An appeal has been issued for volunteers to help their communities understand flood risks and responsibilities by becoming flood wardens.

Oxfordshire County Council has extended its flood warden scheme to cover the whole county following successful pilot projects in Witney, Ascott-under-Wychwood, Abingdon and Sunningwell.

There is no set number of hours required, and flood wardens can volunteer according to their own schedule.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, said: “Flood wardens are our eyes and ears on the ground and report things liked blocked ditches and drains so that we can resolve these issues before a flood event can occur. As extreme weather becomes a more common occurrence, their role becomes so much more important.

“We are so grateful to all the county’s volunteers, whose hard work and local knowledge does so much to keep their communities safe. I would like to thank our existing flood wardens for their efforts and invite more people to join them in improving the situation in the places where they live.”

Flood wardens are members of the local community. They can be individuals, representatives of the parish council or existing community resilience volunteers, highway wardens or police volunteers.

William Wareing, Chairman and Trustee of the Witney Flood Group, has been a flood warden since April 2023 and is the coordinator of the town’s seven-strong flood wardens group.

Mr Wareing said: “My home was flooded in 2007 and 2020. Although I have since moved to a safer location, I feel passionate about making a difference to others who are unable to move out of the high flood risk zone.

“I wanted us to establish a flood warden community through our involvement in the joint risk management agencies’ working party that formed after the 2020 floods. This is very closely tied with our charity, the Witney Flood Group, which was also formed after the 2020 floods, to help us build a community, support and educate, and make a difference to the conditions locally.

“Ultimately the flood wardens project is another piece of the puzzle in the solutions we seek to reduce the risk of flooding in the area.”

The council will support flood wardens in their role and provide the necessary training. All flood wardens undergo an informal one-hour call prior to signing the agreement to help them understand the role in more detail.

Mr Wareing added: “We engage with the community, report issues to the responsible authorities and create community emergency flood plans and keep in touch with each other and support each other. My role involves coordinating our wardens, increasing their knowledge and expertise, and making sure that specific high risk locations are the priority, and making them known to the community.

“Our flood wardens attend public events, learn about river management, hold conversations with both the responsible authorities and our residents and business owners. We held two public events in September, conducted a full survey of the River Windrush with evidence of photos, locations and identified any poor levels of maintenance we want to see improved.

“We plan to engage directly with riparian landowners next to encourage them to improve maintenance standards on land they own adjacent to a watercourse. We can also help them directly with light maintenance work and are set up for that now.

“Becoming a flood warden is about building a community, helping each other, representing and supporting those less fortunate or able to, and raising awareness of the flood risk issues we face across Oxfordshire,” he said.

“In our experience so far, people at risk of flooding are the strongest contenders for becoming flood wardens, as well as those with experience or interest in the subject.”

Anyone wanting to become a flood warden can read more and sign up through the county council’s Oxfordshire flood toolkit.

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Oxfordshire County Council is awarding the grants, ranging from £500 to £36,000, to fund new routes and services, vehicle running costs, and drivers’ expenses.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “Oxfordshire’s community transport sector is a lifeline to many people who don’t drive or don’t have a car.

“The grants will make a big difference to all four organisations and help them to continue the great work they are doing. We are extremely grateful for all the work they and other community transport groups do to make life easier for residents.”

The recipients, who will receive their grants over between one and five years to support continuation of their schemes are Daybreak Oxford, Thame Senior Friendship Centre, Filkins & Broughton Poggs volunteer doctor and hospital car service, and Wallingford Town Council.

The Wallingford project, in association with Going Forward Buses, is already in operation, with the new 131 town bus service going live from 1 September.

Daybreak Oxford, which transports people with dementia to and from day centres and takes the older population on shopping trips, received £25,072 to provide new provision in areas of the city not previously served.

Community transport is part of the voluntary sector and plays a key role in filling gaps in service where public transport is not available. It helps provide safe, accessible, cost effective, flexible transport run by the community for the community in rural and urban areas.

Community transport can include car clubs, community minibuses, dial-a-ride, lift shares, taxi shares and voluntary car schemes.

Some groups offer services just for their members, while others are open to the public. They can take disabled people to work, children to school, sick people to healthcare and older people to the shops. Some run local bus routes and provide transport for a wide range of clubs and other groups.

Last month, the Villager Community Bus Services unveiled a new electric minibus, which was part funded by £50,000 awarded in 2024’s round of grants.

It runs the Chippy Shuttle, an hourly, weekday service connecting residential areas in Chipping Norton with town centre shops, services and the out of town health centre.

It has been running for nine years and provides an essential service for residents who have mobility problems and no access to their own transport. The new electric minibus replaces its previous diesel vehicle.

Keith Gowing, Chairman of the Villager Community Bus Services, said: “Our new battery powered bus enables us to continue providing the shuttle service to our many loyal customers whilst reducing our impact on the environment in terms of reduced carbon emissions, air pollution and vehicle noise.

“We could not have afforded this without the help of Oxfordshire County Council.”

The council supports the development of not for profit community transport groups and services.

Small start-up grants to help groups in their development are available, while the council can also help with the cost of training volunteers as minibus and passenger assistants.

More information is available on Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

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Now, this National Volunteers’ Week, the National Management Trainee at Oxfordshire County Council is keen to encourage others to try volunteering.

Volunteers’ Week takes place from 2 - 8 June this year, and the county council is joining thousands of charities and voluntary organisations recognising the contribution volunteers make across the UK, including Brianna.

The 24 year old’s journey began when she decided to give back to her new community. She said: “I had recently moved to Oxford from the north west and wanted to take advantage of the council’s volunteer policy and get involved in my local community, with a new challenge outside of work.”

She decided to work with the charity Jacari, which pairs individuals within Oxford with local schoolchildren from refugee, asylum seeking and migrant communities who need help with their English language skills.

“Jacari jumped out to me because of how positive and friendly they seemed, how it would fit in with my work commitments, and coming from a family of teachers I thought I would try my hand at teaching as a new challenge which was very different to the kind of work I engage in day to day.”

Brianna began work with the charity in February 2024 and has tutored two students at two local schools.

She explained: “My role is to provide one-on-one informal tutoring sessions through conversation, games, reading, writing and listening to help improve students’ academic and social English language skills. These sessions are tailored to each individual student’s needs.

“For me it’s a wonderful way to refresh and refocus midweek and be energised by young people who are excited to learn and develop. In my time so far at the council I have focused on the experiences of refugees and asylum seekers in my work, and these sessions help to put that work into a sharper personal perspective.

