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Commuting to the office through Port Meadow |
This month's newsletter is jam packed with interesting reports, resources, and opportunities! Start by exploring our new Strategic Plan 2026-9! and having a look at our Membership... Follow by putting dates in your diary for Village Halls Week and Training for Halls on Energy Strategies. You can then read a variety of reports, picking out what you find interesting, from Third Sector Financial Trends, to Neighbourhood Health, to Well Together. If we haven't lost you yet, take a look at our resources and opportunities, with a callout to join Rural Health Research, free Nature and Wellbeing Training, and consultations on National Planning Policy and Community Owned Business. We've also linked some amazing online resource hubs for you to explore. Don't miss out on our thoughts at the end with Staff Reflections on the importance of Data Protection and Being a Villager And finally, some exciting news from our Rural Housing Enablers.
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All of our work “supports Oxfordshire’s people and places to work together and thrive”. The new 2026-9 Strategic Plan sets out the values and principles which underpin and guide our activity, while setting out objectives and priorities for our workstreams for the next three years
Our four main focuses are: Community Infrastructure Health and Wellbeing Truly Affordable Housing Climate and Nature
Take a look at the report below to see how we will be working towards these themes over the upcoming years.
As our Co-CEO Emily says: ‘We’re excited and energised to put this strategy into action, but we know it takes good collaboration with our partners and the communities we work with – that will make the real difference. ’ |
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The start of the year is a great time to renew your membership with us, or have a look at starting one. Take a look on our webpage to find out about the benefits to both you/ your organisation and the community groups we support. |
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Training: Building an Energy Strategy fit for the future for your hall. |
On Thursday February 12 from 7.30pm until 8.30pm with optional discussion until 9pm, Clive Ganczarski from Holton Village Hall will explain the steps he and the hall committee took to creating a long-term energy strategy for their hall. |
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Their strategy is not set in stone but allows for changes along the way, it is a useful guide for the committee refer to and act on while they aim for lower energy bills and a cut in their halls carbon production. |
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Village Halls Week: 16 to 22 March |
Village Halls Week is a great opportunity to celebrate our community halls, and run any workshops. This year, the focus is on the importance of village halls to the health and wellbeing of rural communities. There are many ways to get involved - here are some ideas: |
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Take a look at the ACRE website to find useful resources, including activity ideas, social media posts, and a template letter to your MP. |
Tessa - our Halls Advisor - is happy to come along to events and offer support, so make sure to let her know about your Village Halls Week plans. Tessa@communityfirstoxon.org |
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Third Sector Trends in England and Wales 2025: income sources, assets and financial wellbeing. |
Third Sector Trends has been surveying the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector every three years since 2010. In 2025, 8,680 responses were received across England and Wales. The report highlights some key trends: Grants are now even more popular as a principal source of income Trusts and foundations are shifting towards longer-term grants The third sector is turning its back on contracts to deliver public services The appeal and reliance upon earned income is weakening Financial reserves have held up well since 2022 Many in the third sector have a very positive outlook on future finances
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NAVCA on Neighbourhood Health |
Across England, there is a shift towards neighbourhood health, with the aim of moving care closer to communities and tackling inequalities. On paper, the vision is compelling. In practice, however, many neighbourhood models are falling short of their potential. NAVCA's new report, grounded in the lived experience of NAVCA member local infrastructure organisations (LIOs), and ICS-VCSE Alliances, shows why. Too often, neighbourhood working is shaped by system boundaries rather than community realities. VCSE organisations are brought in late, funding is short-term and unstable, commissioning remains complex and exclusionary, and community insight is undervalued. The result is neighbourhood working that improves coordination within the system but misses the opportunity to build long-term community health and resilience. Where LIOs and VCSE leadership are properly supported, the difference is clear. Trusted local infrastructure connects organisations together, so people get the support they need earlier. It makes sure support reaches those furthest from statutory services, enables trauma-informed and culturally competent approaches, and brings real community intelligence into decision-making. Neighbourhood health works best when it is powered by relationships, trust, and lived experience — not just structures. |
The Well Together programme is named aptly, as it brings together many people representing a diverse range of groups and organisations. Fundamental to the programme is how grassroots groups and local charities contribute to NHS priorities.
Supported groups address the five clinical areas of the CORE20PLUS5. The University of Oxford TORCH evaluation recognised the programme as “crucial in linking residents to existing public health and medical provision" and the trusted relationships built as “an essential foundation for the success of overarching health programmes such as NHS screening and medical provision.
Funded groups demonstrate a unique strength in addressing health inequalities due to their deep embeddedness within the communities they serve. Their ability to listen, adapt, and respond quickly to local needs ensures that activities are not only relevant but also culturally sensitive and inclusive. You can explore the work of Well Together on our website. To explore how grassroots community links to each clinical area, take a look at our full report. |
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Resources and Opportunities |
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We are exploring what it's like to live in rural areas in Oxfordshire!
Alongside Healthwatch Oxfordshire, we've been asked by Oxfordshire County Council, Cherwell District Council, and West Oxfordshire District Council to explore people’s views about living in Cropredy, the Heyfords, Chipping Norton, Hanborough, and Freeland.
