Community & Charity
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REC chief Neil Carberry appointed OBE for Services to UK Employment and Business
Neil Carberry, Chief Executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), has been awarded an OBE for his outstanding contributions to employment policy and the UK recruitment industry. A respected leader with past roles at the CBI, ACAS, and the Low Pay Commission, Carberry has long championed effective labour market strategies.
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The Oxfordshire people recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2025
The King’s Birthday Honours List 2025 has been published, with Oxfordshire proudly represented by a number of individuals recognised for their exceptional contributions to their fields and their communities.
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Oxfordshire Museum launches journey through the major Ice Age exhibition
The Oxfordshire Museum is launching a major summer exhibition, Ice Age: Mammoth Quest. Visitors can explore dramatic Ice Age climate shifts, dress as ancient animals, and try hands-on archaeology in this family-friendly event features rare artefacts, including remains from Europe’s last known mammoth.
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Brianna Dale promotes volunteering in Oxford for National Volunteers’ Week
Brianna Dale, a National Management Trainee at Oxfordshire County Council, is inspiring others to give back during National Volunteers’ Week. Discover her journey from moving to Oxford to volunteering with local charity Jacari, where she tutors refugee and migrant children in English.
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Wildlife filmmaker Gordon Buchanan announces 2026 UK tour with an Oxford stop confirmed
Renowned wildlife filmmaker Gordon Buchanan is returning to the stage in 2026 with his acclaimed Lions and Tigers and Bears tour where he will share gripping stories of his encounters with majestic wildlife like pandas, polar bears, and jaguars.
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Great Big Green Week returns to Oxfordshire with £5,000 in local grants
Dozens of events are happening across Oxfordshire from 7–15 June as part of Great Big Green Week, the UK’s largest celebration of community climate action. Oxfordshire County Council has awarded £5,000 in grants to nearly 30 groups, funding activities like wildlife workshops, upcycling, and eco-gardening.
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One-Eighty wins Oxford Bus Company’s 2025 Brand the Bus Competition
Children’s mental health and behaviour support charity One-Eighty has won the Oxford Bus Company’s seventh Brand the Bus competition. The charity will now have its branding emblazoned across one of company’s electric double-decker buses.
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Oxfordshire Freemasons support Westfield Health British Transplant Games in Oxford
The Oxfordshire Freemasons have joined the 2025 Westfield Health British Transplant Games as key supporters, sponsoring the vital volunteer programme. Held in Oxford this August, the Games celebrate transplant recipients, donors, and families.
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Winston’s Wish urges summer walking challenge to support bereaved children
Winston’s Wish, the UK’s first children’s bereavement charity, is inviting locals to join the Cotswold Way Ultra Challenge this June – walking, jogging, or running distances from 10km to 100km through stunning Gloucestershire landscapes to raise vital funds and awareness for grieving young people.
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Oxford Bus Company champions community with chatty bus during mental health week
Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel relaunched their Chatty Bus initiative during Mental Health Awareness Week to tackle loneliness and isolation. Volunteers engaged passengers on the 5A service with friendly conversation between Oxford, Cowley Centre, and Littlemore.
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Oxfordshire sees surge in scouting with over 6% growth in youth membership
Scouting is thriving in Oxfordshire, with a 6.39% rise in youth participation from 2023 to 2025. The Scouts (ages 10–14) grew by 3.63%, while Explorers (ages 14–18) increased by 15.89%.
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Croudace Homes promotes site safety at Sires Hill Primary in Didcot
The initiative, part of the Willowbrook Park development, educated children on construction safety and supported the school with three new welly storage units to enhance outdoor learning.
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Oxford City Council approves New Blackbird Leys community centre plans
The purpose-built community centre will provide flexible, welcoming spaces for local residents and groups, with three large halls, a range of office spaces, and comfortable places for people to meet and relax.
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Taylor Wimpey supports Oxfordshire Young Farmers County Show in Blewbury
Taylor Wimpey Southern Counties sponsored the Oxfordshire Young Farmers County Show with a £500 donation. The show celebrated Oxfordshire’s agricultural heritage with livestock displays, competitions, and local products, attracting nearly 5,000 attendees.
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SHARE Oxford launches DIY workshops for The Great Big Green Week
SHARE Oxford is launching a series of hands-on workshops during Great Big Green Week (07–14 June), teaching people how to fix household items and learn new skills like bike repair, woodwork, and basket weaving.
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Found Festival partners with Music For All to champion music accessibility
Found Festival, the UK’s newest boutique festival of music, wellness, and cultural discovery, has announced its charity partnership with Music For All, a leading organisation dedicated to ensuring equal access to music-making across the UK.