Join the White Horse Community Lottery and Support Vale Community Impact!

We are excited to invite you to join the White Horse Community Lottery, a fantastic way to support our community while having the chance to win great prizes. By purchasing tickets, you directly contribute to the vital work we do at Vale Community Impact.

Why Join?

Support Local Causes: Your participation helps fund essential community projects and services.
Win Prizes: Every ticket gives you a chance to win amazing prizes.
Make a Difference: Together, we can create a stronger, more vibrant community.

How to Join:

1. Visit White Horse Community Lottery: https://www.whitehorselottery.co.uk/support/vale-community-impact
2. Purchase your tickets.
3. Spread the word and encourage friends and family to join!

Thank you for your support and commitment to making our community a better place. Let’s make a difference together!

Vale Community Impact: Transportation Assistance

Vale Community Impact (VCI) is an essential charity in the Vale of White Horse, dedicated to improving the lives of local residents through various support services. One of their key initiatives is the Transportation Assistance Program, which ensures that individuals without reliable transportation can attend essential appointments and maintain their independence.

What is the Transportation Assistance Program?

The Transportation Assistance Program is designed to help those who struggle with mobility or lack access to transportation. This service is particularly beneficial for elderly residents, individuals with disabilities, and those facing temporary or long-term health challenges. The program offers:

• Medical Appointments: Volunteer drivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments, ensuring clients can access necessary healthcare services.
• Day Centres and Social Activities: The program assists clients in attending day centres, social clubs, and other community activities, promoting social interaction and reducing isolation.
• Essential Errands: Volunteers offer transportation for essential errands such as grocery shopping, pharmacy visits, and other important tasks.

Impact on the Community

The Transportation Assistance Program has had a significant impact on the community. By providing reliable transportation, VCI helps individuals maintain their health, independence, and social connections. In 2023 alone, the program facilitated over 3,000 trips, supporting hundreds of clients in leading more fulfilling lives.

How You Can Get Involved

VCI’s Transportation Assistance Program relies on the generosity and involvement of the community. Here are some ways you can contribute:

• Volunteer: Become a volunteer driver and help make a difference in someone’s life by providing essential transportation.
• Donate: Financial contributions help cover the costs of running the program and ensure its sustainability.
• Spread the Word: Share information about the Transportation Assistance Program with friends, family, and on social media to help raise awareness.

Call to Action

If you or someone you know could benefit from the Transportation Assistance Program, or if you’re interested in volunteering or donating, please visit vci.org.uk or contact VCI at 01235 765348.

Your support can make a significant difference in the lives of those in your community.

Vale Community Impact: The Good Neighbour Scheme

Vale Community Impact (VCI) is a cornerstone of support in the Vale of White Horse, offering a variety of services to enhance the well-being of its residents. One of their standout initiatives is the Good Neighbour Scheme, which plays a crucial role in fostering community spirit and providing essential support to those in need.

What is the Good Neighbour Scheme?

Founded in 2009, the Good Neighbour Scheme is designed to assist elderly and vulnerable individuals with tasks they may find challenging. The scheme is powered by dedicated volunteers who offer their time and skills to help with a range of activities, including:

• Befriending and Companionship: Volunteers visit clients to provide company, engage in conversations, and share hobbies, helping to alleviate loneliness and isolation.
• Practical Assistance: This includes help with paperwork, collecting prescriptions, and other small tasks around the home that clients might struggle with.
• Shopping Service: Introduced in 2021, this service allows volunteers to either do the shopping for clients, accompany them to the shops, or teach them how to shop online. Each client receives a home visit to ensure their needs are understood and met.

Impact on the Community

The Good Neighbour Scheme has made a significant impact on the community. In 2023 alone, the scheme facilitated over 4,100 consultations and conducted 2,074 home visits, supporting 323 different clients. These interactions not only provide practical help but also foster meaningful connections that enhance the quality of life for many individuals.

How You Can Get Involved

VCI’s Good Neighbour Scheme thrives on community involvement. Here are some ways you can contribute:

• Volunteer: Become a Good Neighbour and make a difference in someone’s life by offering your time and skills.
• Donate: Financial contributions help sustain the scheme and expand its reach.
• Spread the Word: Share information about the Good Neighbour Scheme with friends, family, and on social media to raise awareness.

Call to Action

If you or someone you know could benefit from the Good Neighbour Scheme, or if you’re interested in volunteering or donating, please visit vci.org.uk or contact VCI at 01235 765348.

Your support can make a significant difference in the lives of those in your community.

Vale Community Impact: Empowering the Community Through Advice and Support

Vale Community Impact (VCI) offers a wide range of free, independent advice services designed to help the residents in the Vale of White Horse navigate the various challenges they may face.

Comprehensive Advice Services

VCI’s trained volunteers and specialist caseworkers provide advice on numerous topics, including:

• Debt Management: Helping clients manage and overcome debt through personalized advice and long-term support.
• Benefit Entitlements: Assisting with applications for benefits such as Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and Universal Credit.
• Employment Rights: Offering guidance on employment-related issues to ensure individuals understand their rights and responsibilities.
• Consumer Rights: Educating clients on their rights as consumers to help them make informed decisions and resolve disputes.

