At Minis this week we heard the story of Easter and made some beautiful cards. We are taking a two week break now during the school holidays and will be back on Wednesday 17th April. Happy Easter from the Minis team! 🐣🌷 #thebranchtrust #chippingnorton #westoxfordshire #oxfordshiremumandbaby #oxfordshiremums #playgroupsoxfordshire

Yesterday we were making Spring posies at Connect Café to celebrate the joy of Easter. 💐 Please note Connect has now finished for Easter and will return on Tuesday 16th April. #thebranchtrust #eastercrafts #chippingnorton #oxfordshirecharity #ukcharity #communityoutreach

𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼! 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀... The vision for The Branch, to create a community hub at the heart of Chipping Norton - tackling rural isolation and restoring access to vital services for our community, is soon to be realised!! Just one month from now we will be moving into the newly renovated building. Formerly known to many as the NatWest bank building, 16 Market Place will become a Community Hub, drawing vital services back into our town, where those in need can seek and find practical and emotional help, barriers can be overcome and potential unlocked - building hope, transforming lives. Join us as we countdown the weeks, and then the days, and then walk through the building with us as we take you through the keyhole and reveal what each space in the building will enable. #thebranchtrust #communityhub #oxfordshirecharity #outreachcharity #ukcharity #chippingnorton #communitysupport #familiesinneed #transforminglives #unlockingpotential

We had a wonderful time making beautiful marbled Easter eggs at Connect Cafe this week. There was lots of laughter and excitement to try a new craft. If you would like to make friends, get support, or try something new, why not join us? Tuesdays in term time 1pm at St Mary's Parish Rooms, Church Street. #thebranchtrust #connectingthecommunity #communityoutreach #chippingnorton #westoxfordshire #oxfordshirecharity #learnanewcraft #craftingfun #eastercrafting

We have lift-off” (or should that be “we have lift-in”?!) Last week saw the installation of the lift connecting the ground floor, lower ground floor and the first floor, although these photos were taken on Thursday before the doors were fitted. Another key step in the fit-out phase achieved… this one taking just three days! #thebranchtrust #buildingrenovation #oxfordshirecharity #chippingnorton #communityhub #oxfordshire

This week is Debt Awareness Week across the UK. So many people nationwide, and right here in our own community, are struggling under the weight of debt; making difficult choices between heating their homes, eating a meal, or being able to transport their children to school. At The Branch Trust we are passionate about helping people find a journey out of debt, and supporting them to create a realistic and sustainable budget and make informed decisions about money. We partner with local churches and @capuk_org (Christians Against Poverty) to run a Debt Centre, money courses, and Life Skills groups; we host a help desk at our Connect Café where people can get advice around utilities and bills (amongst many other things), and we also host a fortnightly Citizen’s Advice surgery. This month CAP have released a new guide to help people improve their finances – do take a look at www.capuk.org/guide for invaluable practical advice and how to get help if you need it. #thebranchtrust #debtawarenessweek #debtawarenessuk #christiansagainstpoverty #chippingnorton #lifeskillsclass #debtmanagementuk

With the sunny weather and emerging spring flowers we were feeling cheerful at Connect last week. We continued to put a spring in our step with some colourful crafts getting ready for Easter. Join us tomorrow 1-2.30pm in St Mary's Parish Rooms for more crafts and games and of course plenty of coffee, cake and chat. Please note Connect will break for Easter on Tuesday 26th March, returning on 16th April.

Today, on International Women's Day, which this year is all about 'inspiring inclusion', we give thanks for all the women we have had the privilege of getting to know through our work with The Branch: The mothers we have met through the Nurture Room or Parent Drop-in. The women who have courageously joined a DA support group or taken the step to sign up to CAP Debt Centre. The women who have come through Life Skills and Kintsugi, those who have gone on to volunteer or seek employment. The women who have led or got involved with all the creative activities. All the women who make Connect what it is - a safe, supportive, vibrant space. The women who have stepped forward to lead, mentor, advise. Those who have reached out for help. All the women - who bring their vulnerability, strength, determination, compassion, humanity, love, laughter, joy. All the women who have shared their stories with us and all those who will in the years to come. We give thanks for you all. We celebrate your differences, we embrace your commonality. All of you inspire inclusion. Thank you, from The Branch. #iwd2024 #inspireinclusion #thebranchtrust #chippingnorton #oxfordshirecharity #empoweringwomenuk

Good progress is being made in the ‘fit-out’ phase of the building works, with wood panelling of the Community Hall, acoustic ceiling panelling of the co-worker rented office space and the last areas of drylining and plastering now nearing completion. Very soon the plasterers will move out and the decorators will move in! Oh, and the new front and rear doors are on site now too. . . . . . . #thebranchtrust #oxfordshirecharity #communityhub #communityoutreach #listedbuildingrenovation #chippingnnorton #ukcharity #fitoutphase

Do you know the perfect person for either of these two exciting new roles at The Branch Trust? We would love you to spread the word… FINANCE MANAGER We are excited to offer this new position in the team as our charity grows and moves into new premises. As Finance Manager at The Branch Trust, you will play a pivotal role in managing financial operations, ensuring compliance, and contributing to strategic financial decision-making. Leveraging your AAT Level 3 or 4 qualification, you will be responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, conducting analysis, and supporting the overall financial health of the organisation. FACILITIES COORDINATOR / CARETAKER The Branch Trust is looking to recruit this key member of the team as we are excited to move into our new premises. The Facilities Coordinator / Caretaker will be responsible for overseeing the efficient and safe operation of physical facilities, including the building, equipment and garden. They will work alongside the Outreach Team and hirers to ensure that the spaces are clean and equipped appropriately. The role will involve managing and supporting the maintenance, security and functionality of the Branch Trust’s physical assets, as well as general caretaking & cleaning duties. For full details or to apply for either of these roles please visit our link in bio. . . . . . . . #thebranchtrust #chippingnorton #charityjobs #westoxfordshire #oxfordshirejobs #oxfordshirecharity #christiancharity #ukcharity #cotswoldjobs

The beginning of the Branch garden transformation. Swipe to see what the garden looked like just two weeks ago. A huge thank you to the @daylesfordfarm volunteer team! . . . . #thebranchtrust #chippingnorton #charitygarden #gardentransformation #communityoutreach #oxfordshirecharity #ukcharity #westoxfordshire #daylesfordfarm

These concerts have a growing reputation and are now part of the Dean & Chadlington Summer Music Festival. This Friday a concert is generously being held in aid of The Branch Trust and will hopefully be a magical evening. Please spread the word. More information and details of how to purchase tickets can be found in the link in our bio.

Do you know the perfect person for either of these two exciting new roles at The Branch Trust? We would love you to spread the word… FINANCE MANAGER We are excited to offer this new position in the team as our charity grows and moves into new premises. As Finance Manager at The Branch Trust, you will play a pivotal role in managing financial operations, ensuring compliance, and contributing to strategic financial decision-making. Leveraging your AAT Level 3 or 4 qualification, you will be responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, conducting analysis, and supporting the overall financial health of the organisation. FACILITIES COORDINATOR / CARETAKER The Branch Trust is looking to recruit this key member of the team as we are excited to move into our new premises. The Facilities Coordinator / Caretaker will be responsible for overseeing the efficient and safe operation of physical facilities, including the building, equipment and garden. They will work alongside the Outreach Team and hirers to ensure that the spaces are clean and equipped appropriately. The role will involve managing and supporting the maintenance, security and functionality of the Branch Trust’s physical assets, as well as general caretaking & cleaning duties. For full details or to apply for either of these roles please visit or link in bio. . . . . . . . #thebranchtrust #chippingnorton #charityjobs #westoxfordshire #oxfordshirejobs #oxfordshirecharity #christiancharity #ukcharity #cotswoldjobs

We love to collaborate with Chipping Norton Theatre – they are doing brilliant work in our town, from offering bursaries, to mental health work. Here is another brilliant way to have some fun and get involved, and maybe discover that you have the skills to be designing costumes or working back stage at the theatre... This could be another way of unlocking unrecognised potential! To find out more head to their profile @chippytheatre. . . . . . . . . #thebranchtrust #chippingnortontheatre #communitymatters #theatrejobs #oxfordshiretheatre #oxfordshirecharity #chippingnorton #westoxfordshire #ukcharity #kingham #enstone #churchilloxfordshire

What a difference a day and a great bunch of volunteers makes! Thank you @daylesfordfarm. So much enthusiasm, compassion and even putting in extra hours to shift a tonne of mushroom compost - we can already see the smiles on the children’s faces when they arrive back at school on Monday ready to plant their new nurture garden. And amazing work removing the bamboo that’s invaded The Branch garden over the last decade - one step closer to creating that community garden - where we will even have an outdoor kitchen! Keep following us to see this transformation, all driven my volunteers, in the months ahead. . . . . . . . #thebranchtrust #volunteerproject #gardeninglove #gardentransformations #chippingnorton #localcharity #charityvolunteers #oxfordshirecharity #communityoutreach #ukcharity #westoxfordshire #daylesfordfarm #communitygarden #communitymatters #buildingcommunity

Huge thanks to the two volunteer teams from @daylesfordfarm today. The first team is working rebuilding raised beds at the Primary School, where we run Nurture Garden. The second team is our FIRST EVER VOLUNTEER TEAM AT THE BRANCH! They have the mammoth task of clearing the bamboo from the garden. The first step for us creating a beautiful space to share with the community. Huge thanks to Daylesford and hurrah for the volunteers! . . . . . . #thebranchtrust #nurturegardening #gardenproject #volunteerappreciation #charityvolunteers #chippingnorton #communityoutreach #westoxfordshire #daylesfordfarm #oxfordshirecharity

