Corporate Social Responsibilty (CSR)
Welcome to this new section of Oxnet. We are developing these pages as a place where companies and voluntary groups can find out about each other and share skills and resources.
You're Hired!
OCVA has appointed Grant Hayward in the role of Local Business Partnership Co-ordinator to build and develop employee volunteering schemes.
Grant's role includes setting up and managing the Skills Based Employer Supported Volunteering project, called inVOLve.
Within the project, he also works closely with local community and voluntary groups to identify relevant opportunities for skills based volunteering.
Free business consultancy support for charities
Oxfordshire-based charities can receive expert financial advice and guidance from top accountancy firm Ernst & Young.
As part of the company's scheme to help their trainee accountants enhance client management skills, they are running a series of two-day workshops that involves charities becoming clients.
The workshops, now in their sixth year, have allowed Ernst & Young to work with over 90 charities and has earned them a National Training Award.
This year they will run 10 workshops and are looking to three charities per workshop, running from August through to January.
The workshops will be held at Milton Hall, Abingdon.
For more information contact: Martin Codrington, MJC Associates, 20 Barnfield Road, London, W5 1QT Tel: 07793 056298
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Join the Robin network on Linkedln by clicking here
Join ROBIN (Responsible Oxfordshire Business Involvement Network) - the Oxfordshire CSR network
We are constantly looking for local businesses to join the growing network in making a difference to Oxfordshire. To find out more email csr@ocva.org.uk
Case studies
Click on the logo's to read about what Oxfordshire businesses have been doing to support their local community, and what it's done for them.
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Charity of the month
A basement room in the centre of Oxford has become famous as a place of safety, soup and sanctuary.
The Gatehouse, who have recently become members of the ROBIN group, offer free simple food - sandwiches, cake, fruit, tea, coffee and soup in the winter for those who need it the most. Most of the people who visit are homeless or badly housed, however, there is no criteria to being accepted.
What the Gatehouse offers is a familiar routine for those on the street with a very unpredictable lifestyle. Other agencies in Oxford provide a whole range of services but the Gatehouse's aim is to offer a friendly, accepting atmosphere with as little aggravation as possible, and all the tea and sympathy they can supply.
The project was started by the churches of central Oxford as a Christmas emergency shelter in 1988 and continues to get a lot of support from them.
As many as 200 volunteers, supported by a small team of permanent staff, help regularly, serving food, chatting with the guests and helping with the washing up.
An average of about 80 guests attend during a two-hour session, but on a busy night this will rise to 100. Generous donations of unsold food are provided by local shops and restaurants.
The charity was named as one of the very first Queen's Golden Jubilee Award winners in 2003 and appeared in the background to the Queen's Christmas Broadcast to the nation that year.
The Gatehouse is open to anyone who is aged over 25 from Tuesdays to Saturdays from 5pm-7pm and Sundays from 3pm-5pm.
Anybody interested in volunteering at The Gatehouse can contact OCVA Volunteer Centre Manager Lindsay Watts at lindsay.watts@ocva.org.uk
To find an organisation near you, use the Search Groups link at the top of the screen.
Resources
Has your company got a meeting room it could lend to a local group? Or are you getting rid of old office furniture or equipment? Let us know and we'll advertise it for you.
Office Space Available
Hampden House, Chalgrove. The office can accommodate between three and seven people.
For more information contact Paul or Chris at Jennings on 01865 893300.
Meeting room in Thame
Business Link have offered the use of a meeting room at their Thame offices.
For more information you can contact them on 01844 210430 or email info@businesslinksolutions.co.uk
Office space available
Deaf direct has office space available to rent at the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre in St Ebbes, Oxford City Centre.
For further information contact Amanda Tillson-Willis at philip@deafdirect.org.uk
Office furniture available
Office desks and chairs available - must be collected from central Abingdon.
For more information call 01235 550553
Resources wanted
Abingdon Anglo German Club are looking for a data laptop and projector for their monthly lectures. Please contact honorary Mrs Mona Bradley on 01235 533 887 or email monabradley@aol.com.
Life Education Centres Thames Valley, a charity that helps children make healthy choices, are looking for help with the towing of their mobile classroom. They need a big vehicle and driver.
The classroom visits primary schools across Oxfordshire and a vehicle such as a Land Rover Discovery (or equivalent) is needed to tow it. Any help will be gratefully recieved, especially in West Oxfordshire.
If you can help contact Ellen at egoodwin_lectv@btinternet.com
AMICE, a charity providing support services to the Ethiopian and Eritrean community in Oxfordshire and Ethiopia.
The charity is looking for a computer (preferably a laptop) and office space for 1-2 days a week that includes a desk, filing cabinet and access to a photocopier.
Contact Woldu Mahary on 07795 424201 or email woldumahary@yahoo.com
My Life My Choice are looking for office furniture (in particular office chairs for backache sufferers!) + business knowledge (HR, IT and marketing). Contact Mark Smyth by emailing office@mylifemychoice.org.uk
Didcot TRAIN youth project are looking for assistance as they refurbish their base. They are hoping for screens or movable partitions to section off their office. Crockery for their staff kitchen. Anybody with decorating skills to help refurbish their offices. Anybody that can help the group should contact TRAIN Volunteer Project Manager Jane Kinniburgh on 01235 519315 or email janehkinniburgh@yahoo.co.uk
Shotover Wildlife are looking for work party assistance from groups of people (6 persons minimum). This can range from one-off days to complete a unit task (good fun in the open air with a serious environmental objective), or something more structured, where several visits could be made to a larger area or project. Email Ivan at irwright@shotover-wildlife.org.uk
Volunteering
Employees who volunteer can develop their skills, raise the profile of their company in the community, and increase their motivation. Download our factsheets below:
Factsheet for CEOs
Factsheet for line managers
Factsheet for employees
Voluntary and community groups in Oxfordshire are looking for board members, IT and HR professionals, treasurers, and marketing specialists. They also need befrienders, advocates, mentors and a host of other roles. You don't have to have a lot of time to spare. Visit our volunteering pages to find what opportunities are out there.
