Organised by Aspire Oxfordshire in support of the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership (OIEP), the Oxfordshire Social Enterprise Partnership (OSEP) and Oxfordshire’s Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP), ‘The Inclusive Economy in Action’ event took place at the Ashmolean Museum on 4th May 2022.

Over 65 delegates representing businesses, public sector partners and community organisations from across Oxfordshire joined the event to explore how their organisations could take practical steps to become more inclusive and have an even greater social impact.

Alongside opportunities to procure services and products with social value in mind, to support efforts to tackle digital exclusion, to empower employees to volunteer for local good causes and to recruit inclusively, the event delegates also heard from the 'Owned by Oxford' community wealth building project in Oxford City and gave their feedback improve the Inclusive Economy Partnership’s new Charter set to be introduced to the county.

In attendance were speakers from a number of local organisations, including from OSEP, the Getting Oxfordshire Online and Owned by Oxford projects, Amey, and the Team Oxford and Hire2Inspire teams from Aspire Oxfordshire.

Jeremy Long, Chair of the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) and co-Chair of the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership, said:

"The commitment of everyone, and their organisations, came across very powerfully. There is much to do to continue to publicise what is already happening here in Oxfordshire, and to help such initiatives expand their reach."

Baroness Jan Royall, Principal of Somerville College, Oxford University and co-Chair of the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership, said: 

"This excellent event was a real injection of energy to our crucial partnership. There is so much to build on, so much to do, but a lot of people who are willing to collaborate."