Do you know the perfect person for either of these two exciting new roles at The Branch Trust? We would love you to spread the word… FINANCE MANAGER We are excited to offer this new position in the team as our charity grows and moves into new premises. As Finance Manager at The Branch Trust, you will play a pivotal role in managing financial operations, ensuring compliance, and contributing to strategic financial decision-making. Leveraging your AAT Level 3 or 4 qualification, you will be responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, conducting analysis, and supporting the overall financial health of the organisation. FACILITIES COORDINATOR / CARETAKER The Branch Trust is looking to recruit this key member of the team as we are excited to move into our new premises. The Facilities Coordinator / Caretaker will be responsible for overseeing the efficient and safe operation of physical facilities, including the building, equipment and garden. They will work alongside the Outreach Team and hirers to ensure that the spaces are clean and equipped appropriately. The role will involve managing and supporting the maintenance, security and functionality of the Branch Trust’s physical assets, as well as general caretaking & cleaning duties. For full details or to apply for either of these roles please visit or link in bio. . . . . . . . #thebranchtrust #chippingnorton #charityjobs #westoxfordshire #oxfordshirejobs #oxfordshirecharity

We love working in collaboration with @homestartuk. It is such a wonderful charity, who aim to help families build better lives for their children by recruiting, training and supervising volunteers who offer support, friendship and practical help to families experiencing difficulties. @hsbbcn are looking for further volunteers in the Chipping Norton – could that be you? Have you got 2-3 hours a week when you could offer that support to a family? They offer brilliant training and support and we know that those volunteers make an INCREDIBLE difference to a family’s life. Swipe to see the full poster for more details – and why not phone up and have a chat to find out more? . . . . . . . . #thebranchtrust #localcharity #homestartuk #workinginpartnership #charityvolunteers #volunteeringoxfordshire #oxfordshirecharity #chippingnorton #westoxfordshire #familiesinneed #ukcharity

This week was the final week of Own My Life, our programme for women who have been in an abusive relationship. Over 18 weeks this group of women have begun to process what they have experienced. Together they have discussed, debated, cried, connected and laughed (alot). But most importantly they have begun to believe that they are important and deserve to be loved. That their aspirations for life matter. Last week we were exploring resilience and self-compassion and in the picture you will see the collages that they created to remind themselves who they really are. It was amazing to see these courageous women begin to recognise and celebrate themselves with words such as: resilient, beautiful, caring, have a big heart, compassionate, proactive, reliable, kind. (Zoom in to see the others...) We will be starting another 18 week Own My Life programme in April. For more information contact: catherine.spring@thebranchtrust.org. . . . . . . . #thebranchtrust #localcharity #knowyourworth #chippingnorton #oxfordshirecharity #domesticabusesurvivor #domesticabusesupport #westoxfordshire #enstone #churchilloxfordshire #artastherapy #creativeworkshop #mentalhealthsupportgroup

Diggers at work in Minis messy play yesterday. Each week we have themed messy play activities for the children to enjoy. There will be no Minis next week as it's Half-Term. We will return on Wednesday 21st February. . . . . . . . #thebranchtrust #chippingnorton #playgroupfun #oxfordshirekids #oxfordshirecharity #localgroups #preschoolgroups #westoxfordshire

We had lots of fun with Valentines crafts today at Connect Café. We have different crafts available each week. Join us on Tuesdays 1-2.30pm at St Mary’s Parish Rooms, Church Street, Chipping Norton. *Please note we will break for half-term next week but will return on Tuesday 20th February. . . . . . . #thebranchtrust #craftingfun #craftersgonnacraft #communityoutreach #outreachcharity #oxfordshirecharity #westoxfordshire #chippingnorton #enstone #churchilloxfordshire #oxfordshire #ukcharity #localgroups

This week is Children's Mental Health Week and the theme is one that particularly resonates with us here at The Branch - "My Voice Matters". We love to find opportunities to allow people of all ages to feel heard, especially children and young people - I know that in my work with The Branch I have been taught a great deal by them! As we develop our work at The Branch we aim to find more ways to give children a voice - through our Nurture work, after school clubs and a range of activities and events. It is such a vital part of mental wellbeing. How will you remind a child that their voice matters this week? You can find useful resources and information about Children's Mental Health Week at the link in our bio. . . . . . . . #thebranchtrust #childrensmentalhealthweek #childrensmhweek #MyVoiceMatters #communityoutreach #localcharity #chippingnorton #westoxfordshire #oxfordshirecharity #kingham #hooknorton #enstone #oxfordshirekids

We attended some really helpful training on food poverty delivered by @goodfoodoxford last week. It’s always good to get as well resourced and knowledgable as possible and we will be delivering this training more locally ourselves to our team and volunteers in the near future. . . . . . . . . #thebranchtrust #chippingnorton #foodpovertyuk #goodfoodoxfordshire #foodpovertyawareness #communityoutreach #localcharity #oxfordshirecharity #westoxfordshire #ukcharity

We had an amazing afternoon of Ukrainian art today hosted by The Branch - young and old created beautiful paper mosaics. One artist commented: “Thank you for bringing in this event! I can definitely say that everyone enjoyed crafting very much - it’s like the most satisfying therapy 🙌🏻💛”. Huge thanks to @asylumwelcome for organising and for their amazing work with refugees across the county. . . . . . #thebranchtrust #ukrainiansupport #ukrainianrefugees #chippingnorton #artastherapy #therapeuticart #communityoutreach #oxfordshirecharity #westoxfordshire #mosaicart

The brilliant @thrive_northox, who we love to collaborate with, are hosting this event in Chipping Norton Town Hall on Friday 2nd February at 7.30-9.30pm (full details can be found in our story or on the Fit Active website www.fitactive.co.uk). Please contact Nicky directly to book nicky@fitactive.co.uk /07902 489417. Please spread the word, this should be very interesting and also an opportunity to raise funds for a great charity. . . . . . . . . . . #thebranchtrust #chippingnorton #womenshealthuk #menopausesupport #thrivenorthoxfordshire #westoxfordshire #churchilloxfordshire #kingham #hooknorton #menopauseeducation

After 60 weeks of screening and providing an enclosure for the builders’ compound, the hoarding boards at the front of The Branch building were taken down last week, allowing the re-opening of that part of Market Place… hooray! The compound and hoarding were necessary (and, indeed, stipulated by Oxfordshire County Council) as we had no other way of getting materials, machinery and workers in and out of the building safely, or give protection to the scaffolding at the front of the building. That said, we are delighted to see it removed at long last… and we are not the only ones (judging from a great many conversations between the Savvy team and passers-by)! The three photos above show before, during and after removal of the hoarding. The other reason we are so pleased to see the hoarding removed is that it shows we are nearly there with our building works… just a few weeks left now! . . . . . . . . . . #thebranchtrust #hoardings #buildingsite #oxfordshirecharity #chippingnorton #westoxfordshire #communityoutreach #ukcharity #supportingthecommunity #lovethyneighbour #christiancharity

Today is Parent Mental Health Day 2024 and the theme particularly resonates with what we aim for at The Branch: Creating Positive Relationships. You can feel as if you are on your own when parenting, especially if life is challenging. This can have a real impact on our mental health. But time and again in our groups and activities we hear connections being made between parents who share these experiences and challenges, and positive relationships being created. You do not have to feel alone. Come along to Connect at the Parish Rooms on a Tuesday 1 - 2.30pm to meet other parents or see the link in our bio for a local Parent Mental Health Support group at Chipping Norton Theatre. . . . . . . . . #thebranchtrust #chippingnorton #creatingpositiverelationships #parentmentalhealthday #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthishealth #parentsupport #westoxfordshire #communityoutreach

A Ukrainian art teacher is holding a fun art class at St Mary's Parish Rooms on Sunday 28th January. Please register if you wish to attend by emailing ukraine@asylum-welcome.org. . . . . . . . #thebranchtrust #chippingnorton #artclass #westoxfordshire #localactivities #artteacher

Chipping Norton Leisure Centre are holding a get together on Friday 12th January 10.30-12 as part of the Great Winter Get Together. Swipe left for full details. . . . . . . . . #thebranchtrust #chippingnorton #communityoutreach #westoxfordshire #localactivities #chippingnortonleisurecentre

Wishing you a Happy Christmas from The Branch Trust team.

