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 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
Terms of Reference of OSCA: Oxfordshire Stronger Communities Alliance ToR
Key contact at OCVA: Laura Price
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
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
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)
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
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:
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
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 Oxford, Volunteer 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