Volunteering and community support

The University is determined to play its part in local efforts to support the most vulnerable and the wider community

6 April 2020

Many University staff and students are already engaged with volunteering activities within their communities. If you have time and energy The Oxford Hub, Oxfordshire All In and the Oxfordshire Community Foundation, three groups leading the response to the needs of the most vulnerable in the city and the county, are seeking volunteers and offering community support opportunities.

Oxford Together is a community-led campaign to gather support for those impacted by the coronavirus and those self-isolating. The initiative is run by Oxford Hub, the centre for volunteering and social action in the City, in collaboration with Oxford City Council.

You can offer support in the city in the following ways:

  • Being a street champion, providing practical support in the community (e.g. food parcel delivery)
  • Being a phone champion, a link for someone who is self-isolating 
  • Providing back up to key services (e.g. volunteering in pharmacies, care homes, food banks and more)

People who want to volunteer can sign up to be a street champion or phone champion via the Oxford Together website. If you know of someone in need of assistance you can also refer them for practical support or phone-link support via the website.

For more information please contact hello@oxfordhub.org

 

Oxfordshire All In (OAI) and the Oxfordshire Community Foundation are working with other county partners to identify our community’s needs and coordinate the response of charities and voluntary groups. If you live in Oxfordshire and are looking to help, OAI is the place to go to find out about volunteering opportunities. OAI is also an important resource for anyone who is vulnerable, or caring for a vulnerable individual, and seeking further support.

Examples of how individuals can help OAI directly include:

  • Communications and content creation
  • Digital and web expertise for local charities
  • Operations and project management support for the OAI team

How to get involved:

 

Please contact info@oxfordshireallin.org to get involved

University guidance for volunteers

  • If the nature of your job means that you are currently unable to work from home, or your workload is lighter as a result of Coronavirus, you may be able to spend some of your normal working hours volunteering. Get in touch with your line manager to
    discuss whether this is an option for you.
  • Different arrangements apply to the national NHS volunteer scheme, https://www.goodsamapp.org/NHS speak to your local HR contact if you plan to sign up.
  • If your volunteering will be undertaken outside your work hours you don’t need your line manager’s approval.
  • Please remember to put your own safety first and ensure you are complying with the most up to date advice from Government and the University on social distancing and other
    measures to combat the spread of Coronavirus

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