Over the last few months we have been running a new group at The Branch. Own My Life is an innovative, creative and educational course to support women in regaining ownership of their lives when they have been subjected to abuse or violence. A key aspect of this group is to build peer support. It has been incredible to see the women gather each week and show empathy and respect for each other's experiences and show care and fellowship as they learn and grow together. The next part of the course is all about peer support. They take ownership deciding what each session will look like and running them as they wish. The Branch is passionate about seeing people unlocking their potential and building the confidence and skills to see where this will take them and we aim to continually develop this aspect of peer support for our groups so watch this space. . . . . . . . . #thebranchtrust #domesticabusesupport #domesticabusevictims #peersupport #localcharity #oxfordshirecharity #empoweringwomen #communityoutreach #chippingnorton #westoxfordshire

Today marks a big milestone in our building works as we complete the ‘roofing and leadworks’ phase! This phase started at the end of July and has taken 21 weeks – and a great deal of skilled work by Attleys Roofing Ltd of Banbury – to complete. We are all now ready for a Christmas break knowing that our building is ‘waterproof’… We would like to acknowledge the generosity of The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) – a registered charity that has worked since 1976 to promote the conservation and sustainable re-use of historic buildings for the benefit of communities across the UK (particularly in economically disadvantaged areas) – for the grant it awarded us towards the roofing and leadworks on The Branch building. We particularly thank Louise Stewart, AHF’s Support Officer for London & South East, and David Fairbanks (pictured inspecting the leadworks and roofing works on the 18th century Range A part of the building), our Project Monitoring Officer, for their support and advice. Now we can focus on completing the building’s ‘envelope’ and the fit-out phase! . . . . . . . . #thebranchtrust #buildingrenovationupdate #constructionsitevisit #chippingnorton #localcharity #roofinspection #oxfordshire #oxfordshirecharity #westoxfordshire #constructionprogress #roofingcontractor #leadworks

Such a joy to deliver goodie bags and vouchers to to 139 families yesterday! Huge thanks and well done to everyone involved. . . . . . . . #thebranchtrust #christmashampers #familiesinneed #makingadifference #communityoutreach #christiancharity #oxfordshirecharity #fooddonations #chippingnorton #westoxfordshire

At The Branch we love to see the generations coming together to share activities, stories, food and laughter. At Connect Café and at Full Circle, our intergenerational lunch project at the primary school, we see this each week. Such joy can be found in the smallest of interactions. An eight year old teaching an eighty-eight year old to play Connect 4. An impromptu Christmas song from a group of children which one of the older volunteers said "made his Christmas". This connection and community is what The Branch is all about and we can't wait to see more of these moments when we open our doors in 2024. (Photos showing crafts done recently at Full Circle) . . . . . . . . #thebranchtrust #intergenerationalactivities #localcharity #chippingnorton #oxfordshirecharity #oxfordshire #communityoutreach #christiancharity #westoxfordshire #supportlocalcharity

Connect Café is now closed for the Christmas break until Tuesday 9th January. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to seeing you in 2024. . . . . . . . . . . #thebranchtrust #connectingthecommunity #chippingnorton #westoxfordshire #localcharity #communityoutreach #signposting #localservices #connectionmatters #mentalhealthsupport #communityhub #oxfordshirecharity

Thank you to Kitebrook for supporting The Branch Trust through their singing on the verandah event. We really value our ongoing partnership. Re-post: Christmas has arrived, and the tradition of singing in the verandah and the stairs has come around very quickly! Despite the inclement weather, with their Santa hats adorned, the children sang a beautiful array of Christmas songs on the verandah to the parents. Singing on the stairs was, as usual, a fun-filled event. . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #OxfordshireCharity #KitebrookPreparatorySchool #CommunityOutreach #ChristmasCarols #OxfordshireSchools #CharityFundraising #CharityPartnership #ChippingNorton #CotswoldCharity #WestOxfordshire

A further update from Philip Sharman as we move closer to completion of the Branch building. Moving workers and material around the building has been a complicated (and at times tortuous) process, with ramps, ladders, chutes and hoists regularly changing from one direction to another and moving from one floor to another in an unfathomable (to me at least) choreography… BUT all that is about to change as the internal staircases are just about complete! Now, we have an almost completed concrete staircase from Basement to Ground Floor, a completed steel staircase from Ground Floor to First Floor, and an almost completed steel staircase from First Floor to Second Floor (once there is a landing on the Second Floor to step onto). Luxury!! Congratulations to our happy-looking on-site bricklayers for that first ‘leg’, and to the WIG Engineering team for the second and third legs. Philip . . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #localcharity #chippingnorton #oxfordshire #oxfordshirecharity #renovationupdate #charitybuilding #communityhub #outreachcharity #renovationprogress #westoxfordshire #buildingsite #constructionsitevisit #christiancharity

A wonderful time of creativity and festive fun making wreaths at our Connect Christmas Special yesterday. Well done everyone! #TheBranchTrust #ConnectionMatters #ChristmasWreathMaking #OxfordshireCharity #CommunityOutreach #ChippingNorton #ChristmasCrafting

We are so grateful for all those who have supported The Branch through this campaign. A huge thank you! If you would like to continue to support us we would love you to become a Friend of The Branch Trust, with an affordable regular donation - the equivalent to a weekly cup of coffee! For more information visit www.thebranchtrust.org/support-us (link in bio). . . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #BigGiveChristmasChallenge #BigGive #CharityFundraising #CharityGiving #OxfordshireCharity #WestOxfordshire #ChippingNorton #CommunityOutreach #ChristianCharity #SupportLocalCharity

With just 16 hours to go until the challenge ends, we’ve raised 95% of our target! Please keep sharing and consider donating if you can. All donations up to £11,250 will be doubled until midday tomorrow. Your donation, no matter how small, will make a big difference to those in need in our community. Full details can be found in the link in our bio. Thank you for your continued support. . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #ChippingNorton #CharityFundraising #CommunityOutreach #Oxfordshire #OxfordshireCharity #biggivechristmaschallenge #ChristmasChallenge23 #BigGive #ChristianCharity

The final day of The Big Give Christmas Challenge 🎁 ~ Innovating for Rural Settings ~ In the three years since The Branch Trust was established our innovative ways of working have already been held up as models of best practice and adopted by other organisations. Last year we made a film with women we support who have been subjected to domestic abuse. The film, which focuses on their stories and artwork, is now being used to raise awareness and understanding around the region, for staff training by several organisations, and shared across Thames Valley Police. A recent mental health symposium we hosted revealed huge enthusiasm amongst professionals to actively innovate to address mental health support in rural areas and create a better model. We love to collaborate in developing models of best practice and share lessons learnt with others, creating a blueprint to help equip rural communities across the country. Help us enable this work by supporting us through The Big Give. You have until midday tomorrow to make a donation that will DOUBLED so HURRY! We're less £3000 away from our target now. For further details or to make a donation head to the link in our bio. If you've already donated or aren't able to donate, will you help us by simply sharing this post? Thank you for your support. . . . . . . . .. #TheBranchTrust #WestOxfordshire #TheBigGive #ChristmasChallenge23 #CharityGiving #CharityChallenge #GivingTuesday2023 #GiveToCharity #CharityDonation #CommunityHub #CommunityOutreach #OxfordshireCharity #ChippingNorton #LocalCharity #FamiliesInNeed #UKCharity #BigGiveChristmasChallenge #SupportingOurCommunity #CharityFundraising #ChristianCharity #SupportLocalCharity #RuralIsolation #CommunityServices #CommunitySupport #TransformingLives

A huge thank you to everyone who has donated so far. We’ve currently raised £17,170, including the matched donations from the Big Give. That’s 76% of our target and there’s another 38 hours to go until the challenge ends! Please keep sharing and helping us to spread the news of our campaign. Full details and a link to donate can be found in the link in our bio. . . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #BigGiveChristmasChallenge #chippingnorton #cotswoldcharity #charityfundraising #charitygiving #charitabletrust #christiancharity #oxfordshire #westoxfordshire #oxfordshirecharity #localcharity #outreachwork #communityoutreach #communityservices #helpingthoseinneed

Improving outcomes for young people Some estimate that upwards of 85 percent of employment positions are filled through networking. Many of those we work with lack these vital connections and have limited opportunity to learn about the different types of job sectors that exist and acquire soft skills required for securing employment. We have been piloting an apprenticeship ready programme aimed particularly at helping young people experience different types of work - hospitality, construction, music and more. Through The Branch we will develop this, launching an Apprenticeship Ready scheme, aimed at drawing alongside individuals to help them learn the skills needed for employment and help link them into apprenticeships in the respective sector they are interested in. Your donation, through the Big Give, will help make this a reality. Every day until midday on 5th December, all donations through the Big Give link in our bio, up to £11,250, will be doubled meaning you could give a gift with TWICE THE IMPACT this Christmas! Please share this post to spread the news. More information can be found in the link in our bio. . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #TheBigGive #ChristmasChallenge23 #CharityGiving #CharityChallenge #GivingTuesday2023 #GiveToCharity #CharityDonation #CommunityOutreach #OxfordshireCharity #ChippingNorton #LocalCharity #FamiliesInNeed #UKCharity #BigGiveChristmasChallenge #SupportingOurCommunity #CharityFundraising #ChristianCharity #SupportLocalCharity #WestOxfordshire #Kingham #Daylesford #CotswoldCharity #Apprenticeship

We’ve now raised a total of £15,450, 69% of our target, thanks to the Big Give Christmas Challenge doubling your donations! Huge thanks for your support so far. There are just 3 days left to make a donation with TWICE the impact. Please keep sharing and help us to transform lives and bring down barriers. . . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #BigGiveChristmasChallenge #ChristmasChallenge23 #BigGive #CharityGiving #CharityFundraising #OxfordshireCharity #WestOxfordshire #ChippingNorton #CotswoldsLiving #CotswoldsCharity #OutreachMinistry #CommunitySupport #CommunityServices #Kingham #Enstone #HookNorton