“My experience has been really positive – with the students, the organisation and with other volunteers. I couldn’t recommend it enough.”

Councillor Kate Gregory, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Inequalities, said: "Voluntary work provides an excellent opportunity for people to engage with and contribute to their communities. It also allows individuals to connect with many interesting people they might not have otherwise encountered.

“Brianna deserves tremendous praise for her efforts, and I am sure that she has made a real difference to the young people she has supported.

“As a council, we take pride in supporting our employees, and we are proud to offer two days’ paid leave for colleagues who wish to volunteer within their communities.”

Volunteers’ Week is led by the UK Volunteering Forum, a partnership between Volunteer Scotland, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) and Volunteer Now in Northern Ireland. Visit the Volunteers' Week website to find out more.

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Goring resident Jacqui Gray, right, has spent over ten years now volunteering with at her local library through various roles.

Now this National Volunteers week, she is sharing her story to inspire others to take up voluntary work.

Jacqui, 57, began her journey with a simple love for books. She initially started as a library volunteer, shelving books and assisting visitors. Over time, her passion and commitment led to her becoming more and more involved.

“I just love books – I absolutely adore reading, and I couldn’t think of anything better than to be in an environment where I was surrounded by them and talking to people about them!

“So, I became a volunteer, helping with shelving books and answering questions.

“After a while, I then got onto the committee of the Friends of Goring Library, and when our then chair became the library manager I stepped up to become the chair, which is also a voluntary role.”

Throughout the years Jacqui has discovered volunteering extends to organising community events and providing support to residents.

“Ten years ago, I would have thought volunteering in a library is  all about books.. But, once I started to get involved, I realised it was so much more than that.

“We’ve always got events on, and people coming in for help and advice. Volunteering is also about engaging with people in the community who might not have realised what they can get from a library. It’s a community hub really.

“There’s always the next big thing to look towards too. We’ve recently had a library refurbishment, and now we’re planning a library garden.”

The social element of volunteering is also a great reward for Jacqui as much as helping her local community..

“I've got to meet many local people that I might not have otherwise come across.

“When I go into the village, there's a lot of people of all different age groups that I can talk to and that I know, and it really has helped me feel part of the community myself.”

Whatever the kind of voluntary work it is, Jacqui is now keen to encourage others to get involved too.

“You're helping the community, you're helping other people, and it gives you something as well. If you are just at a bit of a loose end or you're looking to broaden your horizons, then going to volunteer is a fantastic thing to do.

"When I started off with the library, I was only doing a couple of hours every other week, so you can commit as little or as much time as you can – most people are just really pleased you’re able to help.”

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “Jacqui’s story is a powerful example of how volunteering can enrich both the volunteer and the community. Her dedication and enthusiasm have made Goring Library a vibrant and welcoming place.

“If you're inspired by her story, do consider volunteering. Whether you have a few hours to spare or can commit more time, your contribution can make a difference. Join the community of volunteers and experience the rewards of giving back.”

Jacqui is Chair of the Friends of Goring Library, which is a registered charity and provides outreach in the community, raises funds to pay for staffing on alternate Saturdays and Thursdays, and also provides extra funds for books and events at the library.

The charity has also supported the library service during its refurbishment last year and is supporting the library garden development.

Find out more about Oxfordshire County Council’s library service by visiting oxfordshire.gov.uk/libraries

Volunteers’ Week is led by the UK Volunteering Forum, a partnership between Volunteer Scotland, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) and Volunteer Now in Northern Ireland. Visit the Volunteers' Week website to find out more.

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But for Dawn and Anup, it’s not always so simple. Living with a learning disability can make certain events inaccessible or daunting to go to on their own.

That’s where My Life My Choice’s Gig Buddies programme makes a real difference. Set up with financial support from Oxfordshire County Council and now funded through the National Lottery, the scheme matches up people with learning disabilities with other people who enjoy the same things, to experience events together.

This Volunteers Week (2 - 8 June), My Life My Choice is looking for more people to join Gig Buddies, to enable people like Dawn and Anup, to get out and enjoy all that Oxfordshire has to offer.

Dawn is a Consultant with My Life My Choice and said: “I just think it’s good to go out and enjoy yourself. Because people with learning disabilities and autism don’t always get out very much. So, it’s really good that Gig Buddies can help them get out and socialise.

“It’s so easy to volunteer with Gig Buddies. We match up people who like the same things, from going to the cinema to ten pin bowling. It only takes a few hours a month, doing something you’d already be doing. Just instead of going by yourself, it’s more fun because you have someone to go with!”

My Life My Choice provides independent support for people with learning disabilities in Oxfordshire. The charity offers guidance on self-advocacy, enabling people with learning disabilities to share their voice on important issues relating to them and the wider community.

The organisation is governed by people living with learning disabilities, resulting in programmes like Gig Buddies being developed, which make a genuine difference to their members’ lives.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: "My Life My Choice empowers adults with learning disabilities to live happily and independently, giving them a platform to share their voice and achieve their ambitions.

“The Gig Buddies programme is the perfect example of our Oxfordshire Way in action, enabling people with additional needs to live life their way, being active members of their communities and reducing the need for more formal care.”

My Life My Choice is now looking for more people to join their Gig Buddies programme, to enjoy events and occasions with their members. More information about volunteering can be found on the charity’s webpages.

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Oxfordshire County Council is awarding the grants, ranging from £2,730 to £21,000, to fund drivers, operating costs, recruiting and training volunteers and promotion.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “Oxfordshire’s community transport sector is a lifeline to many people. The grants will make a big difference to all nine organisations and help them to continue the fantastic work they are doing.”

The recipients, who will receive their grants over two years to support continuation of their schemes are the Volunteer Driver Service, covering north Oxfordshire; OurBus Bartons; Vale Community Impact; Cholsey Volunteers; West Oxfordshire’s Volunteer Link-Up; Didcot Volunteer Drivers; Yarnton Care Committee; Wallingford Volunteer Drivers; and Weston-on-the-Green Parish Council.

OurBus Bartons, which serves the Bartons and its surrounding areas, received £20,000 to help promote its services, including its new electric vehicles, which were paid for by the National Lottery Community Fund.

Richard Brown, Chair of Trustees of OurBus Bartons, said: “We are delighted to receive this grant as it will allow us to maximise the way in which we will use our new electric buses as they settle into service.

“We are one of the first community transport operators to use electric buses on timetabled services. We won a national UK Bus Award for our innovative approach working with our community.

