The centre was founded in 1971, with a small group of volunteers providing information services and advice from a small office, Falcon Court, behind Woolworths in the market place. At that time we were known as the Community Information Centre, our name changing in 2001. There was a move to Mill Street in the Eighties and to our present location in 1995. Over the years the organisation has developed into the Advice Centre we have today, with over 30 volunteer advisors, nearly 40 volunteer drivers and 10 volunteer good neighbours.
Our services have also expanded. Our transport scheme provides travel to hospitals, doctors, shops etc for people who are unable to use public transport. This is becoming more and more essential in a rural area and our drivers cover in the region of 5000 miles a month. Our Good Neighbour scheme was started in April 2009 and provides volunteers to help with small tasks, such as putting up shelves, collecting prescriptions etc for clients who are unable to manage the task themselves. Some of our drivers had already been assisting clients with small tasks, over and above their driving work, where they found a transport client in need. We have since made this a formal scheme, with a volunteer coordinator.
Advice services cover a wide range of topics, including debt management, benefit entitlements, employment rights, consumer rights and many more. Our volunteers have a wealth of experience and in addition we are able to provide clients with free legal and business advice, time and expertise generously donated by local professionals. In 2008 we received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Chairman Ann Rowe with Lord Lieutenant of Oxford, Hugo Brunner and our volunteers at the presentation of the Queen’s Award in 2008.