Day 5 of the Big Give Christmas Challenge 🎁 During the Covid 19 pandemic we discovered 9 families without cookers and some households where no one knew how to cook. This sowed the seed for ‘Branch Out & Cook’ a simple cooking programme which began in the small kitchen of Wild Thyme, the restaurant that pivoted to produce 46,000 meals to feed those isolating and struggling during the pandemic. At the heart of The Branch will be a Community Kitchen, the first in West Oxfordshire, where households will have a chance to learn to cook on a budget, Branch Out & Cook can expand to reach more young people and those interested in progressing their cooking skills can cook for community lunches. To help enable and equip this work, please make a donation today through the Big Give Christmas Challenge. Every day until midday on 5th December, all donations through the Big Give link on our website, up to £11,250 will be doubled meaning you could give a gift with TWICE THE IMPACT this Christmas! Please share this post to help us spread the news. To find out more head to the link in our bio. . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #TheBigGive #ChristmasChallenge23 #CharityGiving #CharityChallenge #GivingTuesday2023 #GiveToCharity #CharityDonation #CommunityHub #CommunityOutreach #OxfordshireCharity #ChippingNorton #LocalCharity #FamiliesInNeed #UKCharity #BigGiveChristmasChallenge #SupportingOurCommunity #CharityFundraising #ChristianCharity #SupportLocalCharity #WestOxfordshire

🎁 4 days left of the Big Give Christmas Challenge 🎁 So far we’ve raised a fantastic £10,130! That’s 45% of our target. All donations will be doubled until we reach £22,500. A huge thank you for all your support so far. Please keep sharing our posts and helping us raise awareness. For further details of the campaign and how the funds will be used please visit the link in our bio. . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #BigGiveChristmasChallenge #ChristmasChallenge23 #CharityFundraising #CharityGiving #CommunityOutreach #ChippingNorton #CotswoldCharity #FamiliesInNeed #Oxfordshire #UKCharity #OxfordshireCharity

Day 4 of the Big Give Christmas Challenge 🎁 Sometimes art or gardening as therapy can be what is needed to help bring down barriers and unlock potential. This has been our experience where we have engaged with children through art and horticulture and seen them begin to blossom. At The Branch we’re developing a garden and nurture pod to extend and expand this work to reach others in our community who would benefit from this form of therapeutic support. Our vision is that, through the garden and nurture pod, people of all ages will develop confidence, self-worth and resilience and even discover skills that they could grow into a vocation. It is amazing what can happen when we are given permission to engage with nature and art. Help us make this type of support available to the whole community, through The Branch. Everyday until midday on 5th December, all donations through the Big Give link in our bio and stories, will be doubled, meaning you could give a gift with TWICE THE IMPACT this Christmas! Find out more in the link in our bio. Please help us to spread the word by sharing our posts. . . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #TheBigGive #ChristmasChallenge23 #CharityGiving #CharityChallenge #GiveToCharity #CharityDonation #CommunityHub #CommunityOutreach #OxfordshireCharity #ChippingNorton #LocalCharity #FamiliesInNeed #UKCharity #BigGiveChristmasChallenge #SupportingOurCommunity #CharityFundraising #ChristianCharity #SupportLocalCharity #TherapeuticArt #ArtAsTherapy #NurtureGardening #UnlockingPotential #RemovingBarriers #OutreachProject #WestOxfordshire

Day 3 of the Big Give Christmas Challenge 🎁 ~ Building hope through advocacy ~ A few months ago we met a lady whose lack of English meant that she could not explain her medical needs. She was signposted to our support and, with some help from google translate, we were able to help her access the treatment she needed. The lady has now joined our weekly language lessons, and has found connection, community and support. We recently celebrated her birthday in Connect Cafe and her face lit up as 50 new friends sang “Happy Birthday” as she offered around goodies she had baked to share. Help us make this type of support available to the whole community, through The Branch. Every day until midday on 5th December, all donations through the Big Give link on our website, up to £11,250, will be doubled meaning you could give a gift with TWICE THE IMPACT this Christmas! To find out more head to the link in our bio. Please help us to spread the word by sharing our posts. . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #TheBigGive #ChristmasChallenge23 #CharityGiving #CharityChallenge #GivingTuesday2023 #CharityDonation #CommunityOutreach #OxfordshireCharity #ChippingNorton #LocalCharity #FamiliesInNeed #UKCharity #BigGiveChristmasChallenge #SupportingOurCommunity #CharityFundraising #WestOxfordshire #ChristianCharity #SupportLocalCharity #AccessToServices #CommunityServices

Day 2 of the Big Give Christmas Challenge 🎁 Rural isolation means a lack of access to services for local families. We know that many local households are not accessing universal services. The £7.90 bus ride, 30 mile round trip, to Witney or Banbury is a huge barrier. Our weekly Connect Café has helped us pilot a way of addressing this - creating a space where service providers, such as Citizen’s Advice, Mind and others, can come and be accessible to the local community. Through Connect, @oxlep ‘No Limits’ programme, supporting people with digital connectivity, apprenticeships & access to training and employment, in partnership with @sofeauk reached a record number of local people in need of help. The Branch will enable local access to services, daily, with regular drop-in surgeries and a help desk available each day to help local people access the support they need. To help make this happen, support us through The Big Give Christmas Challenge TODAY. Whatever your donation it will be doubled! So go ahead and make a donation today and become part of a legacy, laying solid foundations for strengthening our community. Please share our posts and help spread the word! To find out more head to the link in our bio. . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #TheBigGive #ChristmasChallenge23 #CharityGiving #CharityChallenge #GivingTuesday2023 #GiveToCharity #CharityDonation #CommunityHub #CommunityOutreach #OxfordshireCharity #ChippingNorton #LocalCharity #FamiliesInNeed #UKCharity #RuralIsolaton #MentalHealthSupport #BigGiveChristmasChallenge #SupportingOurCommunity #CharityFundraising #ChristianCharity #SupportLocalCharity #AccessToServices #CharityPartnership #WestOxfordshire

📣 The Big Give Christmas Challenge starts now!! 📣 What better day than Giving Tuesday - a day to think about how to share some of the savings that you may have made during the Black Friday sales, with a deserving charity. The great news is that whatever donation you make to The Branch between now and midday on 5th December, it will be doubled! Whether you give £5, £10, £50 or £100, it will be doubled, until £11,250 has been donated and matched! So go ahead, be a leader and be the first to donate today, laying the path for others to follow. During this week-long challenge we are aiming to raise £22,500 to help us provide vital services to those in need in Chipping Norton - where the most deprived neighbourhood in West Oxfordshire lies. You could give a gift this Christmas with TWICE the impact. To find out more head to the link in our bio. . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #TheBigGive #ChristmasChallenge23 #CharityGiving #CharityChallenge #GivingTuesday2023 #GiveToCharity #CharityDonation #CommunityHub #CommunityOutreach #OxfordshireCharity #ChippingNorton #LocalCharity #FamiliesInNeed #UKCharity #BigGiveChristmasChallenge #SupportingOurCommunity #CharityFundraising #ChristianCharity #SupportLocalCharity #OutreachCharity #CharityGiving #WestOxfordshire #Daylesford #Kingham #Enstone

Our Branch Trust 'Connectivi-tree' ready for the Christmas Tree Festival this week. The decorations were all made at Connect Café where you are welcome for a cuppa, chat, support, crafts, board games and friendship. Tuesdays 1-2.30pm at St Mary’s Parish Rooms. . . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #ChristmasTreeFestival #ChippingNorton #CotswoldChristmas #Oxfordshire #OxfordshireCharity #ConnectionIsKey #WestOxfordshire #UKCharity #outreachministry

🎁 Less than 24 hours until the Big Give Christmas Challenge begins! 🎁 Today, on Cyber Monday, when many of you are shopping for Christmas gifts, we urge you to consider those in our community experiencing hardship, for whom Christmas is a really tough time. Please consider helping us to help them. The Big Give Christmas Challenge begins tomorrow, on Giving Tuesday. During this week-long challenge we are aiming to raise £22,500 to help us provide vital services to those in need in Chipping Norton. Between midday tomorrow and midday on 5th December, all donations up to £11,250 will be doubled meaning you could give a gift with TWICE THE IMPACT this Christmas! To find out more please head to the link in our bio. We would appreciate your help in sharing our posts to help raise awareness of our challenge even if you aren’t able to make a donation. A huge thank you for your support. . . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #TheBigGive #ChristmasChallenge23 #CharityGiving #CharityChallenge #GivingTuesday2023 #GiveToCharity #CharityDonation #CommunityHub #CommunityOutreach #OxfordshireCharity #ChippingNorton #LocalCharity #FamiliesInNeed #UKCharity #BigGiveChristmasChallenge #SupportingOurCommunity #CharityFundraising #ChristianCharity #SupportLocalCharity #OutreachCharity #CharityGiving #WestOxfordshire

🎁 Just 2 days to go until the Big Give Christmas Challenge! 🎁 At The Branch we have helped individuals and families in our community manage the cost of living crisis by creating and distributing over 100 Branch Out & Budget packs. These include a weekly meal plan and shopping list for a family of 4 for under £30, together with tips to reduce their bills. Providing support like this can have a huge impact, enabling families to make their money stretch further. Our aim is to be able to provide ongoing support to families in need in our community. By making a donation to The Branch you can help us make an impact. By making that donation between midday on Tuesday 28th November to midday Tuesday 5th December you will make twice the impact as all donations up to £11,250 will instantly be DOUBLED! You can find out more via the link in our bio. We appreciate any support you are able to give. If you aren’t able to make a donation you can still help us by sharing our posts. . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #TheBigGive #ChristmasChallenge23 #CommunityHub #CommunityOutreach #OxfordshireCharity #ChippingNorton #LocalCharity #FamiliesInNeed #UKCharity #BigGiveChristmasChallenge #CostOfLivingCrisisSupport #CostOfLivingHelp #SupportingOurCommunity #CharityFundraising #ChristianCharity #SupportLocalCharity #CharityChallenge #CotswoldCharity #BranchOutAndBudget #WestOxfordshire

