Why we exist

Our community is facing a wide range of complex social issues.

There is a growing homeless crisis: rough sleeping is rising by 50% year on year.
One in five children in Oxford city are living in poverty.
There are high rates of re-offending - 61% of offenders in HMP Bullingdon will re-offend within one year.
30,000 people over 65 live alone.

Aspire is here to help our community's most marginalised people to overcome these issues and build their skills, qualifications, work experience and resilience to achieve their full potential. We don't offer short-term fixes: we work with vulnerable people to help them not only find employment and secure housing, but to prevent them from ever becoming at risk of poverty or disadvantage again.

Our mission and values

Mission: To provide person-centred employment, work experience, training and support opportunities to empower people to unlock their potential to build their lives and futures.

Vision: Anyone, whatever their past, can achieve remarkable life change and re-connect with society.

Values: Ambitious. Supportive. Participatory. Inspiring. Reliable. Enterprising.

What makes us different?

Over 60% of Aspire's team have lived experience of homelessness, substance misuse or offending histories
Our support workers have 145 collective years of experience supporting disadvantaged people with complex needs
Aspire have achieved 328% growth in annual turnover since 2012-13
Partnership working is at the heart of everything we do. We work with 31 organisations across the Thames Valley to reach those most in need.

You can help us to support a growing number of local people in urgent need by getting involved with Aspire's life-changing work.

Sources: Oxfordshire Uncovered Report; open.justice.gov.uk

Latest

Jo’s Newcore Cycle Challenge 2019

After far too many years of preferring 4 wheels over 2, I have signed up to the challenge of cycling 225 miles from London to Paris in support of the Oxfordshire charity, Aspire. Aspire helps vulnerable people in Oxfordshire and surrounding counties by supporting, encouraging and providing them with the skills and, so often ignored, the confidence to find or return to work.

All money raised will go directly towards Aspire so please give generously.

Thank you!
Joe Skinner's London to Paris Cycle Challenge 2019

I have stepped up to the challenge of cycling 225 miles from London to Paris in support of Aspire. Aspire helps vulnerable people in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire by supporting them into and towards employment.

All money raised will go directly towards Aspire so please give generously.
Thank you!
Skills support for the unemployed (SSU)

Skills support for the unemployed
Sarah's Running for Aspire

Aspire are a great charity who help vulnerable people who are homeless, long-term unemployed, ex-offenders or those with poor mental well-being to move into the world of work. They provide the work experience and support needed to help people make their own lasting change.