In 2023 alone, VCI’s dedicated team conducted over 11,000 consultations, demonstrating their commitment to supporting the community.

Transport and Good Neighbour Schemes

Beyond advice services, VCI runs two essential community programs:

• Transport Scheme: Volunteer drivers provide transportation for clients to medical appointments, day centres, and other essential destinations. This service is crucial for those who lack access to reliable transportation.
• Good Neighbour Scheme: Volunteers befriend isolated individuals and assist with small tasks around the home, fostering a sense of community and reducing loneliness.

How You Can Help

VCI’s services are provided free of charge, but they rely on the generosity of the community to continue their vital work. Here are a few ways you can support VCI:

• Volunteer: Join the team as a volunteer advisor, driver, or befriender.
• Donate: Make a financial contribution to help sustain VCI’s services.
• Spread the Word: Share information about VCI with friends, family, and on social media to raise awareness.

What next?

If you or someone you know needs assistance, or if you’re interested in supporting VCI, please visit their website at vci.org.uk or contact them at 01235 765348.

Together, we can make a difference in our community.

Making a Difference in the Vale of White Horse.

 OCVA, highlights the hard work and dedication of Vale Community Impact charity

Vale Community Impact is dedicated to empowering individuals and families throughout the Vale of White Horse. Its comprehensive range of services is designed to provide support during life’s challenges.

Vale Community Impact’s Advice Centre offers guidance on debt management, benefits entitlements, and blue badge applications, ensuring individuals have the knowledge and resources to navigate complex situations. Additionally, its Good Neighbour Programme fosters a strong sense of community by connecting volunteers with those in need of assistance, whether it’s providing companionship, or lending a helping hand.

Furthermore, Vale Community Impact’s Transport Services ensure that reliable transportation is never a barrier to accessing essential healthcare. It provides timely and comfortable transportation to and from hospital appointments, ensuring individuals receive the medical attention they need without added stress.

Vale Community Impact is committed to alleviating hardships and promoting resilience within the community. It understands that life can present unexpected obstacles, and it is there to support individuals every step of the way. Whether guidance, practical assistance, or a compassionate ear is required, its dedicated team is ready to help. Read more on the OCVA website, here: https://ocva.org.uk/2024/04/24/ocva-members-spotlight-vale-community-impact/

We are pleased to announce our Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Vale Community Impact, Charity 1161144, will be held on Thursday, 15th February 2024 and will commence at 2-4pm. Our AGM will be held virtually via a Microsoft Teams online meeting. Please let us know in advance if you would like to join our AGM by emailing help@vci.org.uk or telephone our team on 01235 355256. Alternatively, pop in and speak to one of the team at our office at 16, Market Place in Wantage.

We would be delighted if you can ‘virtually’ attend. The AGM meeting link and joining instructions will be provided when attendance has been confirmed.

If you have any questions in advance, please do contact us.

The Pump  House Project – Faringdon

It is a unique, stand-alone charity that is based in a refurbished theatre in the heart of the town centre. Established since 2013, we have become a hub to an ever growing population in Faringdon. We are a completely self-funding organisation which is recognised and supported by businesses and individuals alike. Follow them on their Facebook page for the latest activities @thepumphouseproject

​The Project aims to continuously create a versatile and vibrant, multi-purpose activity centre for the town and its surrounding area. It is an all year round facility, which endeavours to engage with groups and individuals from all sectors of the community with relevant, affordable and inclusive access.

An average of 500 people use the facility every week, hosting local children’s groups, an all-ages weekly community café, baby and toddler sessions, urban movement classes, singing, yoga, tai chi, exercise classes for the over sixties, a dementia café and many more. We work in conjunction with a variety of local and national agencies including The Scouts Association, Sovereign Homes, Age UK and the Town Council’s Youth Services to organise a variety of initiatives including a ‘Digihub’ that opened in June 2017.

The Pump House Project – Home

Vale Community Impact thanks the Project

Vale Community Impact visited the Pump House and was totally blown away by their initiative. From a free larder cupboard, to a charity cafe, to games an activities for all. Please do support this incredible charity, aimed at helping local people.

Graham Beith, VCI Chairman: “TrusteesWeek! A time of year when we celebrate the amazing contribution and commitment made by our trustees and recognise the difference they make to our charity. Thank you!”

Recently we held a Trustees Gathering event, bringing together trustees and those looking to learn more about the role to share our experiences and grow our understanding of our commitment. The collective aim for those who attended was to empower trustees to support a charity or cause they care about. Trustees are the backbone to many organisations and people give their time freely to ensure governance, finances and charitable goals achieved. Without these incredible people, many charities and organisations can not exist.

We thank all our trustees for their time and dedication.

Photos from our Trustees Gathering in October 2023