Getting help putting a funding bid together

We work with a range of organisations that may be able to help you and have listed some of them below.

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA) is the main umbrella organisation for the voluntary and community sector in Oxfordshire. Its mission is to enable a diverse voluntary and community sector to flourish.

OCVA runs a free Funding Advice Service for voluntary and community organisations and the Development Team can help you put your application together and offer advice on other sources of help. For more information telephone 01865 251946 or check the OCVA website.

It also  gives free advice on the requirements for Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks for volunteers. Further information about CRB checks can be found on the official Criminal Records Bureau website.

ORCC works with rural communities to keep them thriving and sustainable. It provides support to rural communities in Oxfordshire on a number of issueswhich include community-led planning, community transport schemes, village halls and affordable rural housing.

The OPFA assists community-based organisations, especially in the county's rural areas, through offering information and advice to provide, preserve, improve and adequately maintain outdoor recreational and children's play facilities.

A number of organisations provide support for groups interested in setting up voluntary-run youth provision. These include Oxfordshire Children and Voluntary Youth Services - an independent charitable organisation that supports voluntary and community organisations working with children and young people. It helps charities become better at what they do by offering support, guidance, training and representing the sector at a strategic level across the county.

Oxfordshire Association for Young People (OAYP) can provide support for those wanting to set up youth groups, including those covering issues like insurance, health and safety, safeguarding and training. Groups would need to affiliate to OAYP to get the full benefit of their expertise.

Some support may also be available for independent youth service providers from the council’s early intervention hubs through the Youth Inclusion & Engagement Manager. Independent providers of youth services will be able to take part in specialist youth work training at a small cost.