Witney Community Meal service brings people together thanks to council’s Connected Communities Fund
A weekly community meal service in Witney, west Oxfordshire, is helping to tackle food poverty and social isolation with support from Oxfordshire County Council’s Connected Communities Fund.
Held every Thursday from 5–6pm at High Street Methodist Church, the Witney Community Meal service offers a warm welcome and a nourishing meal to anyone who needs it - free of charge.
Since its launch in 2023, the initiative has served over 2,000 meals, nourishing individuals while fostering a vital space for connection and support.
A £1,500 Connected Communities Fund grant is helping organisers sustain their weekly sessions, offering a vibrant space for shared meals and meaningful volunteering.
Adam Noble, who helps run the initiative, said: “This funding has been a lifeline. It’s allowed us to keep the doors open and continue offering a space where people can share a meal and feel part of something bigger.”
The weekly meal brings together a diverse mix of people - older residents, adults with additional needs, refugees, carers, and families - creating a truly intergenerational and welcoming environment.
Long tables encourage conversation and relationship-building, turning a simple meal into a powerful community experience.
Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Witney Community Meal service shows how small grants can spark big change.
“It’s about more than just food: it’s about dignity, connection and community resilience.”
The connected communities fund is managed by Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA) and Community First Oxfordshire, who also provide expert advice and support to help groups make the most of their funding.
Laura Price, CEO of OCVA, said: “We’re proud to support projects like this that bring people together in meaningful ways.
“It’s a brilliant example of how targeted funding can strengthen the social fabric of our communities.”
Emily Lewis-Edwards, co-CEO of Community First Oxfordshire, added: “This is what partnership looks like: local groups, councils and support organisations working together to make a real difference in people’s lives.”
Anyone interested in joining the community meal - whether as a diner or a volunteer - is warmly welcomed every Thursday at High Street Methodist Church in Witney.
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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