Get Involved
Volunteers don’t just do the work …………………they make it work!
Charlbury has a fantastic range of voluntary groups which help make the town a great place to live. The Town Council has created this page to help residents interested in volunteering to get involved.
If you are a local group looking for volunteers, please contact us stating organisation name, what you do, volunteer roles available, and contact details that can be shared on this page.
Town Council Working Groups
The Working Groups were set up to enable councillors and local volunteers to work together on environmental projects. Please contact the Town Council if you would like to get involved.
Part of a town council initiative to keep the town attractive and safe for residents and visitors. Working Party volunteers can get together from time to time to tackle particular problems such as clearing leaves in autumn and gritting and clearing snow from town centre pavements in winter. They can also work with other environmental groups, for example, to help establish and maintain wild-flower verge areas. The Street Champions initiative is supported by the town council and Charlbury Gardening Society.
Please contact the Town Council for more details.
The Journeys team is helping the council to achieve its goal to become carbon neutral by making it easier for residents to switch from fossil fuel to low or no carbon alternatives. We also want to reduce traffic and parking around town, to make Charlbury a more attractive and comfortable place. Our projects include e-bike try-out days to encourage electric-bike take-up; working to get a public electric vehicle charging system installed; conducting traffic surveys to help consider where we might make changes such as traffic calming measures; … and lots, lots more, all of which requires enthusiastic volunteers!
The Land and Nature team works on projects that promote biodiversity and build up natural defences against climate change. Trees, hedges, green spaces and well-managed soils are enormously important as carbon stores. We want to see this role recognised and developed locally. Current projects include a campaign to encourage species-rich roadside verges, mapping carbon emissions and carbon storage on local sites, surveying hedgerows, and a plan to develop wildlife corridors that will allow hedgehogs and other endangered animals greater access to Charlbury gardens. Fresh ideas and new volunteers are very, very welcome.
Volunteering with other community groups
The Thomas Gifford Trust are always happy to welcome new volunteers to join our team at Charlbury Community Centre. We have opportunities within our building committee and welcome gardening skills but also appreciate help with our youth club and help managing other community activities such as Scrabble Club. Visit their website here
A community initiative supported by Thames Valley Police, Speedwatch raises awareness of and can check vehicle speeds at different locations in Charlbury. Supported by the Town Council, it also has several speed recording devices. Volunteers are needed to run sessions at various locations around the town. Brief training is required. For more details, please contact the Town Council.
The Wigwell Nature Reserve lies in the valley to the north of Nine Acres Lane. It is owned by Thames Water and managed for wildlife and biodiversity by the Wychwood Forest Trust (formerly the Wychwood Project) supported by local volunteers including the Wigwell Friends. To find out more and/or to join the Wigwell Friends (no fee no obligation)
Blenheim Farm Nature Reserve is owned by Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) and is maintained by local volunteers. There are infrequent work parties, roughly 3 per annum, mainly involving vegetation control. More helpers are always welcome. They are usually advertised a couple of weeks in advance or please contact Louise Spicer for more information.
The Cornerstone supports sharing of local and surplus produce for all, especially fruit and vegetables. We give weekly food support to families needing assistance. We provide a school uniform exchange as well as children’s books, games and puzzles. Volunteers can help in our base at the Corner House to cover our opening hours which are Monday – Saturday, 10am – 1pm.
Contact cornerstone@charlburychurch.uk
Charlbury Street Fair committee is looking for new members to help plan the annual Street Fair and other fundraising events. It also needs people with catering skills and helpers on the day to assist with putting up and taking down the stalls. More information can be found here.
Charlbury Town Youth Football Club provides boys and girls from Charlbury and the surrounding villages with the opportunity to play football. The club runs youth teams from Under 7 to Under 16, including both mixed and girls’ teams. Our teams train and play matches every week during the season and play in several Oxfordshire youth leagues.
We are always eager to hear from people willing to help out, by refereeing, coaching or being involved on the committee.
For more information visit charlburytownyouth.co.uk
ATIC aims to provide help and support to people in the community who need it by linking them up with someone who has offered some of their time to meet requests. Volunteers can choose the type of help they offer, including lifts to appointments, help with household tasks (like changing a light bulb), visiting and befriending, getting shopping or prescriptions. This can be on an occasional or regular basis – you can carry out your ATIC role when it suits you and your life. More information can be found here. Contact ATIC on 07487 413892 or charlburyalltogether@gmail.com
Our aim is to preserve the history of the town and share its history with residents and visitors.
The museum is run entirely by volunteers and new offers of help are always very welcome. Opportunities include stewards to help welcome visitors during our opening season which is weekends from April to September; new members to join our friendly committee; volunteers to help on particular projects, someone with DIY skills to help with small repair jobs around the museum.
Email at info@charlburymuseum.com