Only 3 more days until the Big Give Christmas Challenge begins! 🎁 At The Branch we pivot to need - in spring last year when Ukrainian families fled their homes and arrived in the UK, The Branch responded by setting up ‘Ukrainian Welcome’ at our weekly Connect Cafe. We invited Ukrainian families to come along and receive useful information and practical support. We helped them integrate into our community and provided English lessons. We have continued this support and are currently helping over 60 Ukrainian families and their hosts. You can help ensure that we’re able to continue offering this support by making a donation. The Big Give Christmas Challenge begins at midday on Giving Tuesday, 28th November. From then until midday on 5th December all donations, up to £11,250, will be DOUBLED. Please help us to reach our target of £22,500. Your donation will make a huge difference however big or small. Visit the link in our bio to find out more. If you aren’t able to make a donation you can still help us by sharing our posts. We appreciate your support. . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #TheBigGive #ChristmasChallenge23 #CommunityHub #CommunityOutreach #OxfordshireCharity #ChippingNorton #LocalCharity #FamiliesInNeed #UKCharity #GivingTuesday #BigGiveChristmasChallenge #UkraineResponse #UkrainianRefugees #HelpForUkraine #UkrainianSupport #CharityChallenge #CharityFundraising #SupportLocalCharity

Today marks the beginning of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. The theme of this year's campaign focuses on it being crucial to invest in this global issue. It remains a systemic crisis, affecting 1 in 3 women worldwide. In Chipping Norton this year's police figures show that violent and sexual crime has risen by 51% since 2019. Only by investing in interventions and projects that intentionally advocate for, educate and support women and girls can we drive real change. At The Branch we have invested in training two facilitators to run Own My Life, a 12-week programme designed to help women and families who have been subjected to abuse to regain their lives. As well as the weekly sessions which help the women to process their experiences, enable them to stand up to misogynistic societal norms and encourage peer support, the women have holistic and practical support to help them get their lives back on track. A recent session focused on the impact of abuse on children and issues such as child contact. A tough aspect of domestic abuse to face. Before they left that day the women were asked to give a word to describe how they felt and the words they chose are testament to why it is important to invest in this area of our work: positive, uplifted, reassured, supported, clarity, seen and understood, hopeful, driven. By working with health visitors, schools, the police, social services, councillors and other local charities, together we are investing in these women and their families. And by advocating at district and regional level and finding innovative ways to raise awareness, such as the Phoenix Film project, The Branch will continue to push for change and progress for women and girls. Photos taken from the Phoenix Film project. If you would like more information about this work please contact : catherine.spring@thebranchtrust.org. . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #NoExcuse #16Days #16DaysOfActivism #UKCharity #OxfordshireCharity #CommunityOutreach #ViolenceAgainstWomen #ChippingNorton #DomesticViolenceSupport

Today you may be buying Christmas gifts in the Black Friday sales. We all love to get a good deal. How would you feel if we told you that you could give a gift with TWICE the impact this Christmas? 🎁 We’re taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge, starting at midday on Tuesday 28th November, Giving Tuesday. All donations to The Branch Trust between 28th November and 5th December will instantly be DOUBLED (up to £11,250). You could help us reach our target of £22,500 which will help fund vital services to those in need in our community. 🔗 Head to the link in our bio to find out more about our work and how the funds raised will be used. Remember, if you aren’t able to make a donation you can still help us by sharing our posts. Thank you for your support. . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #TheBigGive #ChristmasChallenge23 #CommunityHub #CommunityOutreach #OxfordshireCharity #ChippingNorton #LocalCharity #FamiliesInNeed #UKCharity #GivingTuesday2023 #BigGiveChristmasChallenge #CharityChallenge #SupportLocalCharity #AlternativeBlackFriday #CharityGiving #CharityFundraising #OutreachCharity #SupportingTheCommunity

🎁 5 days until the Big Give Christmas Challenge! 🎁 During the Covid-19 pandemic The Branch delivered 46,000 meals to isolated and vulnerable members of our local community. West Oxfordshire District Council commented that our swift co-ordinated response, “saved lives”. We couldn’t have achieved this without the help of the large team of volunteers who gave up their time to put food parcels together and deliver them door to door. Also the wonderful charities, businesses and organisations who partnered with us to make it happen, many of whom still work with us today. As it's Thanksgiving today we’d like to take the opportunity to give thanks to all the amazing volunteers, charities, businesses and organisations who continue to help us make a difference to so many individuals and families in our community. Your support is key to ensuring we can continue to make a difference. This Christmas you could make a gift with TWICE the impact. Every donation* made to The Branch during the Big Give Christmas Challenge from 28th November to 5th December will be instantly DOUBLED. Find out more via the link in our bio. If you aren’t able to donate we invite you to help us spread the word by sharing our posts. Thank you for your support. *up to a maximum of £11,250 . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #TheBigGive #ChristmasChallenge23 #CommunityHub #GivingThanks #VolunteerAppreciation #CharityPartnerships #CommunityOutreach #OxfordshireCharity #ChippingNorton #LocalCharity #FamiliesInNeed #UKCharity #BigGiveChristmasChallenge #Oxfordshire #WestOxfordshire #SupportingOurCommunity #TransformLives #CommunityServices #CharityDonation #CovidPandemicResponse

Happy Thanksgiving! This morning at our monthly Project Team Meeting we were giving thanks for the incredible team that we have, building together to make The Branch a reality. . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #ChippingNorton #UKCharity #OxfordshireCharity #CharityTeams #BuildingTeams #OutreachCharity #CommunityOutreach #OutreachMinistry #WestOxfordshire #ThanksgivingBreakfast @acanthusclews @savvy.group @chrisreadingassociates @solid.engineering @skp3ltd

The Branch Trust was born out of the outreach work of St Mary’s Church in the community, supporting those in need. Our vision was to create a community hub at the heart of Chipping Norton, to tackle rural isolation and restore local access to vital services for our community. In 2019 the old Natwest Bank in the centre of Chipping Norton was bought, perfectly located in Market Place, in the heart of the town. Early next year our community hub will finally open, making our vision a reality. The Branch will be a space where we can reach out and serve those in need in our community, helping unlock potential in each individual, providing practical and emotional support - building hope, transforming lives! BUT we need your support! We’re taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge from Tuesday 28th November to Tuesday 5th December to raise funds to help us provide these services. During the challenge EVERY donation made, up to £11,250, will be DOUBLED by @biggiveorg, meaning this Christmas you could make a gift that has TWICE the impact. 🎁 Visit the link in our bio to find out more and please help us to spread the word by sharing our posts or tagging those who may be interested in the comments below. . . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #TheBigGive #ChristmasChallenge23 #BigGiveChristmasChallenge #UnlockingPotential #BringingDownBarriers #CommunityOutreach #OxfordshireCharity #ChippingNorton #SupportingTheCommunity #FundraisingChallenge #WestOxfordshire #LocalCharity #Kingham #ChurchillOxfordshire #Enstone #UKCharity #ChristmasGiving #OutreachCharity #SupportingOurCommunity #westoxfordshire #FamiliesInNeed #CommunityServices

🎄 Something BIG is coming… Next week The Branch Trust is taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2023. We’ve set the goal of raising £22,500 so we can continue to bring vital services to our community. From midday on Tuesday 28th November to midday on Tuesday 5th December, every donation made, up to £11,250, will be DOUBLED thanks to funds from @biggiveorg match pot. This means you could make a gift that has TWICE the impact this Christmas! 🎄 We’re inviting you, the fantastic Branch community, to help us reach our target. Keep an eye on our grid posts and stories for more details in the run up to the start of the challenge. In the meantime you can find out more about the Big Give Christmas Challenge and how the funds raised will be used via the link in our bio. 🔗 . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #TheBigGive #ChristmasChallenge23 #UnlockingPotential #BringingDownBarriers #CommunityOutreach #OxfordshireCharity #ChippingNorton #TransformingLives #BigGiveChristmasChallenge #WestOxfordshire #UKCharity #ChristianCharity #Kingham #Enstone #CommunitySupport #CommunityHub #OutreachMinistry #SupportLocalCharity

Last Wednesday the St Mary’s Parish Rooms was alive with discussion, dreaming and planning at a workshop event organised by The Branch. The focus? Rural mental health. Despite the foul weather, 45 people representing a wide range of organisations from across Oxfordshire gathered to think through how we can work together to instigate real and lasting progress for the wellbeing of rural communities. Multiple reports state that there is a nationwide deterioration of mental wellbeing in people of all ages. Having collected thoughts and opinions from those in our community, we know that the specific challenges of living in a rural area compound pressures on mental health. Cuts in services and transport, the sense of isolation, a lack of clear information systems, sporadic online connectivity, the fear of judgement living in a small community – all barriers to getting appropriate and timely support and treatment. The Branch team strongly believes that this topic has been neglected for far too long. We are determined to drive a collective commitment to take action for Chipping Norton and beyond, and it was therefore encouraging to feel the palpable energy and connection in the room last week.  As the hard work begins to propel discussion and planning into action - and ultimately bring hope and transformation to rural communities - we move forwards in the knowledge that we are doing this in collaboration. Thank you to all those who attended. . . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #OxfordshireCharity #RuralMentalHealth #MentalHealthSupport #OxfordshireCommunitySupport #MentalHealthMatters #OxfordshirePartnerships #LocalCharity #ChippingNorton #CommunityOutreach #CharityPartnership #WestOxfordshire #MentalHealthHelp #MentalHealthMonth

