Oxfordshire Stronger Communities Alliance
OSCA is a partnership that represents the interests of the voluntary and community sector in Oxfordshire and works to ensure that the voluntary and community sector (VCS) has the support it needs, and is recognised for its contribution to life in the county.
Introduction
The Oxfordshire Stronger Communities Alliance (OSCA) membership is made up of voluntary organisations that provide support to groups in Oxfordshire and representatives of local authorities and the Primary Care Trust. It is chaired by the Rt Revd Colin Fletcher OBE Bishop of Dorchester.
OCVA is the main umbrella body for local voluntary and community groups and is the lead body in the OSCA. Other members of OSCA include: Cherwell CVS, the Oxfordshire Rural Community Council, Volunteer Link up West Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire Children and Voluntary Youth Services, Oxfordshire Racial Equality Council, Co-operative Futures, Churches Together in Oxfordshire and representatives of local authorities. It was established as the Oxfordshire Voluntary Sector Infrastructure Development (OVID) consortium in 2005, and became OSCA in early 2007. It is funded by Capacity Builders through the Change Up funding programme.
Membership
Membership of Oxfordshire Stronger Communities Alliance (OSCA) is made up of voluntary organisations that provide support to groups in Oxfordshire and representatives of local authorities and the Primary Care Trust.
Roles and responsibilities
Oxfordshire Stronger Communities Alliance (OSCA) aims to help voluntary and community organisations understand and respond to the changing economic, social and policy environment, so that they design and deliver a range of inclusive, accessible activities and services that achieve the maximum benefits for all of Oxfordshire's diverse communities.
The Partnership's objective is to identify, design, coordinate and promote a comprehensive range of high quality, cost-effective support services that:
- are based on flexible and creative solutions;
- reflect the needs of different kinds of voluntary and community organisations at different stages of development and with differing ambitions, working in differing local circumstances;
- are available to all and offer equality of access in accordance with the National Compact Code of Practice on working with BME voluntary and community organisations;
- are outcome focussed; and
- cover both urban and rural parts of the county.
OSCA also acts as the Steering Group for the Oxfordshire Compact and is the lead body for delivering target NI6 of the Local Area Agreement.
If you are interested in finding out more, or your organisation would like to join the partnership, contact OCVA and ask to speak to the Strategic Partnerships Manager.
Terms of reference
View the terms of reference of the Oxfordshire Stronger Communities Alliance.
Oxfordshire Compact
The Oxfordshire Compact is a set of guidelines and principles which support good practice, better and effective working relationships between public authorities and the voluntary, community and faith sectors.Oxfordshire Stronger Communities Alliance is the steering group for the Oxfordshire Compact and oversees work to develop the guidelines, known as 'codes'.
Meetings
The Oxfordshire Stronger Communities Alliance meets quarterly in Oxford usually at Oxford Town Hall and minutes of meetings are produced.
Related information
The business plan and strategic plan for OSCA are available on the Oxnet website.
Related links
The Oxfordshire Stronger Communities Alliance is not responsible for the content of external websites.
Contact details
Contact the Alliance through:
OCVA
The Old Court House
Floyds Row
St Aldates
Oxford
OX1 1SS
Tel: 01865 251946
Email the Oxfordshire Stronger Communities Alliance