“These buses are supporting our services from Middle Barton to surrounding towns, our commuter services to Heyford Station and to Steeple Aston, to connect to the Stagecoach services to Oxford and Banbury. The difference in the quality of the ride and the level of sound is appreciated by all our passengers.” 

Community transport is part of the voluntary sector and plays a key role in filling gaps in service where public transport is not available. It helps provide safe, accessible, cost-effective, flexible transport run by the community for the community in rural and urban areas.

Community transport can include car clubs, community minibuses, dial-a-ride, lift shares, taxi shares and voluntary car schemes.

Some groups offer services just for their members, while others are open to the public. They can take disabled people to work, children to school, sick people to healthcare and older people to the shops. Some run local bus routes and provide transport for a wide range of clubs and other groups.

The council supports the development of not for profit community transport groups and services.

Small start-up grants to help groups in their development are available, while the council can also help with the cost of training volunteers as minibus and passenger assistants.

More information is available on Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

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Four parish councillors are the latest recruits helping to fix problems on the county’s roads more quickly.

The Kidlington parish council volunteers received their training – and cans of spray paint to mark up defects – from Oxfordshire County Council last month to become Fix My Street ‘super users’.

They are among about 150 super users across the county trained to inspect potholes, blocked drains and damaged kerbing since the pilot scheme started in 2019. And the search is on for more.

All residents are encouraged to report road or street problems on Fix My Street, which can be found on Oxfordshire County Council’s website. But super users can sometimes fast-track the process instances by ordering the defect repairs directly with our contractor.

Councillor Lesley McLean, Leader of Kidlington Parish Council, said: “Enrolling as Fix My Street super users is an ideal way of increasing community involvement in areas that will improve our village. There is huge public interest in fixing potholes and unblocking drains, and now our members can use their local knowledge and contacts to target the county council’s resources where they are needed most.

“Our residents can be reassured that the report they make on Fix My Street will be prioritised through local super users, where the criteria is met. We look forward to getting stuck in with our spray cans and doing our bit to make our roads safer.”

The super user volunteers are only expected to cover their local area on mainly residential or quieter roads, not A-roads, and only when it is safe to do so. All equipment and training is provided.

Although county council highways officers inspect their areas regularly, additional help from local people increases the number of defects that can be repaired and makes the process more efficient.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “I am constantly in awe of the work that volunteers do in our county, and I am incredibly grateful for the time and effort the Fix My Street super users put in to make our highways teams aware of problems on the roads.

“Their local knowledge, enthusiasm and hard work are helping us to resolve potholes, kerbing and drainage issues more quickly and efficiently. I would like to thank them for their efforts and invite more people to join them in improving the situation on the streets where they live.”

Any residents or organisations wanting to become Fix My Street super users should email volunteercoordinationteam@Oxfordshire.gov.uk for more information.

The Fix My Street super users are among the initiatives that form part of the county council’s Oxfordshire Together (OXTOG) programme of volunteers.

Other volunteering opportunities include road sign cleaning, maintaining public rights of way, school crossing patrols, managing salt bins, providing community transport, or joining one of the county’s more than 100 community action groups.

Details about OXTOG are available on Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

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Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Adult Social Care, Stephen Chandler, has paid tribute to Oxfordshire residents for their generous efforts in helping to support those who needed it the most throughout the county during lockdown.

More than 15,000 of people stepped up to offer support to those who needed it most across the county during lockdown in many ways, from delivering prescriptions and groceries to those shielding or in financial difficulty, to providing support online or on the phone.

Stephen Chandler said: “We should pay credit to our community resilience across Oxfordshire during these difficult times. As we head into the winter months, which we know will bring about more challenges, let's not lose this momentum. Let’s make ‘taking care of each other’ our new way of being beyond the pandemic.”

“Volunteers come many different backgrounds, from individuals helping neighbours or relatives, to more large-scale organised groups, but we would not have been able to do any of this without everyone pulling together as one. It is thanks to the generosity and resilience of all of us that we have been able to support residents in so many ways, from providing them with care and support, to ensuring that they receive medication and groceries, have dogs walked, or just a friendly chat when needed.”

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of everyone, including voluntary groups, public services, businesses, and charities, so many Oxfordshire residents seen a real difference during a particularly difficult time. Here are some of those stories.

Emily’s story

Emily* is one of those vulnerable people who was helped by the army of volunteers and organisations. Back in May had been shielding due to illness, and subsequently found herself in hardship with Covid-19 symptoms.

Emily contacted South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Council’s Community Support Hub to request help with shopping and medicine, and to receive a friendly call in this difficult time. To assist her, the Hub worked in partnership with two local support groups, Farringdon Viral Kindness and The Place, and with the local food bank.

Council staff began delivering regular food parcels, while local groups arranged collections and deliveries of medicine, and provided Emily with a fridge-freezer and a bed. She has also been receiving weekly calls from volunteers, whom have sent her useful information and contacts to help her manage housing and finances.

Emily could not be more thankful to all the agencies that have been helping her and her family during the Covid-19 emergency, and was keen to relay her appreciation for everyone’s hard work;

Joseph’s Story

Joseph* was referred has been referred to South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Council’s Community Support Hub’s helpline by his son as he speaks very little English.

Joseph’s son was helping his dad with food shopping, but he could not help him any longer, leaving Joseph in urgent need of food. The Community Support Hub’s contact centre tried to get in contact with him to help but had been struggling as he was not confident speaking over the phone.

However, North Hinksey Parish Council were able to send over a volunteer to his home to check on him, and the volunteer could then speak over the phone with Joseph’s son and arrange for support.

As a result, staff working at the Hub delivered an urgent food parcel to Joseph, while North Hinksey Parish Council were able to support him with food deliveries in the long-term.

*Names have been changed

Sometimes an opportunity comes up when you least expect it and for Samantha, that happened one day when walking home as she spotted the Restore offices in Oxford.

She said: "I had been looking for an administrative volunteering opportunity and as I passed the offices one day, I thought I would pop in and see what was available". Soon after Samantha became a part of the team at Manzil Way.

Restore is an Oxfordshire based mental health charity, supporting people to take control of their recovery, develop skills and lead meaningful lives. As a volunteer receptionist and administrator, Samantha gets to speak and work alongside a whole range of people and enjoys every aspect of it.

She said: "I have learned new skills, networked with other agencies and developed my teamwork skills, as well as making new friendships along the way."

The experience Samantha has gained during her time volunteering, which includes bookkeeping, has built her self-esteem and contributed to her CV ‘

Samantha added: "I can demonstrate the different skills I have developed during my time at Restore, it has given me such confidence that I now know my unseen disability does not define me, my hard work does.’