A big shout out to Charlotte Wright for raising £100 for The Branch by selling seasonal pumpkins from her garden over half term. What a tremendous effort! Thanks too to @TodenhamManorFarm for allowing her to sell through them. If you would like to raise funds for The Branch please get in touch at campaign@thebranchtrust.org or visit the link in our bio. . . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #LocalCharity #CharityFundraising #ChippingNorton #WestOxfordshire #CommunityOutreach #OxfordshireCharity #ToddenhamManorFarm #UKCharity #CharityFundraiser

The craft table yesterday at Connect was buzzing with excitement as we started this group Kintsugi project that will form the image for this year’s Christmas card. So special for the people at the heart of what we do at our groups to be creating the image that will send out our Christmas tidings. If you'd like to learn more about Kintsugi Hope a promo video can be viewed in the link in our bio. Visit the "What's On" highlight on our Instagram profile for details of our regular groups. . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #KintsugiHope #ChippingNorton #CraftingJoy #ChristmasPrepping #OxfordshireCharity #LocalCharity #CommunityOutreach #ConnectingTheCommunity #Oxfordshire #WestOxfordshire #KintsugiArt #KintsugiWorkshop #ChristmasCardArt

It was a busy day yesterday collecting furniture and white goods and delivering to families in need. Massive thanks to @wigwam_storage who so generously provide us with a van. Yesterday we helped turn 3 houses into homes, moved at least 40 items of furniture/white goods and fully equipped 2 kitchens. The team enjoyed a well deserved cuppa at the end of the day! . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #WigwamStorage #MakingAHouseAHome #CommunityOutreach #ChippingNorton #WestOxfordshire #TransformingLives #OxfordshireCharity #LoveYourNeighbour #CommunitySpirit #FurnitureDonations #FamiliesInNeed #HelpingHand

Our Connect Café attendees made some beautiful autumn creations this week. Whether you love to craft, enjoy a board game or prefer to chat with a cup of coffee, there’s something for everyone at Connect. Join us on Tuesdays 1-2.30pm at St Mary’s Parish Rooms during term time. . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #LocalGroups #ConnectionMatters #CraftingFun #CommunityOutreach #ChippingNorton #WestOxfordshire #OxfordshireCharity #ConnectingTheCommunity

Jesus’ call to Love Thy Neighbour drives our work, born out of the outreach of St Mary’s Church. Just like the Good Samaritan, we desire to be generous, innovative, creative and brave, in all we do, hoping to bless others. Sharon (not her real name) came to us when she felt she had hit the end of the road. We drew alongside her, directing her to Life Skills, the course we partner with St Mary’s Church to deliver, that helps individuals and families manager their budgets and life better. For Sharon this course and the support she continued to receive afterwards, volunteering on subsequent courses as part of a journey of regaining her self-esteem, completely changed her life, restoring her hope and giving her a sense of purpose. We love to work with people like Sharon, drawing alongside them for the long-term as they start, and continue, on a new path in life, building hope, transforming lives. If you would like to help in this work please go to www.thebranchtrust/support-us or contact us at campaign@thebranchtrust.org. . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #LocalCharity #LoveThyNeighbour #ChristianCharity #GoodSamaritan #ChippingNorton #SupportingTheCommunity #CommunityOutreach #Kingham #Enstone #ChurchillOxfordshire #WestOxfordshire #CotswoldCharity #Oxfordshire #OxfordshireCharity

Now the building works are approaching the three-quarters-way-there mark, our thoughts are turning to the garden (and, particularly, how to link the ‘hard architecture’ of the building to the ‘soft architecture’ of the garden). The vision is for a simple, quiet, beautiful garden that provides space for thinking, rest, stimulation, reflection, contemplation, restoration, prayer, fun and mental peace. A greenhouse and accessible raised beds will facilitate growing ornamental plants and foodstuff, while an outdoor kitchen area and lawn/hard areas will enable fun group activities. The work will start in the March – after the building works are completed – and we are hoping to involve many individuals, groups, organisations etc to make this happen! . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #OxfordshireCharity #CharityBuilding #CharityProject #CommunityOutreach #CharityGarden #CommunityHall #ChippingNorton #WestOxfordshire #Oxfordshire #MentalHealthSupport #GardenDesign

William and Olive and the rest of the @chadlingtonfc under 9 squad are supporting The Branch this season. The whole team has chosen to promote The Branch and all the amazing work it is doing in our community by wearing The Branch logo, front and central, on their football shirts. This has been made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of @willowcrossleycreates. We are so excited about this new sporting partnership and very grateful to the team for their support. We look forward to supporting them on the sidelines in Chadlington soon. . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #SportsSponsorships #LocalCharity #CharityPartnerships #LocalSportsTeams #SupportingCharityWork #CommunityOutreach #CotswoldCharity #OxfordshireSports #OxfordshireSports #OxfordshireCharity #ChippingNorton #GreatTew #Kingham #CharityProject #CommunityMatters #SupportingOurCommunity #Chadlington #ChadlingtonFootballClub #JuniorFootball #CharityFundraising #WestOxfordshire #CotswoldSports

We welcome and respect everyone equally, wanting them to know that they are seen, heard, valued and belong. We recognise that we can achieve more together and love to draw alongside individuals and whole households, to optimise outcomes, working with compassion to breakdown barriers, unlock potential and create opportunities. When we first met Lucy, she was in a very bad place having arrived in Chippy with only a few bags after fleeing an abusive relationship. We were able to help her, providing furniture for her home, directing her to courses to help her process her story and regain her self-esteem and ensured her children had the support they needed in the primary school. Now, years later, she is developing her own business and the kids are in a much better place and on a journey to realising their own potential. Sadly this story is all too common. If you would like to help us support others like Lucy and her family please go to thebranchtrust/support-us (link in bio) or contact us at campaign@thebranchtrust.org. . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #LocalCharity #OxfordshireCharity #WestOxfordshire #ChippingNorton #CommunityOutreach #SupportingOurCommunity #FamiliesInNeed #UnlockingPotential #SupportLocalCharity #CotswoldCharity

Tune in to Radio Oxford on Sunday morning at 8am to hear Emma Kennedy talking about the difference Warm Spaces have made to individuals in our town and encouraging other churches and communities to join the initiative. . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #ChippingNorton #WarmSpaces #CommunityOutreach #OxfordshireCharity #RadioOxford #SupportingTheCommunity #MakingADifference #LocalCharity #ChristianCharity #WestOxfordshire #FamiliesInNeed #SupportLocalCharity

We had lots of fun yesterday at Minis with autumn leaves crafts and our messy play farmyard. We're taking a break for half term next week but will be back on Wednesday November 1st at 9.15am in St Mary's Parish Rooms. . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #MumAndBabyGroups #LocalPlaygroups #OxfordshirePlaygroups #ToddlerGroups #ChildrensActivities #PreSchoolPlay #ChippingNorton #WestOxfordshire #OxfordshireCharity #CommunityOutreach #AutumnCraftsForKids #KidsCraftIdeas

We know how important it is for parents and carers to get all the help they can to best support their children who might be struggling with their mental health. Please see details of support being offered in Chipping Norton in the coming weeks… . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #SelfHarmAwareness #YouthMentalHealth #MentalHealthSupport #OxfordshireCharity #Oxfordshire #WestOxfordshire #ChippingNorton #SupportLocalCharity #CotswoldCharity #MentalHealthIsHealth #YouthSupport

A verse from the well-known poem ‘Good Timber’ by Douglas Malloch reads: Good timber does not grow with ease: The stronger wind, the stronger trees; The further sky, the greater length; The more the storm, the more the strength. By sun and cold, by rain and snow, In trees and men good timbers grow. We’ve uncovered plenty of interesting timbers in our building works at The Branch (excuse the pun), perhaps not all of it “good”. We’ve found some dry and powdery, some cracked and broken, some eaten away by woodworm or showing tell-tale signs of Deathwatch Beetle, some spongy and wet from years of poor ventilation, some hacked away to make space for modern conveniences like strip lights, some missing altogether… but plenty more strong, long and hale. The oldest – in the main range floors or roof – date back to the 1750s (or even further, having already served a purpose in earlier buildings), some dating from when the building was extended in the 1860s, the youngest are much more recent including some from the 1980s when NatWest Bank remodelled the interior. Some of it is brutal and rudimentary, but much of it is elegant and even beautiful in form. With advice from our architects @acanthusclews of Banbury, our structural engineers @solid.engineering based here in Chippy, our heritage consultants Oxford Heritage Partnership and our timber specialist Lee Harper of @harperbuildingdiagnostics, we have surveyed, photographed, treated, repaired and strengthened what we can, replacing like-for-like where absolutely necessary. We have chosen to reveal whatever we can as part of the final ‘finishes’ of the building (including the ceiling joists in the ground-floor of the main range – our reception/function area – and the roof trusses of the main range above the staff room on the second floor). The Branch will give a new life to these old timbers, showing them off in their renewed glory. And our hope is that the Branch will also reveal, repair, restore, renew, celebrate and grow “good timbers” in the people that come through its doors. . . . #TheBranchTrust #StructuralEngineering #BuildingSiteBeauty #BuildingSitesOfInstagram #ChippingNorton #OxfordshireCharity

