F r e e E n g l i s h Language Lessons ( F E L L O W ) .
Through the FELLOW programme you can offer free English language support for people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to access tuition. For some local residents, English language is a big barrier to getting a job, progressing in employment or engaging with their children’s education, and FELLOW works to overcome these issues.
Volunteers can help in class settings, or one-to-one / one-to-two in different areas across the City, including Cutteslowe, Rose Hill and City Centre. You don’t need prior experience of teaching English, and we can provide the resources and training support you may need.
L i n k A g e s .
You can can take the loneliness out of old age by participating in different LinkAges activities.We offer lots of opportunities, including volunteering in care homes, a music stream if you play any instruments, specific support for older people with dementia, and our locally famous IT classes, where you help older people make the most of their gadgets.
Our programme provides a fun break for older people and volunteers love having the opportunity to connect with local residents. There are a range of opportunities to fit around your interests and availability, so just get in touch to find out more.
School Governors.
We are currently recruiting Oxford residents to become school governors with Governors for Schools! You will help children to reach their full potential and improve school performance by supporting areas such as strategy, policy, budgeting and staffing. If you are interested in supporting young people, improving educational standards and giving back to your local community then this is the role for you!
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Read more on our blog or fill out the form in the link below to receive more information.
E a r l y Y e a r s .
The first five years of a child’s life are the most important - help make a long-lasting difference and have fun while volunteering with children and families. Through messy play sessions and other activities for children under 5, you can support local parents to give their children the best possible start in life.
Volunteering typically takes place in the mornings 10am until noon on weekdays. We offer sessions in different locations across the City and different days of the week, and you can volunteer fortnightly or in blocks of 6 weeks.
B i g B r o t h e r s B i g S i s t e r s .
Through Big Brothers Big Sisters you can provide long-term friendship and mentoring support to a child 7-11 who could benefit from one-to-one attention and opportunities to try new activities.
Children in the programme are referred by social workers, and you will work closely with them to ensure children can achieve their potential. You will usually spend some time with your ‘little sibling’ once a week. This could be helping them with homework, playing football in the park, going swimming or to the cinema. You'll be able to support them to achieve their goals and have the opportunity to introduce them to new interests and experiences.
Y o u n g T r u s t e e s P r o g r a m m e .
If you are interested in supporting a charity through governance and strategic involvement, we can help you become a trustee in Oxfordshire. With the average age of trustees in England at 57 years, we are excited to help develop the next generation of active trustees in the voluntary sector, and enable them to serve in local boards throughout their lives.
The programme is designed to both match you to a local charity that is aligned with your interests, and provide a 12 month training course that will enable you to fulfil the trustee role effectively and meet other like-minded individuals taking part in the programme.​
B r a n c h U p .
You can provide fun outings and activity days for children who do not have access to extracurricular activities. Whether it’s taking part in sports, doing arts and crafts or just playing games, these outings help children develop life skills and build their self-esteem.
This volunteering opportunity takes place at the weekend during school term time. We provide training and support for you to get started, and once you are volunteering in the programme you can also explore other opportunities including one-to-one mentoring and residential holidays.
I m p a c t L a b s .
Learn about impact measurement, and apply your skills to the benefit of local charities.
Impact measurement is essential for charities to be able to prove the value of their work, but also to improve the services they deliver and ensure they give the best possible outcomes. However, charities often lack the capacity to devote time to this area of work.
Our Impact Labs programme trains teams of students and residents in key impact measurement skills, so that they can support local organisations to achieve their goals over a 6 week project.
H o s p i t a l V o l u n t e e r i n g .
If you care about the NHS, you can now make a difference to local services and patients at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford City. The aim is to make hospital stays more comfortable, particularly for people those who are in hospital long-term or don’t have many visitors.
You can take part in this volunteering programme through a range of roles that suit your skills and fit around your schedule, whether helping patients to go for a walk, reading to a patient or even organising activities for patients in one of the wards. A comprehensive training and support programme is provided, which will be tailored to your role.
P r o j e c t S O U P .
Turn food waste into donations for local social projects with Project SOUP. This pop-up kitchen gathers food that would otherwise be wasted and turns it into bucket loads of yummy soup. It’s £4 on the door for all you can eat soup and bread with some musical entertainment too. Three projects then pitch for the money on the night and the audience vote to decide who gets the funds.
Events happen three times a year and various time slots and roles are available either in organising the event or on the weekend of the event.
G r e e n V o l u n t e e r i n g .
Whether you care about biodiversity, want to start growing your own food through a community growing project or can support an older person on their allotment, we have something for you. Our volunteering opportunities are a good chance to get active, enjoy the fresh air and meet like minded people.
Email us to find out more about the different options that are currently on offer, and we’ll find you something that fits your interests, availability and location.