If you find yourself stumbling across an opportunity on your way home, and are wondering whether you should pop in like Samantha, her advice to you is simpe: ‘DO IT! Pass on your knowledge, wisdom and skills – it has been the best life decision I have made."

For more information about Restore, please visit restore.org.uk

In 2018, Banbury Community Fridge at the Merton Street mosque officially opened, and has been serving the whole community since, by accepting surplus food from local businesses which is then freely available to everyone.

Getting food to the Community Fridge from local supermarkets and businesses, as well as keeping it clean and tidy, requires the support of volunteers, and after seeing Facebook posts asking for help, Kate decided to get involved.

She said: "I live locally and think it’s a brilliant project which supports the local community and the environment’ It's ‘a win-win project which also shows the kindness of the community."

Before Covid-19, Kate would visit the fridge on a Monday morning but recently has taken on a new role. She explained: "I have been able to help with collection of excess food from supermarkets and delivery of food parcels to vulnerable people, which has been up to three times per week."

As well as providing support, volunteers sometimes find they need to be supported too, and in Kate’s case, family members have got on board to help.

Kate added: "My son has helped me by being my navigator, which has meant doing something together whilst showing him first-hand the benefits of being able to give time."

Enthusiasm and passion for volunteering has been vital over the past few weeks, with 1000s of people coming forward to volunteer and as Kate reflects: "I think it’s a great time to volunteer as we can see there are many ways to contribute which help others and ourselves."

For residents who live locally, the Community Fridge has no restrictions on who can take surplus food and by doing so you too can support the environment, as Kate says ‘by us taking an hour out of the day we have helped re-route food to people in need which would have otherwise gone in the bin.’

Visit the Banbury Community Fridge Facebook page for more information.

Didcot Volunteer Drivers (DVD) help people attend doctors, dentists and other health appointments, as well as helping people visit family members in hospital.

Margaret said: "You can give as much or as little time as you wish. The DVD office volunteer will ring and ask if you are free to take a client to a hospital/doctor’s appointment on a certain day. You can accept or decline depending on your free time; some drivers like to have a drive every day and others just occasionally."

People choose to get involved with a local initiative for any number of reasons. Margaret said: "It was an ideal way to get to know your neighbourhood" which is especially helpful when you’ve moved to a new area, as Margaret had.

Over the past few months, local community groups have had to adapt to continue providing support, and despite all but essential medical appointments being cancelled, people have still needed help getting to appointments to have dressings changed or received ongoing cancer treatment which is where DVD have been able to support as usual, as well as providing extra help to get essential shopping and prescriptions.

There are so many benefits to volunteering, as Margaret says: "People don’t realise how much pleasure a volunteer gets in return for their help. I like driving and meeting people, it’s so interesting hearing about their lives, their families and their “health” adventures."

If Margaret’s story sounds like something you’d like to get involved in, Didcot Volunteer Drivers would love to hear from you:

Tel: 01235 816709

Email: info@didcotvolunteerdrivers.org.uk

Web: www.didcotvolunteerdrivers.org.uk

Derek started volunteering as a means of giving back ot the community. He said: "It was a means of helping people and was a way to do something totally different after I retired.

He was introduced by a friend to My Life My Choice (MLMC) a self-advocacy organisation providing independent support for people with learning disabilities in Oxfordshire, They have a number of volunteers to help local residents take control of their own lives and “Power Up”

Derek quickly became impressed with their work and mission and put his name forward to volunteer. He said: "Time commitment varies from week to week as it depends on what activities have been organised’.

MLMC have a number of projects, and Derek volunteers as a Gig Buddy and is paired with a resident from Abingdon, which is done by mutual interests.

He said: "Before the past few months we would meet once a week to do a variety of things, such as visiting local museums, going for walks or out for lunch. Despite coronavirus putting a stop to all activities, we video call every day but hopefully we will meet up again soon’.

Anyone can be a Gig Buddies volunteer, so if you would like to get involved like Derek, or if you want to learn more about My Life My Choice, you can find out more information here.

From Monday 01 June 2020, vulnerable people will be allowed to go out with members of their household while maintaining social distancing. Those living alone can meet with someone from another household while maintaining social distancing. 

The county council, in partnership with district councils, the NHS, the voluntary sector and friends, neighbours and family in every community are collaboratively working hard to support those who registered as shielded. This begun for the Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) customer service team in March 2020.

Calls from the Customer Service team

When the pandemic begun it was clear our residents would require support with immediate needs including social care, safety concerns, urgent food requests and help with collecting medication. A shielded phone line was created so inbound calls could be received by the Social and Health Care Customer Service team to answer questions from callers. The team receive between 50 and a 100 calls a day with over 11,000 pro-active outbound calls having been made, to date.

Myra Evans is the Operations Manager for the Customer Service Centre: ‘the shielded phone line is a clear route into the council for those identifying as ‘shielded’ and it allows vulnerable people to have their enquiry dealt with quickly. Helping people who identify as shielded has given the team a sense of doing something worthwhile that will make a positive difference in these unusual times.’

Welfare calls are arranged with our most vulnerable residents to make sure people are safe and well and have everything they need. The inbound and outbound pro-active calls to people on the shielded list are made by a group of 15-20 Customer Service Advisers (CSAs) in the Customer Service Centre (CSC), supported by a group of trained library colleagues.

In some circumstances the team will seek support from other teams including hospitals, GPs, adult and children’s social care teams to ensure we contact everyone on the shielded list. This ensures the most vulnerable people in our county have any urgent needs identified and resolved as quickly as possible.

Here are some examples of how the shielded phone line and welfare calls make a difference:

• A customer service team member called a shielded resident who was identified as needing support. The only information we had was that this family had four young children, were under pressure and struggling to cope. We asked how they were coping and what they needed. Within 24 hours the resident had called us back to say they had received a parcel with food, sanitary items and everything else they needed and more. They were extremely grateful.
• A lady we contacted was extremely grateful for the welfare call. She didn't need anything at the time but couldn't thank our officer enough for checking on her. She was so impressed by the amount of support that had become available and she took the Shielding phone number in case she needed anything in the future.
• A lady was called, and she explained her fire alarms were not working and there was a risk as she is on oxygen. We immediately arranged for someone to call her back from our Social and Health Care Team to discuss this need and arranged a visit from our Fire and Rescue Service while observing social distancing.

