What we do
The Branch builds hope by breaking down barriers
Hope
We celebrate together when barriers are broken through and build new hope fo the future.
Compassion
We share
compassion. We welcome and respect everyone equally, wanting them to know that they are seen, valued and belong. Our Christian faith drives our desire to see potential in everyone.
Collaboration
We work collaboratively with others and holistically with the whole family within their community.
Transformation
We enable
transformation
and empower individuals to unlock their own potential, addressing the often multiple challenges they face and creating opportunities for them to thrive.
Barriers
All our experience and research indicates that families and individuals are failing to thrive, even in this beautiful corner of the Cotswolds, due to a number of barriers that we have worked to identify:
Rural Isolation
To access many services an individuals may need to make a 30 mile round trip which costs £7.90, preventing them from accessing the support they need.
Poverty
We serve the most deprived neighbourhood in the whole of West Oxfordshire.*
*Government Report
Indices of Multiple Deprivation 2019
Lack of Opportunity
Opportunities for children and young people rank in the bottom 10% nationally and employment prospects for school leavers are in the lowest 5%.*
*Government Report
Indices of Multiple Deprivation 2019
Domestic Abuse
Violent and sexual crimes in Chipping Norton have increased by 51%. From 282 cases in 2019 to 428 reported incidences in 2023.
*Government Report
Thames Valley Police reports
Poor Mental Health
Referrals for self-harming amongst 15-19 year olds have increased by 80% over the last five years.*
*Oxford Health 2018
Debt
Income deprivation affecting children is in the highest 20% in the country and the worst in West Oxfordshire.*
*Government Report
Indices of Multiple Deprivation 2019
Loneliness
500,000 elderly people go 5-6 days a week without seeing anyone. 3.9 million people of all ages describe themselves as “lonely”.*
*Age UK, 2019
Homelessness
During COVID-19 we found nine families without cookers - each week we meet families living without the basic necessities.