NGO and community group platform in the Oxford Brookes Forum
Friday 20 March from 11am - 3pm at JHB Forum, Brookes Headington Campus, Oxford
Come and find out about organisations in Oxford and beyond that are working with vulnerable and marginalised communities. This will be an opportunities to find out about their creative projects and will give you an opportunity to ask questions, listen to stories and consider volunteering.
Friday 20 March from 11am - 3pm at JHB Forum, Brookes Headington Campus, Oxford
Come and find out about organisations in Oxford and beyond that are working with vulnerable and marginalised communities. This will be an opportunities to find out about their creative projects and will give you an opportunity to ask questions, listen to stories and consider volunteering.
1. Ajyal Foundation for Education works in promoting the wellbeing of disadvantaged communities by breaking the barriers to their progress.
Ajyal strongly believes that children have the right to have access to a safe, respectful, inclusive, engaging and enriching educational environment. They aim to achieve this by improving access to high quality and innovative education. Find out about them at ajyalfoundation.org/index.html or connect on 01865403302
2. Asylum Welcome is a safe haven for asylum seekers, refugees and detainees who have fled persecution and danger in their own countries and seek refuge in Oxford and Oxfordshire. Every unaccompanied child arriving in Oxfordshire is referred to them! From food banks, access to lawyers and English language classes, they are there every step of the journey. Find out more about them at www.asylum-welcome.org or call them on 01865722082
3. Freedom From Torture challenges our leaders and governments when they turn a blind eye to torture and what it does to people. They stand with survivors of torture in the fight for asylum and rights. They go farther to offer therapy and support to ensure survivors' voices are heard. Find out about them at www.freedomfromtorture.org Get in touch 02076977777
4. Headington Fair Trade remains unique in the ethical consumption market with a focus on supporting farmers and workers to improve the quality of their lives and take more control over their futures. The vision is of a world in which justice and sustainable development are at the heart of trade structures and practices, so that everyone, through their work, can maintain a decent and dignified livelihood and develop their full potential. And of course better prices for us! Find out what they do at headingtonfairtrade.org.uk/Home.php Get in touch 01865236944
5. Initiatives of Change strive to build trust across the world's divides. A global movement of people who are changing the world for the better, starting with themselves. They inspire, equip and connect people to play their part in building a better society. They focus on ethical leadership, sustainable living and trust building through honest conversation and forgiveness. Find out more about them at uk.iofc.org Get in touch 01865511800
6. Lesbians and Gays Support the Migrants (LGSMigrants) is a queer activist group that, through fundraising and direct action, stand in solidarity with all migrants and refugees. It is a queer activist group that creatively challenges the prevailing narratives around migration and rejects all attempts to pit queer people against migrants. Inspired by Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners in the 1980s they build on a proud history of queer solidarity to say: no one is illegal. Reach out to them on www.lgsmigrants.com or send a message to lgsmigrants@gmail.com
7. Makan is a UK educational non-profit committed to demystifying the Palestinian-Israeli issue for a broad audience. Using a language of human rights, equality, and dignity, they provide capacity-building workshops, evening talks, and an online resource that aim to help cultivate a community of effective advocates on the Palestinian question. Makan works to reframe people’s understanding of the issue by amplifying Palestinian voices and reshaping the mainstream discussion around Palestine towards one rooted in rights. Find them at www.makan.org.uk or reach out to them on info@makan.org.uk
8. Oxford Against Cutting (OAC) is a rights-based group working to end harmful cultural practices suffered by girls and women living in the Thames Valley. It is committed to working to help prevent female genital mutilation (FGM), honour-based abuse (HBA), early and forced marriage. They provide education about these practices, support survivors and raise awareness of the services. People from affected communities and young people are at the forefront of their activities. OAC empowers young people to champion initiatives against harmful practices. Find out about their work at www.oxfordagainstcutting.org or connect with them via info@oxfordagainstcutting.org
9. The Oxford Fair Trade Coalition brings together the different people and groups who support Fair Trade in Oxford – the City Council; Fair Trade retailers, including our dedicated Fair Trade shops; organisations and societies; universities, colleges and schools; faith groups; and others. They promote members’ fair trade activities and goods, organise events such as talks, screenings, tastings and opportunities to meet fair trade producers. They also join in activities with other groups seeking a fairer and more sustainable world and work to make it easier for people to access Fair Trade products wherever they are … and to take action when the principles of Fair Trade are under threat. Find out about them at www.oxfairtrade.org.uk or reach out to them at fairtrade@oxford.gov.uk
10. Oxfordshire Sexual Abuse &Rape Crisis Centre (OSARCC) is a feminist organisation committed to supporting survivors of sexual abuse, rape, domestic abuse, and harassment. They offer free and confidential service to survivors who are dealing with the effects of sexual violence, and to anyone who is supporting them. OSARCC is an inclusive organisation which actively challenges discrimination in all its forms, including but not limited to discrimination based on race, religion, sexuality, disability, age, and class. Find out more about them at www.osarcc.org.uk or call 01865725311