Cllr Ian Corkin is the Cabinet Member for Council Business & Partnerships said: “As the impact of the pandemic became urgent, we were able to create this phone line to step up and respond to the needs of our residents. We are reassured people are safe because we are contacting them regularly. The council is working as a broker to support people with help from the City and District councils and we have a huge army of volunteers to help individuals in villages and towns. It’s been an incredible operation and effort and I would like to thank everyone involved!”

An army of kind volunteers

The local voluntary and community sector is a simple point of contact for those who have different and important needs to ensure they are not isolated. Voluntary group Oxfordshire All In (OAI) has a team of 45 active members who are part-time volunteers (some are on secondment from other charities). The network of volunteers has a remit of assisting 500 volunteer-based Community Support Groups (CSGs) across the county with information and resources. This ranges from the large towns where groups can have 1000s of volunteers to small street-based neighbourhood groups, of three or four people.

Meanwhile, Oxford Hub staff are working in collaboration with Oxford City Council and OCC to deliver Oxford Together, their volunteer programme that provides support to people in Oxford City. With 5500+ volunteer sign-ups, Oxford Together volunteers provide support in a practical or social way.

Where to get support:

• The dedicated shielded phone line is available to anyone who has been identified as clinically extremely vulnerable and is worried and needs support. The team will be able to offer advice on a range of issues when you contact them on 01865 89 78 20 or email shield@oxfordshire.gov.uk. Effective from Saturday (30^th May) the opening hours will be 9am-6pm Monday to Friday and 10am-2pm on Saturday. Closed on Sunday.
• If you live in Oxford City, you can also phone 01865 24 98 11 between 8am and 5pm or visit www.oxford.gov.uk/CommunityAssistance
• For those residents who are not in a high-risk category but still in need of local community and voluntary support, there are several initiatives taking place across the county. Visit Oxfordshire All In or Oxford Together for more information on community support near you.

We know this long term restriction may cause additional concerns for those without any nearby support and we want to make sure any shielded resident, who doesn’t know where to turn, are not handling these additional worries alone.

Local authorities across Oxfordshire have worked with the local Voluntary and Community Sector, to develop a simple point of contact for those who have been told by government that they have been identified as extremely vulnerable, and who have no support network and would otherwise be completely isolated.

This new, dedicated line provides our extremely vulnerable residents access to a central team who will be able to offer advice on a range of issues.

The shield phone line opening hours will be: 9am-6pm Monday to Friday and 10am-2pm on Saturday. Closed on Sunday. (This is effective from Saturday 30^th May),

If you or someone you know has been identified as extremely vulnerable by the NHS and have no support network, please contact the dedicated team on 01865 89 78 20 or email shield@oxfordshire.gov.uk. If you live in Oxford City, you can also phone 01865 24 98 11 between 8am and 5pm or visit www.oxford.gov.uk/CommunityAssistance

For those residents who are not in a high risk category but still in need of support, there are a number of initiatives taking place across the county. You can visit Oxfordshire All In or Oxford Together for more information on community support near you.

Councillor Ian Corkin spoke to BBC Radio Oxford about the shielding phone line and the difference it makes to our residents. Listen to the inserted audio in this article.

The County, City and District Councils in Oxfordshire are all working hard to maintain frontline council services, so for any queries related to every day council service please check out the County, City or relevant District website.

For more advice and information on Covid-19, please visit Public Health England.

In order to celebrate and support the enthusiasm and passion of the local voluntary and community sector, Oxfordshire has united to support the initiatives of Oxfordshire All In and Oxford Together.

We recognise that many of you who can would like to support your local communities and these sites can help coordinate your efforts – whether that’s delivering essentials, putting the bins out for someone, or being on the other end of a phone, there are hundreds of opportunities available across Oxfordshire for you to get involved and these organisations will be a central point of information for you.

To ensure that residents know where to turn, all community groups, community organisations and local businesses are being asked to include details of their initiatives on the Oxfordshire All In Response Map. If you have linked with your District or the City Council already – please do not worry we will make the link. Let’s maximise your ability to spend the time helping our communities.

If you live in Vale of White Horse, South Oxfordshire, West Oxfordshire or Cherwell then please visit Oxfordshire All In who have details on all opportunities across Oxfordshire.

To volunteer in Oxford City, please register your details at Oxford Together

We thank you for your incredible efforts so far and we know that together we can help support each other and keep our communities thriving through these difficult times, however please ensure you continue following government advice to stay safe and well.

For more advice and information on Covid-19, please visit Public Health England.

The footpath linking Forest Hill and Stanton St John had found itself in need of some TLC and signage to help keep walkers on the right track.

So, to help put things back as they should be, officers from the Countryside Access team at Oxfordshire County Council, the tenant farmer and the local Ramblers volunteers got together to reopen and sign the legally recorded route of the public right of way.

16 volunteers were on site for around four hours installing four wooden waymarker posts and clearing a path through a woodland strip for 50m. They also litter picked one black bag of rubbish and removed old barbed wire, a mini trampoline and a ladder.

County Councillor Liam Walker, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Highways Delivery and Operations said: “Volunteers play a really important role in keeping Oxfordshire thriving.

“I am really pleased to see the results of the hard work done by the ramblers on this footpath. Hopefully what they have done will keep fellow walkers on the straight and narrow as they pass through this lovely part of the county.

“Public rights of way are really important as they help people to enjoy part of our wonderful county that would otherwise be inaccessible. Because of their legal status, and the placement of things like gates, their true line has to be respected and maintained as has happened here.

“I can’t say, however, whether it will prevent people dumping rubbish and strange things like trampolines, but I hope they will think twice now the area has been spruced up.”

There are an estimated 4,500 voluntary and community organisations in the county and 2,301 registered organisations which represents about around 2% of the national figure of active registered voluntary organisations.

Thriving communities

Volunteering Week takes place between June 1 and June 7 every year – and a special celebration event for the county council’s own volunteers is set to take place on June 7 at the Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, from 3:15-5:30pm to officially pass on gratitude and express admiration for the thriving community spirit and selflessness of Oxfordshire people.

Councillor Mark Gray, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Local Communities, said: “Volunteering is clearly something that is in the genes of Oxfordshire people. It reflects well on our county and shows a thriving and healthy culture. There’s always been a big debate about what should be provided by the state, by the private sector and by the voluntary sector. But regardless of that discussion, what is clear is that the people of Oxfordshire are willing and ready to work hard for their local community and always have been.”

