Who we are Who we are Aspire is a multi-award-winning employment charity and social enterprise. We empower people facing homelessness, poverty and disadvantage to find employment and housing. In 2019-20, we engaged with over 2,400 beneficiaries across our projects and programmes throughout Oxfordshire and the wider Thames Valley. Sadly, the need for our work continues to increase - 2018-19 saw a 46% increase in demand for our services, and we anticipate this demand to increase as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, with protective measures such as the tenancy eviction ban and furlough scheme coming to an end.About Aspire Established in 2001, Aspire has now been tackling the most complex social issues in Oxfordshire for 20 years. We support local people into and towards employment and housing, as the most powerful way to break the complex cycles of homelessness, re-offending and poverty. Our Enterprise Model We tackle these complex social issues through our unique enterprise model. Aspire runs social businesses which offer professional facilities management services to local councils, businesses, academic institutions and private customers. We work with councils and companies who take their social responsibility seriously; who understand that they don’t have to choose between doing good, and doing good business. Our enterprises are growing - in 2019 we launched our inclusive recruitment service, known today as Hire2Inspire, working to create meaningful employment opportunities whilst supporting local businesses to meet their recruitment needs through coaching, workshops and in-work support. Working to change lives Aspire's businesses don't just provide class leading professional services: they also offer life-changing work experience and employment opportunities to our clients. Alongside this, our Employment and Development Workers provide these clients with intensive 121 support designed to break down multiple barriers to employment. Together, this is a powerful approach that helps hundreds of highly disadvantaged people achieve their own change. “Without Aspire's help I would never have been able to get back into work and move forward with my life. Thank you Aspire team!” Jane Our journey We began as a small charity supporting a limited number of homeless people in Oxford city into employment. 20 years on, we now work with over 2,000 local people across ten different client pathways and achieve outstanding social impact throughout Oxfordshire and the wider Thames Valley. The future Aspire has achieved over 300% growth since 2012/13. We are proud to work in partnership with 31 organisations across Oxfordshire and the Thames Valley to reach those most in need of our specialist support. Our enterprise businesses now have eight teams working across Oxfordshire and neighbouring counties. We are doing more than ever before to tackle the growing homeless crisis that our community is facing, with new projects and programmes including supported housing in central Oxford, Witney, and expansion of the Housing First model. At a time of uncertainty and a challenging external climate, this growth is testament to the drive and resilience of the Aspire team. We are working to change lives. Will you join us? Banner photo credit: David Brugman