Aspire Oxfordshire is collaborating with OSEP, Co-op Futures and CAG Oxfordshire in securing a UKSPF grant to boost social economy growth in Oxford City. Read more
After ten years as Chair and an involvement with Aspire going back to its foundation, Carol Sweetenham will be stepping down as Chair of Aspire's Trustee Board on 28th February, and moving on to Homeless Oxfordshire to take up a role as their Chair. Read more
Paul Roberts will be awarded by High Sheriff of Oxfordshire Mrs Sally Scott at Oxford County Hall in March 2024, in recognition of his achievements as Chief Executive Officer of Aspire. Read more
As we settle into 2024, we thought it was time to share our Aspire origin story with you all. Did you know we started off as door-to-door sales? Have a read here! Read more
Joint open letter from Homeless Oxfordshire, Aspire Oxford, and Connection Support to Suella Braverman MP, Home Secretary (November 2023) Read more
On World Homeless and World Mental Health Day, we're proud to share with you our new Social Impact Report for 2022-23! Read more
We’ve got some fantastic updates to share with you since our last newsletter - but first, a request for your help... Read more
Now spring is here, there are lots of opportunities to get out in the fresh air and start tackling some new goals for the year - and that's exactly what members of our social prescribing group plan to do! Read more
As the year comes to an end, we would love to say a huge THANK YOU to all of the supporters who have - and continue to - enable us to Go Forward Together. Read more
Welcome to Aspire’s autumn newsletter, where we’ll be sharing how we’re continuing to intensify our delivery of housing, employment and connectivity support in response to the cost of living crisis faced by many as we approach winter. Read more
Two of Oxfordshire's most enterprising charities, SOFEA Didcot and Aspire Oxfordshire, have joined forces to launch the new ‘No Limits’ Project to support the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership's (LEP) ambitious Social Contract programme. Read more
Six housing and homelessness organisations, local councils and the Lived Experience Advisory Forum (LEAF) in Oxfordshire have collaborated to create the ‘Oxfordshire Homelessness Alliance’, as a new partnership of commissioned services embarking on a ground-breaking programme of work, to prevent and resolve homelessness in Oxfordshire. Read more
Aspire has launched Going Forward Together, an emergency appeal to combat the cost of living crisis, with time-limited match funding. Read more
It’s been an exciting start to the summer months, with Aspire selected by new Lord Mayor for Oxford, Councillor James Fry, as a chosen charity for 2022-23, and our CEO Paul attending the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace with his wife, Tori, in recognition of his positive contribution to the community in Oxfordshire, including for his work with Aspire! Read more
Aspire are pleased to share our involvement in ‘Restart Thames Valley’ - a year-long pilot project aiming to work with over 350 prison leavers as they move on from Bullingdon and Bronzefield prisons. Read more
Organised by Aspire Oxfordshire in support of the OIEP, OSEP and OxLEP, ‘The Inclusive Economy in Action’ event took place at the Ashmolean Museum on 4th May 2022, exploring how to realise a more inclusive local economy for Oxfordshire. Read more
‘Getting Oxfordshire Online’ Project partners are delighted to have received financial backing from .UK domain name registry Nominet, whose work as a public benefit company funds an ambitious social impact campaign tackling digital exclusion. Read more
Firstly, we’d like to say: THANK YOU! With your help, last year saw us raise £750,000 through No Going Back. This enabled us to support over 400 individuals and families concerned about their housing situation. We were able to prevent a return to pre-pandemic levels of homelessness and disadvantage, and contributed to the design of a new partnership approach to tackling homelessness in Oxfordshire. Read more
We’re thrilled to share that the new Lord Mayor for Oxford, Councillor James Fry, has chosen to support Aspire in 2022-23. Read more
The Lived Experience Advisory Forum (LEAF), supported by Aspire, has won the award for 'A Stronger Voice' in the Homeless Link annual Excellence Awards! Read more
Photographer Mike Sheil, 75, and former High Sheriff of Oxfordshire Jane Cranston, 70, will be spending 7 nights sleeping in 7 Gainfield churchyards to raise awareness of the challenges and disadvantage young people face today - and vital funds for YoCO and Aspire. Read more
Aspire have collaborated with Oxford Gatehouse to launch a weekly Women's Hub - a space for local women to access personalised support around wellbeing, employment, precarious housing and homelessness. Read more
Aspire have partnered with The Midcounties Co-operative to launch a new enterprise hub in Cowley, for local people and community groups to access enterprise development and employment support and guidance from the Aspire team. Read more
Getting Oxfordshire Online will see Oxfordshire Community Foundation, Aspire and SOFEA tackling the issue of digital exclusion across the county through the refurbishment and redistribution of unwanted laptops. Read more