We'll be looking into local assets, barriers, and opportunities. We want to understand what helps people stay healthy and well, and what makes this difficult.
The final report will be used by Oxfordshire County Council and others to help plan services and understand more about the needs of these rural communities.
We are currently sharing our surveys and setting up focus groups! If you live in one of these areas, please fill in our survey and share it widely! It's important that we reach as many people as we can.
We can provide surveys in printed format, easy read and other languages on request, just get in touch - hello@healthwatchoxfordshire.co.uk - 01865 520 520.
This work is part of Oxfordshire Marmot focus on health inequalities and tackling the underlying causes. |
Call for evidence on support given to rural community owned businesses |
The Government is gathering experiences of the support given to co-operatives and non-financial mutuals. This includes rural community-owned businesses.
Read the call for evidence document for more information, before providing feedback for this important consultation by the 18 February. |
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Nature and Wellbeing Training |
Free nature and wellbeing training is available for anyone in the health, care, and Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sector in Oxfordshire. There are 3 upcoming courses available to join. The next booking window opens on 9 February. |
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Government Consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework |
The government is seeking views on a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and other changes to the planning system. As a charity with experience in placemaking and planning, we'll be submitting some recommendations before the consultation closes on 10 March. If you'd like to influence our planning system too, submit your opinions to the government's proposals below. |
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Compiled by their members, Locality offers practical guides, reports and research to 'help transform lives'.
From broad topics such as community engagement or sustainability to more specific advice on funding or communication, Locality offers a wide range of advice.
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Resources: Transition Network |
Transition Network offers many resources with tools, guides, and knowledge to build resilient communities.
Covering topics from Just Transition & Social Justice, to Regenerative Practices, to Working in Community, you will almost definitely find something useful and interesting to read. |
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Interested in exploring local data? You can explore the results from Oxfordshire County Council's health needs assessments, alongside other recent reports here. |
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Data protection its not just about letter and numbers! |
By Shahdia, our Senior Adminstrator
As technology evolves, so does the way we collect, store and use data Artificial intelligence. New legislation such as the phased implementation of the Data Use and Access Act 2025 are reshaping how we protect the information entrusted to us across Oxfordshire. To keep pace, we are committed to continually educating ourselves on emerging policies and best practices.
These are not just legal frameworks they’re commitments to the people and communities we serve. Your trust allows us to continue supporting our community with confidence, compassion and accountability. Revisiting and understanding the seven principles of Data Protection and six laws during training helps us reduce the risk of data breaches, strengthen compliance, and maintain the trust of the communities we serve.
We also recognise that some information needs extra care. Legally, “special category data” includes ethnic origin, religious or philosophical beliefs and health information. Though gender is not classed as “special category data” here in the UK, we choose to treat it with the same level of sensitivity because the people and communities we work with aren’t just entries in a database they’re the people we stand alongside everyday across Oxfordshire and that deserves a higher standard of care. |
By Maryam, our Impact and Communications Lead
“We live in the most connected era in human history, yet loneliness is widespread. We long for belonging, for community, for the sense of a village. Yet an uncomfortable truth is becoming harder to ignore: we want all the benefits of community without accepting the responsibilities that make community possible.” |
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The article explores how both in our own behaviour, and in structural changes (defunding public space, technology, and a profit-focus), we’ve retreated away from community into our own spaces. Alongside my colleagues and probably you, I've experienced some of these shifts.
However, there are also lots of people who are putting in the hard work for their communities. People who we support as a community development and placemaking charity. People who we’d like to celebrate even if their community work is not glamourous or showy. |
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There are many volunteers to choose from, but Parish Councillors and Hall Trustees are definitely high on the list! Spending time behind the scenes on governance, policies, and planning, they are willing to work through conflicts and compromises that come with managing a space with limited resources for local people. Here are some reflections from Hall Trustees: |
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Jenny, President of the Carterton Women’s Institute: “Learning new skills is not the hard part of volunteering, but learning tact and diplomacy is. My life would not have been half so fulfilling if I had only confined my life to my needs.” Read more here. |
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Martin Hawkins Chairman of Asthall Leigh Memorial Hall Trustees: “The building was a great way of keeping community together and keeping everyone informed of what was going on. It was the heart of the five villages. I liked that and wanted to get involved in village life.” Read more here |
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Recent Events and Updates |
Rural Housing Enabling - Funding Update |
We are really pleased to announce that the funding for the Rural Housing Enabling service has been extended for a further year. The funding is provided by DEFRA and distributed through ACRE. Here in Oxfordshire, the project has really gained momentum with around 10 parishes having undertaken or in the process of a housing needs surveys or working with us to find a small site for affordable homes for local residents who are priced out of housing in the village. The funding means we can continue to offer free support for parishes with populations of under 3,000 residents including undertaking a housing need survey at no charge to the community. The survey will provide an understanding of how many and what type of affordable homes might be needed and if the community would support a project if a local need is identified. Once a survey is completed the Rural Housing Enabler can help identify a site and find a Housing Association who can develop a site led by the local communities needs and wishes. If this is something you would like to explore please contact: |
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Thanks for reading! We hope you found this interesting and helpful. Do get in touch if you have any feedback or suggestions for future newsletters.
Look out for our next newsletter in April. |
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