Education, training and employment

Core ETE support at Aspire

  • For people living in Oxfordshire
  • Aged 18+
  • Not in employment
  • Sustaining recovery from alcohol or drugs (if applicable)
  • Not receiving support from other employment support services
  • 1-2-1 intensive ETE support, help with CVs, to find training, employment, work experience and volunteering
  • Access to social prescribing activities and in-house training courses
  • More information can be found here
  • Support accessible via self or professional referral

For further information, please contact Dea Merkaj at [email protected].


Support in the community

  • The 'No Limits' Project with SOFEA Didcot and Getting Oxfordshire Online
  • For people aged 16+
  • Providing digital device access and digital skills development, intensive employment development support, support with job applications, CVs, interviews, paying for travel to work or training, and widening access to employment opportunities in key sectors with local employers
  • More information can be found here

For more information, please contact [email protected] or [email protected]

  • YPSA Education, training and employment support for young people, in partnership with Oxfordshire Youth and Oxfordshire County Council
  • Aged 18-24
  • Not working or in education or training
  • Living in YPSA accommodation
  • Intensive outreach ETE support across the county, offering help to find courses, employment and work experience, access benefits, financial advice, support with accessing other services, 1-2-1 virtual tutoring and confidence-building activities
  • More information can be found here

For further information, Christina Rofique on 07904 439068 or at [email protected]

  • Enterprise Development Programme & self-employment support
  • Accessible via the Aspire Enterprise Hub at Templars Square, Cowley
  • Intensive, specialist, practical and tailored advice to anyone experiencing barriers to self-employment
  • Access to other courses such as getting into business and building digital skills
  • More information can be found here

For more information, please contact [email protected]


Support for prison leavers

  • Support for prison leavers in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes, and offenders still in HMP Bullingdon and HMP Spring Hill through the Restart Thames Valley project, in partnership with Browns Community Services, Connection Support and Thames Valley Partnership
  • Providing 1-2-1 employability support, building confidence and readiness for release, and providing access to training, employment work experience, Aspire activities and housing support, local opportunities and employers
  • Peer support to prison leavers to sustain their rehabilitation through the Reconnect programme, in partnership with the NHS Liaison & Diversion Service

More information can be found here. To talk to our team about these projects, please contact Tracy Harrison on 07395 791494 or at [email protected]


Support for refugees

  • Supporting refugees to build lives and integrate in their communities
  • Links with inclusive local employers for work experience, education, volunteering, training and employment
  • Work-based English language courses, Adult Social Care, the UK Resettlement Scheme, Support for Ukranians, Construction ESOL/Sector training and the Ukranian Refugee Support Programme
  • Current cohorts include people who have come to set up a new life in the United Kingdom from countries such as Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Ukraine
  • More information can be found here

For further information, please contact John Linnard 07909 531235 or at [email protected]


Support for people in drug and alcohol recovery

  • Aspire's Get Connected service in partnership with Turning Point
  • Providing in-hub opportunities for courses, activities and wellbeing groups
  • Hubs in Oxford, Witney, Didcot and Banbury to create local links and tailored opportunities
  • Ensuring Turning Point service users can access Aspire and wider support
  • For anyone in recovery to move towards employment, education, training, and to access wellbeing and social opportunities
  • More information can be found here

For further information, please contact Molly Harvey on 07736 976501 or at [email protected]


Opportunities to get active and connect with others through fitness and wellbeing activities, as part of our social prescribing project

  • Fitness and wellbeing opportunities for individuals facing barriers, such as drug and alcohol recovery, mental and/or physical health difficulties, homelessness and more
  • Individuals can self refer or be referred - activities are also open to anyone engaging with wider Aspire support
  • Open to all Aspire clients
  • Activities include wellbeing walks, gym groups, boxercise sessions, and further opportunities to access green spaces and new experiences
  • Benefits from activities include building confidence, improving communication skills, developing positive social networks and reducing isolation, boosting mental and physical health, and leading to further ETE opportunities such as employment
  • Access to Aspire's wider support, including employment guidance, enterprise support for self employment or setting up your own business, homelessness prevention and in-house training and courses
  • More information can be found here

For further information, please contact Molly Harvey on 07736 976501 or at [email protected]