The county council funds Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action, who work closely with Community First Oxfordshire (which was previously known as the Rural Communities Council), Oxfordshire Youth Volunteer Link Up and Volunteer Connect to make sure voluntary and community groups have access to support and information. OCVA puts organisations together to help each other, and matches people wanting to do something meaningful with their free time to opportunities available in organisations right across Oxfordshire in urban and rural communities, whether it’s a one-off or something longer-term. OCVA can be contacted at https://ocva.org.uk/

There are a number of other major representatives within the voluntary sector locally, such as Citizen’s Advice, Age UK and Oxfordshire MIND. There are also a multitude of smaller, local organisations, although some of these are equally active and important in the county. Oxfordshire also hosts some national charities headquarters, such as Oxfam.

Oxfordshire County Council has approximately 3,000 volunteers helping deliver services including in libraries and daytime support facilities.

Reflecting well on the county

Cllr Gray added: “Volunteering is clearly something that goes to the very core of who we are in Oxfordshire and we should definitely be proud of it and sing it from the rooftops. Individually and collectively it is something that reflects incredibly well on us as a county. It’s a part of who we are. Volunteering Week is not the time to discuss the rights and wrongs of what volunteers should and should not do. It is a time to say ‘thank-you’ to volunteers across Oxfordshire who do an amazing job in their communities and make a difference in their communities every day.

“The message should go out loud and clear – thank you to Oxfordshire’s volunteers, you do us proud.”

Miriam Chappell from the OCVA added: "Volunteering is of great benefit to our communities, but what often goes unsaid is the benefit it also has for the individual. Volunteering can be a way to make friends, do something different, and add a fresh routine to your life.

"Volunteering offers you the chance to gain new skills – whether you’re hoping to improve your confidence, develop an interest, or even change career. The wellbeing benefits of volunteering, from increased self-esteem to improved social connections, cannot be overstated."

Do you want to learn more about volunteering in Oxfordshire? There’s a dedicated website to help you do just that. You can find out more at https://oxonvolunteers.org/

If you are new to Oxfordshire’s great outdoors and want to take your first steps into the countryside you can find out more about what’s on offer here: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/public-site/countryside

All you need to do to get started is find a location or footpath you like the look of and give it a go. Spring is a good time to start as the weather and light is improving and, if you really get into it, you will see how the different plants, trees, animals and insects appear as the season progresses.

Keeping it all in good shape

So with nature doing its best to put on a good show there’s always lots of work to be done to keep paths, signs, fences and gates in good order – have you ever wondered who the unseen people were who did all that?

There are around 2,600 miles of public rights of way such as footpaths and bridleways across Oxfordshire with over 2,000 bridges, 6,000 finger posts and 7,000 gates – many of which are looked after by a dedicated band of volunteers who work closely with the county council.

Around 350 volunteers who work all year round to trim back the undergrowth, fix fences and gates and report back to the county council with any problems they can’t deal with themselves.

Good work shows no signs of stopping

In the last year their team has spent around 1,800 hours installing gates, carrying out repairs and clearing paths and their determination to help people to enjoy the countryside unhindered shows no sign of stopping.

Why not join in and help out?

There are several volunteer groups across the county as well as ‘parish path wardens’ in nearly every parish in Oxfordshire, but there is always something to be done and more volunteers are welcome.

Two of the most established groups are the Cotswold Voluntary Wardens who cover the whole of the Cotswolds including the west of our county and the Chiltern Society's South Chilterns Path Maintenance Volunteers (SCPMV) who work across the southern Chilterns, which includes the attractive hilly countryside that encroaches into our county.

To find out if there’s a group near you, and if volunteering could be something you could get into, visit Countryside Access web pages or get in touch

County Councillor Yvonne Constance, Cabinet member for Environment, said: “These people really get stuck into their work and have a genuine love for their local area – when people walk down a path or see a new gate in the countryside they may well be looking at the work of a volunteer.

“We work very closely with groups like the South Chilterns Path Maintenance Volunteers (SCMPV) and make a contribution to their expenses. Our officers meet with them regularly and help them find funding to pay for some of the things that they do.

“The relationship between Oxfordshire County Council and SCMPV is mutually supportive; without SCPMV, we would not be able to provide the quality path network we do, and without the support of county council officers including legal advice, landowner negotiations and practical guidance, it would be increasingly difficult for the volunteers’ efforts to be directed to where they are of most use.

“Quite simply they enhance the resources that the county council has and make a massive contribution to people’s experiences when they go out and about.

“Anyone reading this should take a trip to one of the areas in which the volunteers work and see for themselves what they have done and perhaps consider joining a group themselves.”

There is good work going on all the time to keep things like paths and gates in good order, and here’s the fruits of some recent efforts by South Chilterns Path Maintenance Volunteers on a path that runs from Turners Green in Britwell Salome to Brightwell Upperton.

The pictures show before and after with the weeds having taken a whacking so that walkers get easily get through.

You can find out more about the work being done by volunteers in Oxfordshire here.

Local solutions for open-access provision – such as ‘stay-and-play’ - will complement a comprehensive new service for 0-19-year-olds across Oxfordshire which ensures the most vulnerable children are protected and that families who need extra help are identified at an early stage.

As part of the council’s continuing investment in early intervention, and in addition to the £1m fund, new teams of ‘locality workers’ will advise and support community groups delivering open-access sessions – as well as other universal services such as schools, health and early years providers.

Council-funded open access provision will continue to be offered at the new children and family centres, and other buildings as part of the new 0-19 service from next year.

Specific needs

The council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Families Melinda Tilley said: “We know how much communities value open access services and this funding is designed to help local groups respond to specific needs in local areas and develop the services that are most important to their communities.

“We have already been working with communities for several months to identify local solutions. Positive discussions are taking place at all children’s centre locations currently delivering open access services and significant progress has been made. Across our communities there is huge appetite to make this a success and every reason to believe it will be.”

Grant scheme

The grant scheme is intended to help groups establish themselves in order to become self-financing, and the grant can be used as match-funding to secure other sources of funding.

The council is working with Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA) to support groups with developing business plans. Some schemes are proposed to be managed by schools or parish councils, and others by community groups.

More detail on the application process and funding criteria can be found here.

Edna Malcher, 88, who gets books delivered by the Home Library Service, is urging more people to give up some time to help the scheme grow across the county.

Volunteer today

Life-line

The former library worker said the service was a “life-line” which enabled her to connect with others in the community and share her passion for reading.

Edna, who lives in Banbury, said: “The person who comes to visit is very nice and friendly. I get the bag ready for him to swap and he makes sure that he brings books that I’m interested in or have requested. The main thing is having contact with someone, especially someone so pleasant.

