Volunteering has changed over the last two and a half years. In response, Community First Oxfordshire (CFO) and Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA) are creating an Oxfordshire Vision for Volunteering that offers concrete action points for the next five years and promotes and celebrates the breadth of volunteering action across the county. But we can’t do that without input and partnership from volunteers and the groups that they work with.

As a first step, we need a better picture of the patterns of volunteering and unpaid support across Oxfordshire. Taking part is easy – all you need to do is tell us a little bit about what you do, who you do it for and who you do it with.

Our short survey takes only a few minutes to complete. We want to hear from anyone who has been involved in volunteering and/or community action in the last twelve months. You might have a regular commitment with a registered charity or offer occasional support for a neighbour through your street’s WhatsApp group. You might own a business that also produces meals for a foodbank or spearhead a community campaign. You might organise a jumble sale for a cause or serve on your local parish council. Perhaps you take the time to check in on your neighbour and help them with their shopping or their prescriptions.

All these – and much more – are part of the social, volunteering, and unpaid support landscape. By knowing what groups exist, the difficulties they are facing and the strengths that they have, we can advocate for better designed and targeted funding, support, and training; facilitate improved channels of communication between decision-makers, funders, and volunteers; reduce barriers to participation and offer democratic, equitable, access to volunteering opportunities.

You can complete the survey here.