Tuesday, 22 May 2012 - 11:56am
The ROBIN network is supporting the launch of The Experience Tree on Thursday 31 May, 4.30–6.30pm at Morgan Cole, West Way, Oxford, OX2. The Experience Tree is a project of MacIntyre which provides people with learning disabilities in Oxfordshire with meaningful learning experiences. This helps them gain new skills, grow in confidence and partake in a valuable learning. The free event is a great networking opportunity, a chance to see how your organisation can get involved, and you’ll see and hear first-hand accounts of the impacts of this initiative.
Tuesday, 22 May 2012 - 11:54am
OxOnline aims to bring better broadband connections to Oxfordshire, and is supported by all six local authorities. The project aims to help deliver broadband speeds of up to 24Mb to wide areas of the county and bring significant improvements to the rest of Oxfordshire by the end of 2015. It recognises that broadband speed is important with more people using services online, as well as the significant role to play in developing local communities and businesses.
Friday, 18 May 2012 - 1:38pm
Oxfordshire Business and Skills Bureau aims to identify skills gaps and assist local employers to develop or access training to equip their workforce with the skills they need. OCVA is encouraging you to respond to the survey to make sure the skills needs of the Oxfordshire Voluntary Sector are represented in the findings of this survey. Visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/BSBESSN1 to view the survey.
Friday, 18 May 2012 - 1:26pm
Oxfordshire County Council and NHS Joint Commissioning team is consulting on the Oxfordshire Health and Wellbeing Draft Strategy and wants to hear your views. They are holding meetings in Oxford, Banbury, and Abingdon for people who want to hear more and ask questions. Visit http://bit.ly/health-wellbeing-strategy for details of the events and to view the consultation. The consultation ends 30 June.
Wednesday, 16 May 2012 - 4:15pm
Tuesday, 15 May 2012 - 4:09pm
Wheels for All is running cycling sessions for people with disabilities or differing needs in the Oxfordshire area. Adult launch day is happening at Horspath Athletics Track, Oxford on Friday 18 May 10am–2pm and Junior launch day at Springfield School, Witney, is on Saturday 19 May 10.30am–2pm.
Tuesday, 15 May 2012 - 2:40pm
Terrance Higgins Trust and Barclays are offering a free 6 day health promotion course in Oxford aimed at volunteers, community leaders and professionals working with the African community who do not have relevant qualifications. Objectives include improving HIV prevention and health promotion skills and practice amongst health workers who provide sexual health services to African communities. Click to read the course outline and click here to register your interest.
Tuesday, 15 May 2012 - 2:01pm
Oxford and Cherwell Valley College (OCVC) is offering voluntary organisations free community taster sessions and short courses aimed at encouraging and engaging hard to reach people/learners into learning/education in the community or at college sites. Click here for more information or contact Kate Pullen, OCVC Community Development Manager by email KPullen@ocvc.ac.uk or telephone 01865 551805.
Tuesday, 15 May 2012 - 1:57pm
The Public Involvement Network (PIN) will be the main route for the general public and voluntary groups to influence the new Health and Wellbeing Boards. The PIN Steering Group is seeking applications from members of the public to be representatives on the boards for a year. Click here for information about the roles. The closing date is 1 June. Contact Sue Taylor, Engagement Team, Joint Commissioning, Oxfordshire County Council, on 01865 323625 if you have any queries.
Thursday, 10 May 2012 - 4:59pm
Click here to read our latest policy report. Lots of news about the Public Involvement Network, Healthwatch and the Health and Wellbeing Partnership Boards, with opportunities to get involved.
Wednesday, 9 May 2012 - 5:05pm
The Oxfordshire charity and volunteer awards has grown to be a significant event in the local calendar. Read more about it here
Friday, 4 May 2012 - 2:59pm
Thanks to all the people on the OCVA Management Training Course, who gave me the idea for this week's blog! Read it here
Wednesday, 2 May 2012 - 12:29pm
Know of any vulnerable people and families in need of free clothes? Word Fountain Christian Ministries is holding an open clothing event for those in need, in Cowley on Thursday 10 May, 11am to 3pm. Clients will need a referral form from your organisation, which can be obtained by contacting:
Favour: 07727441742
Nkiru: 07834630939
pastor@wordfountain.org
Monday, 30 April 2012 - 1:09pm
OCVA has been tasked with setting up a network of voluntary and community groups to link in with the new Police and Crime Comissioners (PCCs) when they are elected by the general public in November. The network will cover the whole area served by Thames Valley Police and is one of 40 or more networks covering all of the police force areas in England and Wales.
These commissioners will be commissioning services in the future such as drug treatment so there will be opportunities for the voluntary sector to bid for providing these services direct to the PCC.
Friday, 27 April 2012 - 7:07pm
Unlimited, a user led organisation of people living with a physical or a sensory disability, wants your views on a new strategy to meet the needs of people living in the county with a physical disability, written jointly by the County Council and the Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group. Have your say on a draft Joint Physical Disability Strategy for Oxfordshire by 16 May and you can respond by filling in a short online survey.
Friday, 27 April 2012 - 6:42pm
OCCG is currently preparing to take on the responsibility for planning and buying healthcare for Oxfordshire and is seeking to recruit a chair and two lay members to sit on its Governing Body. Visit www.oxnet.org.uk/home/job_vacancies for details.
Friday, 27 April 2012 - 2:52pm
Following on from the OCVA conference on Emerging Health structures, the Public Involvement Network (PIN) will be the main route for the general public and voluntary groups to influence the Health and Wellbeing Board. It will be mainly a virtual network but will nominate representatives to the three partnership boards and invite people and organisations to take part in relevant workshops and discussion that will inform the boards. (For more information about the Health and Wellbeing Board go to www.oxnet.org.uk/research).
Friday, 27 April 2012 - 2:08pm
Big Lottery is calling for people over 50 to help shape an investment that is designed by older people for the benefit of older people and help them decide what to fund. Big wants to invest money in great ideas that will inspire older people most in need to build on their strengths, and make a difference to their lives and their communities.
Further information
View Q&A
Friday, 27 April 2012 - 12:55pm
This summer Creation Theatre Company will run a 'Pay What You Can' ticket system for one performance of The Merchant of Venice on 12 August 2012 at The Said Business School in central Oxford. The initiative seeks to reach and work with community groups, voluntary organisations and people such as NEET's in Oxfordshire. The central idea behind the project is to produce an event that recognises and addresses expanding economic and social divides in Oxfordshire and to begin to create a level of access for those that have traditionally been underserved by the arts.
Wednesday, 25 April 2012 - 11:40am
Alison's blog this week was inspired by a conversation about the role of the Lord Lieutenant and his deputies. Click here to read it.