The Branch will help create Brighter Futures. How? By restoring local access to services under one roof; encouraging collaboration & partnership; working with compassion to help overcome barriers; building hope, opening up opportunity & unlocking potential. It’s an exciting journey, creating not only a legacy for the town but also a blueprint for others to follow. We would love you to be part of this journey. By becoming a Friend of The Branch you will be invited to events, receive regular updates and opportunities to volunteer be more deeply engaged in your community. To find out more go to thebranchtrust.org/support-us. (Link in bio) . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #BrighterFutures #LocalCharity #OxfordshireCharity #Oxfordshire #ChippingNorton #UnlockingPotential #CommunityOutreach #WestOxfordshire

Working in partnership is fundamental to our work at The Branch and we are so lucky to be able to work with @thrive_northox. This brilliant local charity, which is entirely run by volunteers is always responsive to any need and does everything to fulfill a referral. In the last few months, for The Branch alone, they have funded: piano lessons for two children, another term of Nurture Breakfast, replacement flooring for one family and carpets for another; counselling for a young person; holiday club so a mum could work in the summer; and lots of school uniform. Amazing! We love working with Thrive because they have such a can-do attitude and we thank them for all they do for this community. It is a great example of why collaborative working is so important and the differences that joining forces can make. Take a look at Thrive's website for more information: www.thrive-northox.co.uk. (Link in bio.) . . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #ChippingNorton #ThriveNorthOxfordshire #CharityPartnership #LocalCharity #OxfordshireCharities #WestOxfordshire #FamiliesInNeed #CommunityOutreach #SupportingTheCommunity #WorkingInPartnership #SupportingFamilies

Today on World Teachers Day we want to celebrate all of our amazing teachers in this community. As Nelson Mandela famously said: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." In these challenging times, teachers have emerged as beacons of resilience, adapting and innovating for their students. We are so grateful for each and every one of you and all your hard work, dedication and drive. THANK YOU!! . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #WorldTeachersDay #ThankYouTeachers #ChippingNorton #OxfordshireSchool #OxfordshireCharity #WestOxfordshire #CharitiesInSchools #SchoolPartnerships #Kingham #ChurchillOxfordshire #Enstone #LocalCharity #TeachAppreciation

At The Branch we love to find opportunities for intergenerational interactions and Full Circle, our nurture provision, is a great example of this. Up and running again for the first time since Covid four older members of our community and two group leaders will be joining six children in the Nurture Room to share lunch and enjoy an activity. The first two sessions were filled with laughter and happy chat and Yvonne Champion, who runs Full Circle, said: "The conversations, kindness and connections that you observe are so special. Getting to know the children and see them grow in confidence is a real privilege." Each generation learns from each other through their stories. A child excitedly told me yesterday that one of the volunteers once caught a shark. She was very impressed! Full Circle runs every week in our Nurture Room at St Mary's Primary School. For more information about our nurture provision please email Catherine Spring. . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #OxfordshireCharity #ChippingNorton #SchoolPartnerships #IntergenerationalInteractions #CharityInSchools #Oxfordshire #WestOxfordshire #NurtureForChildren #NurtureAndGrow #LocalCharity #OxfordshireSchools

We love to create spaces which bring the community together, where we can share together, learn together and from one another, create together. Our recent art exhibition at Chippy Theatre showcased the amazing creations that are possible when we work together. We have consulted with many local groups to ensure The Branch will be a fully accessible space. As the building begins to take shape inside we are increasingly excited about what it will offer! . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #WorkingTogether #CreatingTogether #ASpaceForAll #CommunitySpace #CommunityOutreach #CommunityHall #ChippingNorton #CharityArtExhibition #AmateurArtExhibition #ChippingNortonTheatre #WestOxfordshire #Oxfordshire #OxfordshireCharity #LearnTogether #MeetingSpaceOxfordshire

We were so excited to start our new @capuk_org Life Skills group last week. We have a full course and we are so thankful for the amazing team who have returned to help, this is the 9th Life Skills group we have run! At Life Skills, group members learn and share skills around budgeting, cooking, managing the home, improving wellbeing and building healthy relationships. The group also aims to boost confidence and decision making skills and provides a relaxed space to make new friends over coffee and lunch. We are very excited to be able to offer some bonus parenting sessions for those with children on this group, we will let you know how it goes. We have some fantastic material to use from the charity 'Kid's Matter' and hope this will become a regular feature of the groups. . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #ChristiansAgainstPoverty #CAPUK #CAPLifeSkills #WestOxfordshire #OxfordshireCharity #ChippingNorton #CommunityOutreach #SupportingTheCommunity #LocalCharity #Oxfordshire #ChurchillOxfordshire #SalfordOxfordshire #BudgetingTips #CookingOnABudget #FinancialSupport #CostOfLivingCrisis

A new year in the Nurture Room We are very excited that the Nurture Room is now back in full swing! This term 50 children from age groups across the school will be part of weekly sessions enjoying a range of different activities including Nurture Breakfast, sessions with Sally and Sarah, Nurture Gardening, Full Circle and music sessions. It is so wonderful to be able to offer the children this space to be themselves and feel connected with others. Last week at Nurture Breakfast, as 11 children of all ages sat together eating breakfast, chatting and laughing, one child commented: "It's like we are one big family sitting together!", and that is exactly what the Nurture Room is all about - allowing the children to feel part of something and to feel loved and accepted. We look forward to sharing more stories from the Nurture Room in the coming weeks. . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #NurtureRoom #NurturingChildren #NurtureAndGrow #CharityPartnerships #CommunityOutreach #LocalCharity #ChippingNorton #WestOxfordshire #OxfordshireSchools #Kingham #Enstone #HookNorton #OxfordshireCharity

With the change of season (and weather), the priority is now to get the new Community Hall roof weathertight… The breathable membrane is fitted, and battening and tiling of the roof and walls commences this week. Watch this space! . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #ConstructionSite #Oxfordshire #BuildUpdate #CharityBuilding #CommunityHall #LocalCharity #SupportingTheCommunity #CommunityOutreach #WestOxfordshire #ChippingNorton #CommunityGroups #UnlockingPotential #FamiliesInNeed #BuildingABetterFuture #OxfordshireCharity #SupportingCharity #CharityProject

The wonderful Branch Summer Exhibition drew to a close with a private view for Branch supporters. The theme of the exhibition was ‘Connection’ and we love connecting with all those who are journeying with us to help bring transformation to our community. Swipe through the carousel to see some of the fantastic artwork which was on display. We are so grateful to everyone who has supported our work. Huge thanks too to @chippytheatre for hosting the exhibition and the private view, we love working with you! Supporting us through regular monthly donations makes such a huge difference for our work, giving us confidence to plan ahead and prioritise assistance where is most needed. If you would like to get involved with supporting our work we would love to hear from you. More details can be found via the link in our bio. . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #CharityArtExhibition #ChippingNortonTheatre #AmateurArtExhibition #LocalCharityEvent #SupportLocalCharity #Kingham #CommunityOutreach #CommunityEvents #ChristianCharity #OxfordshireCharity #Oxfordshire #WestOxfordshire #DomesticViolenceSupport #WomensMentalHealthSupport #ArtAsTherapy

We hope you had a chance to visit the Branch Summer Exhibition at Chipping Norton Theatre's Owen Mumford Gallery over the summer. We had a wonderful time chatting to some of you at the two private viewing events and it has been lovely to hear the feedback about the art. If you didn't manage to get to the exhibition there is now a chance to see some of the artwork which is currently on display in Witney. Witney Town Council have kindly given us their display windows at 51b Market Square for the whole of September so if you are in the centre of town do look out for it. . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #CharityArtExhibition #ArtDisplay #AmateurArtExhibition #CommunityOutreach #ChippingNorton #OxfordshireCharity #ArtAsTherapy #SupportGroups #OxfordshireCharity #WestOxfordshire #MentalHealthAwareness #WomensMentalHealth #MentalHealthMatters

We love to work with compassion, creativity and collaboration at the heart of the community. Collaboration is one of our core values. Much of our work has grown out of collaboration with schools, statutory services and local organisations. We recognise the power of working together to improve outcomes and build a stronger community. If you would like to partner with us to support and strengthen our community please get in touch. We are currently seeking opportunities to develop mutually beneficial partnerships with local businesses around the activities that we will offer through The Branch. If you would like to get involved please contact us at campaign@thebranchtrust.org. . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #CollaborativeWork #OxfordshireCharity #CharityPartnerships #ChippingNorton #CoreValues #LocalCharity #SupportLocalCharity #CommunityOutreach #Collaboraton #CommunityFirst #WestOxfordshire #Kingham #Enstone #HookNorton #Daylesford

Today is Youth Mental Health Awareness Day and this year the theme is #BeBrave. Did you know that in the last three years, the likelihood of young people having a mental health problem has increased by 50% (Good Childhood Report, The Children's Society) and according to The Mental Health Foundation, 50% of mental health problems are established by age 14 and 75% by age 24. It is statistics like these that drive The Branch to find innovative ways to support and empower young people and today we want to celebrate the young people that we work with. Through our mentoring programme and Branch Out to Cook we see young people facing immense challenges and pressures with inspiring bravery. So today in honour of all of our young people what will you do that's brave? . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #LocalCharity #OxfordshireCharity #ymhd23 #CommunityOutreach #OxfordshireYouth #YouthServices #ChippingNorton #YouthMentalHealthDay #YouthOfToday #Kingham #WestOxfordshire #CharityPartnerships #SupportingTheCommunity #CommunityHub

