Sanctuary Housing - Cherwell

The choir was launched in 2011 by local resident Simon Hill, who runs a music production company. With the help of Sanctuary staff and financial support, the group has grown in numbers and welcomes people of all vocal abilities.

How we’ve helped

• Funding from Sanctuary and partner organisations to cover room hire, equipment and CD production.
• Staff have volunteered 10 hours of their time.

Legacy

• Choir attended by 15-20 members aged between five and 60-years-old each week.
• Released a CD which has had tracks played on BBC Radio Oxford. Income raised by sales has been invested back into the community.
• Improved intergenerational relationships in the community.
• Members regularly volunteer their time to help the group flourish.

Bobbie became involved with The Hill Youth Project after supporting her nephew get involved with activities in the area. After being made redundant, Bobbie began volunteering on a number of projects which eventually led to her getting a job at The Hill.

How we’ve helped

• Sanctuary provided £22,000 to The Hill for a youth worker who then supported Bobbie.

Legacy

• Bobbie has volunteered for the past two years, contributing more than 250 hours of her time.
• Bobbie helps run two football teams for youngsters aged between eight and 17-years-old.
• Bobbie has been involved in the Pimp my Bike scheme to improve young people’s road safety.
• Bobbie has also been involved with the Fixers project which has seen youngsters help regenerate the youth centre.

The Sunshine Centre is based in the heart of Bretch Hill and offers residents a one-stop-shop for health services, education and community activities. More than 20 groups use the centre each week. The centre was refurbished in 2006 which has given the building a new lease of life.

How we’ve helped

• Supported projects, including a support worker for victims of domestic violence.
• Staff have volunteered 40 hours of their time.
• Awarded £3,000 to support Job Club.
• Provided funding for a new kitchen to support community events and group activities.

Legacy

• Up to 25 groups use the centre each week meaning around 700 people have access to activities and services.
• Attained Children’s Centre and Learn Direct status.
• Job Club attended by around 25 job seekers each week.
• Plans to extend midwife services to provide antenatal education.

Restore works to train volunteers to become employment coaches and to give clients with mental health needs the encouragement to believe in their aspirations. Coaches work to build confidence, and to develop skills such as CV-writing and interview techniques.

How we’ve helped

• £20,000 support from Sanctuary Group over 2 years.
• 10 hours of Sanctuary staff time in 2014/15.

Legacy

• Development of Recovery College in co-production with Restore clients to support people with their self-care and recovery.
• Developing partnerships between Restore and other local health organisations is providing a joint approach to mental health services.

Fred Riches, a member of the rotary club of Banbury, has championed The World Health Organisation’s cause of eradicating polio by 2018. Fred has organised projects in Sanctuary Retirement Living schemes and involved children from local schools in events ranging from crocus planting to concerts. This project has been supported by Cherish Cherwell fund in the last 2 years.

How we’ve helped

• £1,000 Sanctuary funding to the Rotary Club of Banbury for the Crocuses for Polio project.
• 10 hours of Sanctuary staff time.
• 500 hours of time from members of the Rotary Club of Banbury.

Legacy

• £5,000 raised in 2014 used to vaccinate children against polio, and Sanctuary Retirement Living schemes are now annually involved with fundraising and raising awareness through bulb planting.
• Largest musical collaboration between Banbury Area Secondary schools to date at the Crocus Concerts, which has developed a basis for future generations.
• Awareness raised in the wider community about the impact of polio in the developing world.

An independent charity since 2005, OYAP Trust’s artists and volunteers have worked with over 20,000 young people in Oxfordshire. In 2013, funding from Sanctuary’s Cherish Cherwell Fund and other local partners enabled OYAP to launch its Youth Action Team (YAT) project. Three YATs are based in Cherwell, encouraging young people to engage in positive social action and helping them to change perceptions about young people within their neighbourhoods.

How we’ve helped

• £20,000 investment from Sanctuary Group to set up and run Youth Action Teams in Cherwell.
• 15 hours of Sanctuary staff time.
• Four Youth Action Teams have been set up: two in Bicester and one in both Bretch Hill and Grimsbury, Banbury.

Legacy

• Development of a variety of skills among young people including leadership and teamwork.
• An enhanced sense of belonging to a neighbourhood for the young people and those who benefit from their community based activities.
• Changing perceptions of young people by bringing together young people who have a strong sense of community and want to make a difference.

A range of exciting free sport and fitness sessions for 8-16 year olds are being delivered around Bretch Hill in partnership with Cherwell District Council's Recreation and Sport Activators.

Give it a go

Multi-Sport sessions take place twice a week, and youngsters can simply participate on a "turn up and play" basis.

Professional guest coaches from local sports clubs are also attending some of the sessions to provide their tips!

• Day and time: Mondays 3.30-4.30pm
• Venue: NOA Football (North Oxfordshire Academy Astro)
   
• Day and time: Thursdays 5.45-7.15pm
• Venue: Banbury Early Intervention Hub

Wheelchair dance sessions (PDF 396KB)

All available sessions can be found in our Love Sport Banbury Sessions Timetable (PDF 248KB).

Share your stories and get involved in the discussion. If you're taking part in an activity, tweet us @HelloSanctuary with a picture using the hashtag #LoveSport.

Find out more about Love Sport here.