Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2024

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.

Pump House Project

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.

 

 

Trustees Week

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

 

Good Neighbour Pop-up Cafes

Have you heard about our Good Neighbour Pop-up Cafes? We may have a Pop-up Cafe in your town or village.

Stanford in the Vale, Ardington, Faringdon, Wantage, Watchfield, Shrivenham and more…. We are taking our FREE, Pop-up Cafes on the road, in the hope to bring people from our communities together to help relieve feelings of loneliness and isolation. Please do come along to our cafes. If you need transport, we might be able to help so please do get in contact.

Keep an eye on Facebook: www.facebook.com/valecommunityimpact @valecommunityimpact for all our Cafe News!

Alternatively, send us your email address and we can let you know when the next one in your area will be. Simply email our Good Neighbour team: help@vci.org.uk

We look forward to meeting you at our cafes!

Oxfordshire Residents Support Scheme

Details of how to apply to the Oxfordshire County Council’s – Oxfordshire Resident Support Scheme

A new scheme has been launched to support residents who are either in, or at risk of being in crisis, are in need of immediate help and have no other source of financial support available to them.

What kind of support can you get?

The Resident Support Scheme will help with short-term basic living costs such as food and credit for gas/electric prepayment meters. It can also help in some circumstances with white goods, furniture and clothing. It is intended to meet one-off crisis or emergency need and is not designed to meet any type of ongoing expenses.

Assistance with your application

Vale Community Impact charity, is a referral agency for the scheme and we can help you apply so long as you fulfil the eligibility criteria. For assistance in completing your application, please contact us at: help@vci.org.uk or call on: 01235 765348.

Apply now

To check your eligibility and to make an application online, here is the direct application link: Select one of the following options – Oxfordshire County Council (necsws.com)

For full details about the Scheme please see the Oxfordshire County Council’s website: Oxfordshire Residents Support Scheme | Oxfordshire County Council

TRUSTEES GATHERING event 26 October 2023

TRUSTEES GATHERING free networking evening.

Experienced trustee, considering or starting your new trustee role?
Join us for an evening of networking, learning and unlocking your unique attributes, to become an empowered trustee!
Everyone welcome.
Guest Speaker:
Guest speaker from NVCO (The National Council for Voluntary Organisations), will bring a wealth of guidance, support and infomation to draw upon to enhance your trusteeship and help make a charity or cause, you care about, stronger.
Refreshments:
This is an informal event with cheese and wine!

Book your FREE place:

Simply email us or call us on:
help@vci.org.uk
01235 765348
* Spaces are limited so please do book your free place ASAP!
Once your place has been confirmed, we will send you full details of the event.
We very much look forward to you joining us for the evening.
Thank you.

Celebrating OUR Volunteers!

Our volunteer drivers take people to hospital and clinic appointments, making a daunting journey that little bit more comfortable and often putting their client at ease. Our Good Neighbour volunteers take time to help their client with their shopping, small jobs around the house and providing a friendly face to share conversation and relieve loneliness, so many face. Our volunteer advisors offer a face to face appointment to discuss anything from benefits advice, personal dept support and hardship assistance etc. Often they are the face you see when you are in need, or crisis. Our trustees provide us with stability to keep ‘helping people’ at our charitable core.

Whether you take out our recycling, help in the office or assist our Good Neighbour Pop-up Cafe programme, thank you!

Our volunteers use their unique knowledge and personalities to provide communities across the Vale of White Horse, with the most incredible support, through Vale Community Impact.

As we mark National Volunteers’ Week

We know our volunteers do give their time freely in the hope of helping someone and making a difference. What they do not expect is thanks. However, we have seen the difference a thank you card can make from a client, or an email expressing the difference a volunteer has made.

Please join us in thanking our incredible volunteers and in fact volunteers across the Vale of White Horse. Charities such as ours, could not exist without you.

Join us!

We need more volunteer drivers, good neighbours and trustees to keep up with our growing client base. Whether you have 1 hour spare or half a day, we need you please do get in contact with us: recruitment@vci.org.uk

Don’t miss our article about volunteering..

