Charlbury workshop can support more people thanks to council’s connected communities fund
The future is bright for a community workshop in the heart of Charlbury after the centre secured a £2,750 grant through Oxfordshire County Council’s connected communities fund.
The new community hub officially opened in April this year and supports the health and wellbeing of local residents by bringing them together to craft, recycle and repurpose second hand items, giving members a sense of belonging and purpose.
Last year’s council grant has enabled trustees and volunteers from Charlbury community workshop to officially launch the centre and budget for its running costs for the next 12 months.
Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: "Charlbury community workshop is an excellent example of our Oxfordshire Way in action. The centre supports people to live happily and independently within their own communities, helping to prevent ill health brought on through loneliness and inactivity.
“These smaller grants provided through the council’s connected communities fund can have a massive impact when used in such a positive and innovative way and I congratulate the team in Charlbury for all that they have achieved.”
Since opening its doors in April, the workshop has been running three sessions per week for people looking to hone their skills in soft crafts, including fabrics, sewing and crochet, and hard crafts such as woodwork and bench repairs.
The financial stability secured following the successful grant application has enabled the trustees and members to plan for the future, with a focus of extending the workshop’s reach to even more people.
David Court, Chairman of Charlbury Community Workshop, said: “The money we received through the connected communities fund has had a massive impact on getting us to where we are now. We can operate safely and invite even more members of our community to come along and find out what we’re all about.”
While the funding has been provided by Oxfordshire County Council, the connected communities fund is managed by Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA) and Community First Oxfordshire.
OCVA and Community First are experts in the local community and voluntary sector and their grants plus programme not only administers the finances of the connected communities fund but also offers advice and support to help the money go as far as possible.
Laura Price, CEO of Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action, said: “This accessible and flexible approach to funding activity has enabled us to offer bespoke support around the different needs of communities.
“Small amounts of funding can have a huge impact, giving more people more choice about how they can stay healthy, happy and connected across our county. It’s also great to build lasting relationships with groups who might come back to us for help with volunteer recruitment or training needs.”
Emily Lewis-Edwards, co-CEO of Community First Oxfordshire, said: “We thank Oxfordshire County Council for continuing to build the relationship with the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, treating them as an equal partner and trusting their experience and knowledge to place small and accessible funds with community groups and organisations that make a real difference for people in their communities and neighbourhoods.”
“The connected communities fund is a great example of collaboration work at its best.”
Find out more about Charlbury community workshop, including how to get involved, on its website.
More information about the support offered by OCVA and Community First can be found online, and through the Community First webpage.
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