"It’s very important to make a good impression – I’ve seen that from both sides having worked for the library and now using the Home Library Service.

“It’s also a way to connect with people in the local community. I’ve struck up a friendship with a neighbour over our love of books.”

Flexible role

Volunteers can organise drop-off times with the people they deliver to, making the role easy to fit around existing commitments. Expenses are paid and volunteers can do as many or as few journeys as they wish.

Volunteer Alison Baxter from Temple Cowley said: “After I retired I was looking for useful ways to fill my time and chose the Home Library Service because it was something I felt strongly about. I would be devastated if I could no longer access a library and I don’t want that to happen to other people.

“It isn’t a big commitment and can be fitted in easily around the rest of my life. It only takes an hour or so every three weeks. The service is important to the lady I visit because she needs something to occupy her time.

"Big difference"

Rachel McQulliam from Woodstock added: “I decided to volunteer for the Home Library Service because I love reading and choosing books from the library. I imagined what it would be like if couldn’t get to a library anymore and wanted to do something to help those who can’t.

"It’s a small thing that I can fit in easily around work and other commitments but it makes a big difference to the people I visit.”

Sharing stories

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Cultural Services Lorraine Lindsay Gale said: “Volunteers are a friendly face who can stop by once every three weeks to bring customers some new books or CDs and spend some time to share their own stories.

“The Home Library Service brings entertainment, pleasure and human contact to people, where they may otherwise have little or none. But of course it wouldn’t be possible without volunteers. We’d love to hear from anyone interested in making a positive difference to the lives of people in the community who need a bit of extra help.”

Volunteer for the Home Libary Service 

The flagship county council facility offers a wide range of council services and activities, and has attracted more than 2,000 new members since opening in April.

Heralded as a “great example” by Mr Wilson, Bicester exemplifies an emerging identity for Oxfordshire’s libraries as focal points for a broad range of services, help and advice.

The council has also announced plans to grow its Home Library Service so that people with mobility problems who can’t get to a library can have books and other items delivered to their door.

Valuable resource

Mr Wilson, whose portfolio includes responsibility for libraries policy, met with the council’s Cabinet Member for Cultural Services Lorraine Lindsay-Gale to find out more about library services in Oxfordshire and take a look at the new facilities at Bicester.

He said: "Bicester is a great example of how high performing councils are joining up local services under one roof. It was fantastic to meet some of the dedicated staff who make the libraries such a valuable resource for their local community."

Cllr Lindsay-Gale added: “We were delighted to receive Rob Wilson and to have the opportunity to highlight the many success stories associated with our thriving library service.

“Unlike other parts of the country, all 43 of Oxfordshire’s branch libraries have remained open and we want to underline our commitment to libraries by putting them right at the heart of the communities they serve. That means developing a broad range of services, help and advice under one roof, and exploring new ways of linking up with partner organisations, volunteers and community groups to maximise what libraries have to offer.”

Home library service

The council is expanding its Home Library Service, in which staff and volunteers deliver books and other items to the homes of people with mobility problems who are unable to get to a branch library.

Staff and volunteers are a friendly face who stop by once every three weeks to bring customers some new books or CDs and spend some time to share their own stories. For some residents, this is a real lifeline.

More than 130 volunteers have already signed up, with 400 registered users benefiting from the scheme. A countywide recruitment campaign is being rolled out next month to recruit more volunteers and expand the service. Find out more online

Youngsters aged between four and 11 are being urged to join The Big Friendly Read: Summer Reading Challenge which is being delivered in partnership with the author’s literary estate and the Reading Agency to mark 100 years since the birth of the world’s favourite storyteller.

Sign up

All children need to do is sign up at their nearest library and receive a collector’s folder. As children progress through the challenge, reading two books at a time and revisiting the library, they can collect special collector cards.

The cards all feature original Quentin Blake illustrations and explore some of most popular themes in Roald Dahl’s books such as invention, mischief and friendship. When children have collected six cards and read at least 6 books they can claim their medal and certificate of achievement.

Great opportunity

The council’s Cabinet Member for Cultural Services Lorraine Lindsay-Gale said: “Last summer’s reading challenge saw more than 8,000 children taking part countywide and we are hoping this year that even more children and families will get involved. The summer break is a great opportunity for children to discover the joy of reading and find out what their local library has to offer."

Last year more than 150 young volunteers aged 13-24 helped to deliver the challenge and many have already signed up to help this year. More information and application forms can be found at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/libraries

Reading challenge events

A summer programme of events is planned at Oxfordshire libraries including the Science Oxford Big Friendly Library Tour, bringing exciting workshops to sixteen locations. In addition, 10 libraries will be hosting Marvellous Museums events with the Oxford University Museums Service and there will be a range of crafts, author events and more.

Families can also unlock some digital magic on the Big Friendly Read: Summer Reading Challenge website at www.bigfriendlyread.org.uk including the free Summer Reading Challenge App, which this year will include rare recordings of Roald Dahl sharing his writing tips and reading aloud.

Created by Reading Agency sponsor SOLUS, the app will also provide a convenient way to access the Book Sorter, a unique crowd-sourced database of books in user friendly categories that children themselves have rated and added.

In Oxfordshire, at least, where the county council is the country’s biggest local authority provider of the National Citizen Service, the answer is increasingly likely to be a four-week summer scheme aimed at helping young people make a difference in their community.

The county was the very first council to deliver NCS in 2012, when the flagship Coalition Government scheme was first launched by Prime Minister and Oxfordshire MP David Cameron.

Such has been its success in Oxfordshire that over the coming months almost 1,000 15 – 17 year olds from across the county are set to experience the unique blend of social action projects, personal development and outdoor education that the council’s programme has to offer.

As well as being the biggest council provider, Oxfordshire now boasts the fastest growing local scheme of some 360 across the UK, with numbers taking part almost doubling each year (75 students in 2012 has become 980 signed up for 2016).

"Pretty big deal"

Oxfordshire’s programme co-ordinator Ryan Johnson said: “We’re five years in and it’s fair to say the NCS is now a pretty big deal in Oxfordshire. We’ve reached the point where a very significant proportion - close to 10 per cent - of the county’s eligible students are taking part. It’s clear that young people and their families are rightly seeing this both as a unique opportunity for personal and social development as well as a seriously useful addition to the CV.

“There’s a real buzz about what we’re able to offer students here and that’s helped us to continue to attract more participants – and therefore funding to help the scheme grow.”

As a council NCS provider, Oxfordshire is in the minority but local authority status has a number of advantages. Holding schools data for instance, enables the council to promote NCS to all eligible young people in the county, with direct mail-outs inviting thousands of families to apply.