11. People & Planet is the largest student network in the UK campaigning for social and environmental justice. It envisions a future in which spiralling inequality, instability, climate crisis and resource depletion are reversed, and a world in which the balance of power in society has fundamentally shifted to an equal world that benefits all of us. Their mission is to build an empowered generation of change-makers who are equipped with life-long skills, motivation and networks to be a force for change in achieving a more equitable and sustainable world. Find them at peopleandplanet.org or call them on 01865403225
12. Practical Action is at the forefront of building climate resilience that protects lives and livelihoods, transforming food production to work for smallholder farmers. Making cities fit for people and planet by using clean energy to unlock potential. With the climate crisis being the biggest threat to the whole of humanity - with the power to reverse decades of progress and thrust millions more people into poverty- they are helping people adapt to their new climate reality. Find out how they do this at practicalaction.org or give them a call 01926634400
13. Refugee Resource provides psychological, social and practical support for refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants to help them heal from trauma and suffering, and to build new lives as part of Oxfordshire’s diverse community. Their range of therapeutic services work holistically together to relieve mental and emotional distress, improve well-being and empower people to connect with the local community. These include counselling and psychotherapy, mentoring, specialist services for women and men, advice and advocacy support, a hardship fund for destitute clients and bursary funding so people can access training and employment. Find out more at www.refugeeresource.org.uk or call them on 01865403280
14. Restore is an Oxfordshire-based mental health charity. Mental illness affects one in four of us in our lifetime, but people can, and do, recover. Restore supports people to take control of their recovery, develop skills and lead meaningful lives through recovery groups, training and employment coaching. They are one of the longest-established, and most highly-regarded community rehabilitation services in the UK. Find out how they do this at www.restore.org.uk or hear from them on 01865455821
15. Sanctuary Hosting matches homeless refugees, people seeking asylum and vulnerable migrants to people in the community with spare rooms and open hearts, to stay rent free for an agreed period of time. They help refugees and vulnerable migrants find options for independent living across the Thames Valley, in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. Sanctuary Hosting currently has an astounding 76 hosts and has over 11,000 nights of accommodation for those most in need. Find out how they do this at sanctuaryhosting.org or give them a call on 07818555986
16. The Gatehouse offers free support for adults aged 25+ who are homeless, vulnerably housed, on low income and/or looking for company and community. It has been operating as a local drop in café for Oxford City homeless and the vulnerably housed for thirty years! The Gatehouse provides a place where companionship, dignity, and refreshment can be found in a warm, safe and therapeutic environment. All services offered to the guests are completely free of charge. Find out how you can get involved on oxfordgatehouse.org or send them a message at admin@oxfordgatehouse.org
Ajyal strongly believes that children have the right to have access to a safe, respectful, inclusive, engaging and enriching educational environment. They aim to achieve this by improving access to high quality and innovative education. Find out about them at ajyalfoundation.org/index.html or connect on 01865403302
2. Asylum Welcome is a safe haven for asylum seekers, refugees and detainees who have fled persecution and danger in their own countries and seek refuge in Oxford and Oxfordshire. Every unaccompanied child arriving in Oxfordshire is referred to them! From food banks, access to lawyers and English language classes, they are there every step of the journey. Find out more about them at www.asylum-welcome.org or call them on 01865722082
3. Freedom From Torture challenges our leaders and governments when they turn a blind eye to torture and what it does to people. They stand with survivors of torture in the fight for asylum and rights. They go farther to offer therapy and support to ensure survivors' voices are heard. Find out about them at www.freedomfromtorture.org Get in touch 02076977777
4. Headington Fair Trade remains unique in the ethical consumption market with a focus on supporting farmers and workers to improve the quality of their lives and take more control over their futures. The vision is of a world in which justice and sustainable development are at the heart of trade structures and practices, so that everyone, through their work, can maintain a decent and dignified livelihood and develop their full potential. And of course better prices for us! Find out what they do at headingtonfairtrade.org.uk/Home.php Get in touch 01865236944
5. Initiatives of Change strive to build trust across the world's divides. A global movement of people who are changing the world for the better, starting with themselves. They inspire, equip and connect people to play their part in building a better society. They focus on ethical leadership, sustainable living and trust building through honest conversation and forgiveness. Find out more about them at uk.iofc.org Get in touch 01865511800
6. Lesbians and Gays Support the Migrants (LGSMigrants) is a queer activist group that, through fundraising and direct action, stand in solidarity with all migrants and refugees. It is a queer activist group that creatively challenges the prevailing narratives around migration and rejects all attempts to pit queer people against migrants. Inspired by Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners in the 1980s they build on a proud history of queer solidarity to say: no one is illegal. Reach out to them on www.lgsmigrants.com or send a message to lgsmigrants@gmail.com
