacts or web links.

Events related to these networks are advertised in Pulse (our news blog and weekly email service).


This page covers:

  • Oxfordshire Stronger Communities Alliance (OSCA)
  • Volunteer Co-ordinators Forum
  • Communities of Practice
  • Responsible Oxfordshire Business Involvement Network (ROBIN)
  • Children and Young People’s Forum (CYPF)
  • Refugee and Asylum Coordination Group (RASCG)
  • Rural Oxfordshire Network (RON)

 

OSCA

Oxfordshire Stronger Communities Alliance is a partnership that represents the interests of the voluntary and community sector in Oxfordshire. It works to ensure that the voluntary and community sector has the support it needs, and is recognised for its contribution to life in the county. It is part of the Oxfordshire Compact.

It brings together voluntary sector support providers, faith groups, and representatives of local councils, the NHS, military and police. It is jointly chaired by a member of the Voluntary sector and the County Councillor Cabinet member for the voluntary sector at Oxfordshire County Council.The members of OSCA include (external links):

Key roles of OSCA

  • Open and two way dialogue to identify and problem solve issues affecting the delivery of public and voluntary sector services and opportunities for social action.
  • Constructive dialogue and challenge in assessing the potential for improved ways of working.
  • The sharing of information and knowledge to identify and promote appropriate collaborative working.
  • Trust in organisations to tackle issues or define appropriate solutions either alone or in partnership.

Terms of Reference of OSCA: Oxfordshire Stronger Communities Alliance ToR

Key contact at OCVA: Laura Price

VOLUNTEER CO-ORDINATORS’ FORUMS

OCVA hold monthly Volunteer Co-ordinators’ forums for people who have responsibility for managing or co-ordinating volunteers in Oxfordshire.

Held on 2nd Thursday of every month from 1-2.30pm via MS Teams.

These sessions are an opportunity to network, look at topics of interest in depth, catch up with new developments, share your news, look at ways we can support each other, and share best practice.

Sign up for Volunteer Coordinators Group

Key contact at OCVA: Jenny Bowley, email vol@ocva.org.uk or call 07812 487894

 

COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE

The Oxfordshire Communities of Practice (CoPs) in Adult Social Care bring together people supporting adults across the statutory, health, and community and voluntary sectors. There are six place-based CoPs across the county, for Abingdon, Banbury, Bicester, Didcot, Oxford City and Witney (and their surrounding areas). 

CoP members are people with hands-on experience in providing care and support to adults in the community. They include social prescribers, link workers, social workers, community nursing teams, occupational therapists and other health workers, advice workers, district and county council staff, and staff and volunteers from a wide range of local charities and community and voluntary groups, including groups working with older people and people with learning disabilities, health charities, community fridges and larders, advice
centres, and many more.
 

We meet once a month on Teams, though there is no obligation to attend
every meeting. 

More information: Communities of Practice

Key contact at OCVA: Clare Woodcock

ROBIN

The Responsible Oxfordshire Business Involvement Network is Oxfordshire’s CSR network. It brings together voluntary, community, charity and social enterprise groups with local businesses keen to engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR); with an unusual emphasis on sharing rather than one-way dialogue. It was a spin-out from OCVA and now runs independently.

Key contact: Grant Hayward. info@robinoxford.org.uk
Website (which links to ROBIN on LinkedIN where most of the online networking takes place for ROBIN)

Children and Young People’s Forum (CYPF)

The Children & Young People’s Forum was initiated in early 2015 and is for all those who work with children and young people in Oxfordshire. The event is organised by  Oxfordshire Youth and focusses on best practice and current issues.
Key contact:
Oxfordshire Youth

Refugee and Asylum Coordination Group (RASCG)

Aims
To establish a Refugee and Asylum Coordination group, of local not for profit, voluntary, community and faith organisations. The group will act as an effective communication and liaison link to the local authority and held shape their response on Refugees and Asylum Seekers. The group will act as a communication link to the not for profit, voluntary and community sector and coordinate voluntary, community and faith group activities.

Objectives
The Coordination Group will:

  • Identify who is best placed to coordinate and lead of different activities related to the Oxfordshire response to refugees and asylum seekers.
  • Act as a focus for improving services for those refugee and asylum seekers who are currently in Oxfordshire.
  • Draw on resources available in the voluntary, community and faith sectors.
  • Identify gaps in services and how these gaps might be met.
  • Promote opportunities for not for profit, volunteering and donating to organisations that support refugees and asylum seekers.
  • Act as a conduit for information and advice to not for profit, voluntary, community and faith groups, who wish to help and support refugees and asylum seekers.
  • Work to provide consistent messages to the public; to dismiss myths regarding refugees and asylum seekers and to encourage public good will and donations.
  • To act as a link between local, regional and national not for profit and voluntary organisations.

Membership
Representatives from the following voluntary, community and faith groups:

It was agreed that housing providers would be represented through existing county and district wide partnerships.

Administration
The administration of the group will be supported by Oxford City Council, who will facilitate and host the meetings. The City Council will act as a link between the Refugee and Asylum Seeker Coordination Group, the Refugee and Asylum Seeker ‘Wider Voluntary , Community and Faith Group and the county wide group which is developing the ‘Local Offer’ and the South East strategic Migration Partnership.

Key contact at OCVA:
admin@ocva.org.uk

Rural Oxfordshire Network (RON)

The Rural Oxfordshire Network began in April 2017 is for those living and working in rural Oxfordshire. The event is organised by OCVA and partners including Community First Oxfordshire, the Diocese of OxfordVolunteer Link Up and the Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils.  This event focusses on reducing rural isolation and promoting mental health wellbeing.

Project Funding:
This project is not funded.

Key contact at OCVA: Laura Price

For more information about any of the Networks and Forums

Email admin@ocva.org.uk or call us on 01865 251946
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