Rural isolation immediately limits engagement with support services.

Currently there are no statutory support services based in Chipping Norton. For young or old to access help around Mental Health, Job support, Youth Services or Domestic Abuse they need to make a 30mile round trip on the bus - a £7.90 fare - to Witney or Banbury. This is even more difficult for those who live in the surrounding villages.

Keys to unlocking potential

Branch Out And Cook

We know that meals times are integral to strengthening family and personal wellbeing. After delivering 25,000 meals during lockdown, we have partnered with a local restaurant, Wild Thyme and launched a programme encouraging young and old to enjoy creating & sharing meals together – a great lifeskill, money saver, fun and wonderful therapy.

Outcome

Community Kitchen will be used to teach new skills to teenagers – equipping them for life. It will be a space to gather to chat and chop. It will provide a feast for the lost and lonely.