7. Makan is a UK educational non-profit committed to demystifying the Palestinian-Israeli issue for a broad audience. Using a language of human rights, equality, and dignity, they provide capacity-building workshops, evening talks, and an online resource that aim to help cultivate a community of effective advocates on the Palestinian question. Makan works to reframe people’s understanding of the issue by amplifying Palestinian voices and reshaping the mainstream discussion around Palestine towards one rooted in rights. Find them at www.makan.org.uk or reach out to them on info@makan.org.uk
8. Oxford Against Cutting (OAC) is a rights-based group working to end harmful cultural practices suffered by girls and women living in the Thames Valley. It is committed to working to help prevent female genital mutilation (FGM), honour-based abuse (HBA), early and forced marriage. They provide education about these practices, support survivors and raise awareness of the services. People from affected communities and young people are at the forefront of their activities. OAC empowers young people to champion initiatives against harmful practices. Find out about their work at www.oxfordagainstcutting.org or connect with them via info@oxfordagainstcutting.org
9. The Oxford Fair Trade Coalition brings together the different people and groups who support Fair Trade in Oxford – the City Council; Fair Trade retailers, including our dedicated Fair Trade shops; organisations and societies; universities, colleges and schools; faith groups; and others. They promote members’ fair trade activities and goods, organise events such as talks, screenings, tastings and opportunities to meet fair trade producers. They also join in activities with other groups seeking a fairer and more sustainable world and work to make it easier for people to access Fair Trade products wherever they are … and to take action when the principles of Fair Trade are under threat. Find out about them at www.oxfairtrade.org.uk or reach out to them at fairtrade@oxford.gov.uk
10. Oxfordshire Sexual Abuse &Rape Crisis Centre (OSARCC) is a feminist organisation committed to supporting survivors of sexual abuse, rape, domestic abuse, and harassment. They offer free and confidential service to survivors who are dealing with the effects of sexual violence, and to anyone who is supporting them. OSARCC is an inclusive organisation which actively challenges discrimination in all its forms, including but not limited to discrimination based on race, religion, sexuality, disability, age, and class. Find out more about them at www.osarcc.org.uk or call 01865725311
11. People & Planet is the largest student network in the UK campaigning for social and environmental justice. It envisions a future in which spiralling inequality, instability, climate crisis and resource depletion are reversed, and a world in which the balance of power in society has fundamentally shifted to an equal world that benefits all of us. Their mission is to build an empowered generation of change-makers who are equipped with life-long skills, motivation and networks to be a force for change in achieving a more equitable and sustainable world. Find them at peopleandplanet.org or call them on 01865403225
12. Practical Action is at the forefront of building climate resilience that protects lives and livelihoods, transforming food production to work for smallholder farmers. Making cities fit for people and planet by using clean energy to unlock potential. With the climate crisis being the biggest threat to the whole of humanity - with the power to reverse decades of progress and thrust millions more people into poverty- they are helping people adapt to their new climate reality. Find out how they do this at practicalaction.org or give them a call 01926634400
13. Refugee Resource provides psychological, social and practical support for refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants to help them heal from trauma and suffering, and to build new lives as part of Oxfordshire’s diverse community. Their range of therapeutic services work holistically together to relieve mental and emotional distress, improve well-being and empower people to connect with the local community. These include counselling and psychotherapy, mentoring, specialist services for women and men, advice and advocacy support, a hardship fund for destitute clients and bursary funding so people can access training and employment. Find out more at www.refugeeresource.org.uk or call them on 01865403280
14. Restore is an Oxfordshire-based mental health charity. Mental illness affects one in four of us in our lifetime, but people can, and do, recover. Restore supports people to take control of their recovery, develop skills and lead meaningful lives through recovery groups, training and employment coaching. They are one of the longest-established, and most highly-regarded community rehabilitation services in the UK. Find out how they do this at www.restore.org.uk or hear from them on 01865455821
15. Sanctuary Hosting matches homeless refugees, people seeking asylum and vulnerable migrants to people in the community with spare rooms and open hearts, to stay rent free for an agreed period of time. They help refugees and vulnerable migrants find options for independent living across the Thames Valley, in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. Sanctuary Hosting currently has an astounding 76 hosts and has over 11,000 nights of accommodation for those most in need. Find out how they do this at sanctuaryhosting.org or give them a call on 07818555986
16. The Gatehouse offers free support for adults aged 25+ who are homeless, vulnerably housed, on low income and/or looking for company and community. It has been operating as a local drop in café for Oxford City homeless and the vulnerably housed for thirty years! The Gatehouse provides a place where companionship, dignity, and refreshment can be found in a warm, safe and therapeutic environment. All services offered to the guests are completely free of charge. Find out how you can get involved on oxfordgatehouse.org or send them a message at admin@oxfordgatehouse.org