We have written an article on how lending a hand can be so rewarding, please read more on our website here: https://www.vci.org.uk/volunteer-with-us/

Westmill Solar Co–operative *Energy Support Fund

Please note this fund is now CLOSED.

If you are experiencing hardship as a result of the energy crisis and would like to be considered for help from the Westmill Solar Co–operative *Energy Support Fund, please complete the form below and send to Vale Community Impact along with proof of your identity and address. We accept completed forms via email to: help@vci.org.uk or post it to: VCI, 16 Market Place, Wantage OX12 8AE.

If you have any trouble completing the form, please call us on: 01235 765348

Energy Support Fund – Application Form

or PDF version:

Master Energy Support Fund – Application Form

*Please be aware that there will be a high demand for this fund. The applications will be assessed on a first come, first served basis and the process could take up to five to ten working days. Once the decision has been made, there will not be any right of appeal.

Mental Health Awareness Week

“Is the cost of living crisis impacting your debt levels and mental health?”

Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 15 to 21 May 2023.

This year, charities like ourselves and Mind are focusing on the impact the cost of living crisis is having on debt levels and mental health. The uncertainty of watching as costs spiral can be difficult to bear and is affecting the mental health of millions. The worry of how we’ll get by and support our families is piling on the pressure. But for so many of us, looking after our debt and mental health is often last on our list.

And for those of us who are already struggling with money, the crisis is becoming an increasing burden to carry. So many of us on lower incomes were already making impossible decisions between basics like food, clothing and fuel. This has only got worse. And prioritising our mental health has become more difficult.

As individuals, as families, as communities – we can’t afford to ignore the impact on our mental health. Whether it’s ourselves, our loved ones, our colleagues, our neighbours or strangers. Every one of us needs to know we’re not alone. The good news is there are charities out there, armed with incredible knowledge and expertise, willing to offer their help, support and advice. Like us, Vale Community Impact.

 

Get advice and support  

Here at Vale Community Impact, our charity is sensitive to each person’s unique situation and debt levels.  Our debt advisors work with you to create the most appropriate debt solution, to alleviate your money worries. Acting as an intermediatry between you and your creditors. Where appropriate, they may be able to help you write off a portion of your debt. Make an appointment with our independent debt advisors today: 01235 765348 or email help@vci.org.uk.

Oxfordshire Mind can’t fix the cost of living crisis. But they can help you and people you know feel more able to cope. Mind are there for people affected by mental ill health, as well as families, friends, carers and professionals. You can contact them to ask them a specific question about mental health or mental health services, or tell them about your situation and they’ll suggest some options for getting you help and support. Phone: 01865 247788 Text: 07451 277973 Email: info@oxfordshiremind.org.uk

Mental Health Awareness Week — Oxfordshire Mind

Volunteer with us

Can you lend us a hand?

Vale Community Impact is a local charity, who is focused on providing advice, help and support to everyone in need, across the Vale of White Horse. Our incredible volunteers give the gift of their time, talent and skills to support people living in the community. Why not join our volunteering team?

What Volunteering roles are available?

We are in need of Advisors in our Independent Advice Centre, Good Neighbour companions, Drivers and Trustees. Whether you’re good with people or spreadsheets, we have a volunteering role for you. In fact, we help you match your talents and skills with the roles that suit you best. That’s because we want the experience to be as meaningful and enjoyable to you as it is to the people you will help.

It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from or what you do – you can make a difference and help change lives.

Why Volunteer?

Whether you’re keeping a hospital patient company, helping to run a Pop-up Cafe, giving someone a lift to the shops or just being there for someone who needs a friendly face, you’ll be using your own unique abilities to make a positive difference. The feeling of helping is unparalleled. You’ll meet new people, learn new skills and make a great local contribution.

Want to Volunteer?

There are lots of ways to get involved.

Our job is to make it easy for you to join our volunteering team, to give you all the support you need, and above all to make sure you enjoy your experience. If you’d like to see some of the ways you can help Vale Community Impact operate in your community, please reach out to us to discover which role is right for you.

We’re waiting to hear from you: 01235 765348 or email recruitment@vci.org.uk