Over the last few years, the voluntary sector has endured a number of challenges and this has been significantly amplified by the disruptive pandemic. So, there is an urgency and opportunity for the sector to innovate and develop new ways of working, together. Recognising this, a number of people from within the voluntary sector across Oxfordshire came together and have, over the past year, been exploring what could be achieved through greater sector collaboration, culminating in the concept of an ‘Oxfordshire Voluntary and Community Sector Alliance’.

These volunteers formed a Steering Group and are senior charity leaders with extensive experience from Restore, Aspire Oxfordshire, Community First Oxfordshire, Oxford Hub, Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action, Oxfordshire Youth, and SOFEA. The group has been engaging with and learning from other successful VCS alliances elsewhere around the country in order to share this and inform the development of the Oxfordshire Alliance. This has now reached the most important stage, which is to engage with the local voluntary sector and other key stakeholders in our communities to seek views and input.

If you want to find out more about this initiative and how to get involved, please contact us on info@oxfordshirevcsa.org.uk