Olivia Churchill
Latest news and stories
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New pottery painting studio opens at Yarnton Home & Garden
Yarnton Home & Garden has launched the Potting Shed Studio, a new pottery painting experience. Visitors can personalise mugs, vases, and festive items, creating unique keepsakes while enjoying a fun, creative day out for all ages.
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Oxfam launches Christmas personal shopper service for conscious Oxford shoppers
Oxfam is launching a Christmas Personal Shopper Gifting Service in Oxford to help residents find meaningful, affordable and sustainable presents. With many shoppers feeling financial pressure, the initiative supports second-hand gifting and offers tailored advice for thoughtful festive shopping.
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Children’s health charity and toy company bring the healing power of play to young patients in Oxford
Starlight and Ravensburger have delivered over 7,000 therapeutic toys to John Radcliffe Hospital and paediatric teams nationwide. The toys support children’s emotional wellbeing, reduce anxiety during treatment, and fill critical gaps where hospitals lack budgets for play resources.
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Combating loneliness at Christmas with carols for the older generation at The Rivus in Wantage
The Rivus in Wantage is offering over 55s a supportive community during Christmas, with social clubs, festive events, and a carols evening this December to connect residents and locals in celebration.
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Oxford Innovation Space’s Jo Stevens honoured as Institute of Economic Development Leader of the Year 2025
Jo Stevens of Oxford Innovation Space has been named Leader of the Year at the 2025 iED Awards, recognised for her people-first leadership and national impact on innovation-led economic growth across the UK and Ireland.
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The Duchess of Edinburgh celebrates RAW and GAIL’s social enterprise partnership
The Duchess of Edinburgh visited RAW’s Oxfordshire base to celebrate its social mission and four-year partnership with GAIL’s. The visit showcased RAW’s employment impact, youth charity, and circular-economy work through the innovative GAIL’s Hub initiative.
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Charity quiz night aims to raise £100,000 for Oxfordshire causes
A charity quiz night at Tap Social in Botley will support Raise25’s goal of raising £100,000 for twelve Oxfordshire charities. Match-funded tickets, prizes and the chance to meet local charities promise an evening of meaningful community fundraising.
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Oxfordshire among South East areas linked to 84 charity fraud reports
Oxfordshire charities are being encouraged to boost fraud resilience after 84 charity-related fraud incidents were recorded across the South East. Ansvar Insurance urges organisations to review access rights, verify supplier details and audit cloud permissions ahead of Charity Fraud Awareness Week.
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Oxfordshire Libraries offer free food caddy bags to cut Christmas waste
Oxfordshire libraries are giving away free food waste caddy liners this December to help residents manage extra Christmas waste. The council hopes the scheme will encourage more recycling, cut costs and support environmental goals across the county.
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Staff at Oxford United’s official charity benefit from workplace wellbeing workshop
Oxford United in the Community staff received a tailored wellbeing workshop from psychotherapist Rebecca Lisi, equipping them with practical tools to manage stress and support the charity’s Match Fit campaign. The training forms part of a growing partnership under the Friends of the Community scheme.
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Local Businesses unite to celebrate World Kindness Day with gifts for new parents
Local businesses celebrated World Kindness Day by donating artisan gift bags to new parents at Chipping Norton’s maternity unit. Led by Tall Trees Care Home, the gesture brought joy, comfort, and a sense of community to families welcoming newborns.
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Nearly 70,000 drainage gullies cleaned as Oxfordshire accelerates countywide programme
Oxfordshire County Council has already cleaned nearly 70,000 gullies under its new drainage improvement programme. Doubling crew numbers and using advanced equipment, the county aims to clear all 145,000 gullies by March 2026 to improve flood resilience and road safety.
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Mental health charity One-Eighty wins Brand the Bus 2025 competition
One-Eighty has won the 2025 Brand the Bus competition, securing a year-long bus wrap and £100K advertising package. The charity supports young people with mental health and SEND challenges, delivering over 2,000 interventions annually across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
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Local bat numbers double as Graven Hill’s conservation plan thrives in Bicester
Graven Hill’s bat population has nearly doubled in a year thanks to a decade-long conservation strategy, new habitats, and expert monitoring. Waterman’s latest surveys show rising roost numbers and growing species diversity across the Bicester development.
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Heartbreak as £2,200 of meat stolen in overnight break-in at Oxford City Farm
Three storage areas – including sheds and containers – were forcibly entered, and roughly 120kg of pork, from two pigs carefully reared over the summer, was taken.
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Pakistan gifts landmark Islamic artwork to Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies
The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies has added its first Pakistani artwork to its permanent collection – a striking Amin Gulgee sculpture gifted by the Government of Pakistan, symbolising deepening academic and cultural ties.