Over the next few days we will be posting reviews from the Community, Academy and Women's sides of the club, starting with a Community Review with Head of Oxford United in the Community, Chris Lowes
"The power football holds to inspire happier, healthier and better-connected communities and individuals is something which should never be underestimated.
As supporters of Oxford United, plus our women’s and academy squads, it’s important to note the ability of any football club to positively impact its community will never be exclusively linked to results on the pitch.
Since 2008, we have been proud to act as the official charity of Oxford United and provide people with a positive connection to the club badge via a wide variety of programmes, courses and events.
Our methods of engagement go way beyond the perimeters of the touchline and the 2022/23 season was no exception. It’s a major, multifaceted, operation led by our experienced and qualified team of coaches who work tirelessly to tackle important issues such as loneliness, lack of opportunity and social exclusion.
We target people of all ages, all backgrounds and all abilities – even those who may have never engaged with football previously or had the means to do so. It’s credit to our paid staff and volunteers for making our new and existing delivery possible, and our partners, stakeholders, funders, donors and customers.
Disability Football Sessions
In January, we were pleased to partner with Abingdon and Witney College to deliver weekly disability football sessions exclusively for individuals living with a disability.
After a period of welcoming new faces to the programme each week, we were thrilled to host a record number of participants at a special session recently held at United’s training ground.
Ongoing, the programme will expand further and specifically focus on the health benefits of physical exercise for those who attend. If you’re interested in learning more, sessions take place every Wednesday from 10am in the main sports hall of Abingdon and Witney College’s Abingdon campus.
Refugee Football Project
Following a successful launch, in August the long-term future of our Refugee Football Group delivered in partnership with Refugee Resource and Asylum Welcome was secured.
This is a crucial provision locally which uses football to connect individuals seeking refuge in Oxfordshire to meet likeminded people, develop key life skills and integrate into the community.
At the beginning of the year thanks to Oxford Brookes University, we were pleased to double the number of refugee training sessions and organise competitive fixtures against local schools for ‘Refugee Resource Rovers’.
Access Sport via the Angus Irvine Playing Field Fund
Ensuring everyone can participate and engage with sport is an aspect of our work we are very passionate about.
It’s why in November we teamed up with Access Sport via the Angus Irvine Playing Field Fund (AIPFF) to launch free football for schoolchildren ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
The pilot project at Harriers Banbury Academy has been a great success and encouraged boys and girls aged 5-11 into playing team-based activities. We’re excited by the potential of this partnership, which has recently extended to Orchard Fields Community School in Banbury – more details of which will be shared soon via our website.
Twinning Project via HMP Bullingdon
Rounding off our new project work in 2022-23 is our work with the Twinning Project at HMP Bullingdon.
This 10-week programme helps prisoners improve their mental and physical health and overall wellbeing while simultaneously boosting life skills and employment opportunities upon their release.
By gaining a FA Level 1 coaching qualification, our work with HMP Bullingdon tackles reoffending rates and our two waves of delivery to date have been a great success.
Existing delivery
In addition to the above programmes, we’re proud to remain at the heart of Oxfordshire communities via our school holiday camps, Premier League Kicks, Premier League Primary Stars, our Development Centre, The Manor Club and after-school clubs.
While we might be at the beginning of the off-season, work to positively engage all members of the community never stops. On a personal note, having started with Oxford United in the Community as a coach and worked up the ranks, it remains a real priviledge to represent the club’s social impact work locally.
On behalf of everyone at the charity, I’d like to wish you a safe and enjoyable summer – and hopefully we’ll see you at one of our programmes before the 2023-24 season begins.
Chris Lowes, Head of Oxford United in the Community
If you would like to directly support Oxford United in the Community’s ongoing work, supporters can donate to the charity when renewing season tickets or alternatively use the ‘Support Us’ link via www.ouitc.org.