Charlbury Community Workshop boosted by £2,750 grant

Charlbury Community Workshop, which opened in April, secured the money through Oxfordshire County Council’s connected communities fund.

It brings people together to craft, recycle and repurpose second hand items, aiming to give members a sense of belonging and purpose.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for adult social care, said: "Charlbury Community Workshop is an excellent example of our Oxfordshire Way in action.

Tim Bearder (Image: Oxfordshire County Council)

"The centre supports people to live happily and independently within their own communities, helping to prevent ill health brought on through loneliness and inactivity.

“These smaller grants provided through the council’s connected communities fund can have a massive impact when used in such a positive and innovative way and I congratulate the team in Charlbury for all that they have achieved.”

Since opening its doors in April, the workshop has been running three sessions per week for people looking to hone their skills in soft crafts, including fabrics, sewing and crochet, and hard crafts such as woodwork and bench repairs.

The centre has been able to plan for the future as it looks to get more people involved following the grant.

David Court, chairman of Charlbury Community Workshop, said: "The money we received through the connected communities fund has had a massive impact on getting us to where we are now.

"We can operate safely and invite even more members of our community to come along and find out what we’re all about."

The connected communities fund is managed by Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action and Community First Oxfordshire.

These organisations' grants plus programme also offers advice and support to help the money go as far as possible.

Laura Price, CEO of Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action, said: "This accessible and flexible approach to funding activity has enabled us to offer bespoke support around the different needs of communities.

"It’s also great to build lasting relationships with groups who might come back to us for help with volunteer recruitment or training needs."

Emily Lewis-Edwards, co-CEO of Community First Oxfordshire, added: “We thank Oxfordshire County Council for continuing to build the relationship with the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, treating them as an equal partner and trusting their experience and knowledge to place small and accessible funds with community groups and organisations that make a real difference for people in their communities and neighbourhoods.

“The connected communities fund is a great example of collaboration work at its best."