Close links with other council services such as children’s social care, youth offending and disabilities services also makes it easier to engage and recruit more vulnerable young people to take part.

Outdoor centres

As well as its 62-acre Oxford-based outdoor education centre, Hill End, the council has exclusive access to three similar centres outside its borders in Gloucestershire, Devon and South Wales, where many of the NCS activities take place. The summer camp element of the course at Hill End, which features social development workshops, offers a totally different experience from other local programmes restricted to using university halls of residence and a classroom environment.

It all adds up to a unique offer for Oxfordshire young people, which Mr Johnson believes is transforming the lives of those taking part.

He said: “We are seeing many NCS graduates coming back as volunteers and paid staff , which creates a wonderful sense of continuity and is a real source of inspiration for the young people taking part. It also means Oxfordshire’s NCS is able to support the ongoing development of participants.”

“Perhaps the best thing is that in years to come, so many young people who grew up here will be able to reminisce about their time doing NCS, and in many cases, reflect on how their shared experience forged lasting friendships and helped shape their adult lives.”

Bright future

As the scheme continues to grow, new innovations are coming on stream, including an emerging partnership with the Didcot University Technical College, where Year 12 students are taking part in the NCS during term-time as part of their introduction to the Sixth Form. The course has also opened up a position for a digital marketing apprentice as part of the council’s commitment to the apprenticeship agenda.

Mr Johnson added: “As long as we can be successful and continue to attract ongoing funding, we’ll look to offer as many young people as possible the chance to take part in something really special – which is exactly what we believe the NCS in Oxfordshire has become.”

Find out more about the NCS in Oxfordshire

Cabinet members have approved a business case for the Farmoor-based facility to be run by a new charitable organisation, and for the council to continue working alongside site owners Oxford University to bring the project to fruition.

The council has also agreed to provide one-off start-up and transition funding to put the new service model in place.

Commitment

Both the university and the council wish to ensure Hill End continues to provide an excellent outdoor education service for both schoolchildren and the wider Oxfordshire population.

Establishing a charitable company would enable the centre to continue to deliver high quality services and meet ongoing running costs by unlocking new sources of funding.

In the meantime Hill End is open for business as usual and continues to welcome bookings and future reservations from schools and groups.

Consultation

A consultation on the plans received 130 responses, with 89 per cent of people either stating they ‘agreed’ or ‘strongly agreed’ with the idea of setting up a new charitable company taking on the centre.

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Families Melinda Tilley said: “We know how highly Oxfordshire residents value the services provided by Hill End, and both the council and our partners at Oxford University are committed to ensuring schools and other visitor groups continue to benefit from all that the centre has to offer.

“Hill End has a proud history of providing life-enhancing outdoor activities for Oxfordshire’s children, young people and the wider community. We want to ensure this work not only continues, but that there are also opportunities to enhance services in future.”

She added: “Establishing a charitable company or other entity to take on the management of the centre will open up opportunities to access new investment for the centre, and represents the best option to secure its long-term future.”

About Hill End

The Hill End site is owned by Oxford University and has been leased and managed by Oxfordshire County Council since 1974.

The council is currently responsible for investing in Hill End, making repairs to buildings, managing the land and running the outdoor education service there.

Outdoor learning at Hill End includes: education programmes, adult learning, training and workshops, forest school, family events and volunteering opportunities.

Councillor Rodney Rose, deputy leader of Oxfordshire County Council said:  “Passengers describe community transport volunteers as “a fantastic support”, which is why we are appealing for more of these local superheroes to come forward. Volunteer drivers are considered heroic by those they transport. It is clear that giving up a small amount of time can make a really positive difference to individuals within a community. Community transport schemes have for many years been supporting those who, due to age or disability, may find it difficult to get around.”

Each year more than 60 community transport schemes in Oxfordshire play an important role by helping thousands of elderly and disabled people across the county access hospital appointments, collect prescriptions and enjoy social events.

The schemes rely on the support of the 1,300 local volunteers who give up their time for the benefit of their communities, providing 25,000 lifts each year to those who may not have easy access to transport.  As the county’s population ages, demand for community transport is increasing year-on-year and more volunteer drivers are needed.

How much time do volunteers need to give?

Volunteers often use their own cars, are always in control of the time they give and are paid a mileage rate to cover the petrol and running costs of their vehicle. Others drive scheme-owned minibuses, for which full training is given.

Jacqui Oldham who helped to set up Community Transport Scheme, the Didcot Volunteer Centre back in 1987 said: “In the Didcot Volunteer Centre a volunteer can offer as much time as they are prepared to give. Some drivers do only one or two drives a month while others sometimes undertake two a day. The Centre goes to great lengths to ensure good practice and the volunteers are well looked after”.

Wantage Independent Advice Centre Car Scheme co-ordinator, Wendy Watson said: “I always tell my drivers first and foremost that the time they give to the scheme is entirely up to them.”

Giving to your community

Volunteers often get a huge amount of personal satisfaction from volunteering in their community in this way.

Pat Chirgwin, Volunteer Link Up (West Oxfordshire) said:  “I wanted to make a difference in West Oxfordshire, to ensure that those people who needed a little help received help.  And that’s what we do – we ‘link’ people with time to spare with those who need their help.  And when it works, it makes us all feel really satisfied that we have been able to help someone.”

For more information about how to become a volunteer driver or to find out if there are community transport groups in your area, contact the Community First transport team on 01865 883488 or visit www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/volunteerdriver

[i] Amongst other community led initiatives, Community First Oxfordshire helps to develop new community transport schemes and offers on-going advice and support to existing schemes.

It is in the enviable position of being right in the centre of Woodstock and just a minute or two away from Blenheim Palace, meaning that it can easily be included in a great day out.

And, where it scores over other museums, is that its focus on Oxfordshire life is second to none. It also has a café serving tasty snacks that can be eaten in the gardens - but beware of the dinosaurs.

In recent years there has been much talk about the Big Society and local people getting more involved in community life. This is something I believe in and so I’ve taken the plunge.

Volunteering isn’t a new thing. Many charities get so much from the passion and commitment of their volunteers and council services too have for many years been enhanced by local people getting involved.

Time will tell how well I do as a volunteer – I hope I fit in and am able to do just as good a job as the others. I’ll keep you posted on how I get on.

In the meantime, why not go along there yourself? It’s free to get in and, at the moment, there’s a fascinating exhibition about hats and shoes from throughout Oxfordshire’s history.