This Summer holidays children had an opportunity to spend three incredible weeks with @kitebrook_preparatory_school . During that time kids were gaining valuable knowledge and learning skills in the morning classes, playing lots of amazing outdoor sports games with @justcamps_kitebrook and of course making new friendships. A huge thank you to Kitebrook for partnering to make such a difference! If you would be interested in supporting The Branch or making a donation towards any aspect of our work please refer to bio or contact us at campaign@thebranchtrust.org. . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #ChippingNortonCharity #LocalCharity #OxfordshireCharity #KitebrookPreSchool #Oxfordshire #WestOxfordshire #SchoolPartnerships #CharityPartnerships #SupportingTheCommunity #UnlockingPotential #OxfordshireYouth #CommunityOutreach #SummerHolidayCampsUK #HolidayCamps #FamiliesInNeed #SupportingFamilies

While our roofers have been working hard repairing and re-tiling various roofs – and enjoying this better weather – our bricklayers and carpenters been busy transforming the new Community Hall building from the gaunt steel frame ‘exoskeleton’ of a month ago (see post of 4th August) into something that gives a real feeling of interior space. The Hall itself (upper level) will be large enough for up to 60 people to sit down together and eat a meal (cooked in our Community Kitchen), while the rentable office space (lower level) will be able to accommodate up to 18 co-workers in comfortable surroundings and with a well-equipped kitchenette to hand. Both spaces will be bright and airy, offering a view across the Cotswold Hills towards Salford or into the garden area. Great progress! Philip Sharman . . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #CommuntySpace #CommunityHub #CommunityServices #LocalCharity #WestOxfordshire #OxfordshireCharity #ConstructionSite #CharityBuilding #ChippingNorton #Oxfordshire #BuildingProgress

The Branch exists to break down barriers, unlock potential and create opportunities. We seek to serve everyone, drawing alongside for the long-term, building hope and transforming lives. When we first met Victoria she was fleeing a coercive relationship, with a baby in her arms and having lost all hope. We worked with her to move her to safe place she now calls home and signposted her to a course supporting victims of domestic violence which, as she says, gave her ‘a realistic shot at actually achieving my dreams.’ She has since resumed and completed her professional exams as is back on track to realising her potential! . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #ChippingNorton #UnlockingPotential #CommunitySupportService #CommunityOutreach #LocalCharity #ChristianCharity #WestOxfordshire #Oxfordshire #Kingham #ChurchillOxfordshire #Daylesford #OxfordshireCharity #DomesticViolenceSupport

Our groups will return week commencing Monday 11th September with Connect on Tuesday, Minis on Wednesday and Remix on Friday. Our next Life Skills course will also begin on Monday 11th for those who have already signed up. If you have any questions please contact us at the appropriate email address on our posters. . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #CommunityOutreach #YouthGroup #ChildrensGroups #PlaygroupOxfordshire #OxfordshireCharity #ChippingNorton #LocalCharity #LocalGroups #WestOxfordshire

A recent YouGov RealTime survey found that, of 10 phobias asked about, a fear of heights (‘acrophobia’) is the one that people in the UK are most likely to suffer from, with 23% saying it affects them. This narrowly beats a fear of spiders (‘arachnophobia’) into second place (21%) and is well ahead of a fear of public speaking, snakes, enclosed spaces, going to the dentist, flying, needles, clowns and dogs. If you are in that 23%, you might not enjoy these pictures taken from the two chimneys atop The Branch (and for that I apologise). For those that aren’t, the pictures show the extent of our cantilevered scaffolding over Range A at the rear of the building, the view to the Town Hall and West Street beyond, and a glimpse to the northwest taking in the Church. Thanks to Gary, our site manager, for allowing me up there! Philip Sharman . . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #OxfordshireCharity #CharityBuildingProject #CommunityHub #LocalCharity #ChippingNorton #ConstructionSite #WestOxfordshire #SupportingTheCommunity #CommunityServices #RooftopViews #ConstructionProgress #ConstructionUpdate

The Branch will offer flexible rentable work space for businesses and sole traders. We would love to encourage anybody who is in need of a central well-appointed office space to work from, with garden access, to get in touch. If you would like to book a space or find out more about this please don’t hesitate to get in touch at office@thebranchtrust.org. . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #OfficeSpaceToRent #OxfordshireOfficeSpace #WestOxfordshire #LocalCharity #CommunityHub #SupportingTheCommunity #SupportLocal #OxfordshireBusinesses #ChippingNorton #Kingham #ChurchillOxfordshire #Enstone #Daylesford #OxfordshireCharity #WorkspaceToRent

Today I got to go up on various roofs of The Branch to see work being done by our roofers (Attleys Roofing Ltd of Banbury). Not everyone’s idea of fun I know, but I loved it… and the views were great! Apart from discussions about the state of some of the timbers in Range A (constructed around 1750 and probably using second-hand timbers then) and how to repair/replace them, I felt amazingly free of troubles up there. It reminded me of that great 1960s song ‘Up on the Roof’ by Carole King and Gerry Goffin, the verse that goes… “Right smack dab in the middle of town, I’ve found a paradise that’s trouble proof, (up on the roof), And if this world starts getting you down, There’s room enough for two, Up on the roof (up on the roof).” While the roofs of The Branch will be strictly out of bounds once it opens, I hope that every bit of the building beneath them will be ‘a paradise that’s trouble proof’ for those that come in through its doors! Philip Sharman . . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #OxfordshireCharity #Rooftops #HistoricBuildingRenovation #HistoricBuilding #CotswoldCharity #CommunityHub #CommunityServices #WestOxfordshire #RenovationProgress #BuildingSite #ChippingNorton #Enstone #Kingham #SavvyGroup #UpOnTheRoof #ConstructionWork

The Branch will have a beautifully and thoughtfully designed garden space, providing the opportunity to expand our therapeutic horticulture work, encouraging engagement with our natural surroundings and promoting new skills. The garden will include a nurture pod – promoting creativity and engagement with the arts, as well as outdoor cooking facilities to help the young, and others, enjoy the garden. . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #LocalCharity #OxfordshireCharity #CommunityOutreach #SupportingTheCommunity #ChippingNorton #Kingham #Daylesford #WestOxfordshire #ChurchillChippingNorton #OverNorton #HookNorton #ReleasingPotential #CharityGarden #CommunityFacilities #BreakingDownBarriers

A further update on the build: As well as in the new Community Hall, building work is moving forward quickly elsewhere on site… The ground floor joists have gone in on the rebuilt section of the building (south side), with the bricklayers now working on raising the back wall between ground and first floor levels! . . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #TheBranchChippingNorton #CommunityHub #CommunityOutreach #LocalCharity #CharityProject #OxfordshireCharity #LocalSupportGroups #BuildingRenovationUK #HistoricBuildingRenovation #SupportingTheCommunity #ChippingNorton #WestOxfordshire

The Branch is about promoting CONNECTION within our community. We have consulted at length within the community and with the statutory and voluntary services that we network concerning the design of the building to ensure it will be fit for purpose. In response to demand, The Branch will offer small 1:1 meeting rooms and larger meeting rooms with flexible seating and projection facilities. These rooms will be available to rent on a regular or flexible basis. For more information please contact office@thebranchtrust.org. . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #LocalCharity #CommunityHub #ChippingNorton #CommunityOutreach #SupportingTheCommunity #OxfordshireCharity #WestOxfordshireBusinesses #OxfordshireOfficeSpace #Kingham #ChurchillOxfordshire #SupportLocalCharity #TheBranchChippingNorton #RemovingBarriers #ReleasingPotential

Following completion of the steel frame, work is moving forward quickly on the Community Hall part of our building project. This picture shows the ‘beam & block’ flooring and suspended drainage are installed at ground level, and the timber joists for the first-floor level nearly all in place. Scaffolding is being erected around the perimeter of the hall to allow block/brickwork walling and stud-walling to be built. . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #LocalCharity #SupportLocalCharity #OxfordshireCharity #CharityBuilding #OutreachProject #CommunityOutreach #SupportingTheCommunity #ChippingNorton #WestOxfordshire #UnlockingPotential #BuildingRenovationUpdate #ConstructionSiteUK #CommuniutyHub #CommunityProject #HistoricBuildings #SteelFrame #TheBranchChippingNorton #SteelConstruction

The Branch is being created to provide a strong network of support for those in need in our town and surrounding villages. Drawing on experience of working in the community over the last 9 years, we know that The Branch will make a difference… not just by broadening access to the courses, sign-posting, help desks and social action support that we provide, but also by enabling and strengthening partnerships. Christians Against Poverty’s Debt Centre, run in partnership with St Mary’s Church has already helped 60 families in Chipping Norton. In just the last year, 9 families are now living debt free – a completely transformational experience for a family. We are so excited about the potential The Branch brings to expand our reach, and to promote greater collaboration with other agencies, charities and businesses to support the local community. . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #LocalCharity #ChippingNorton #OxfordshireCharity #FamiliesInPoverty #DebtCentre #CAPUK #ChristiansAgainstPoverty #CommunityOutreach #WestOxfordshire #SupportingTheCommunity #SupportLocalCharity #CharityFundraising

There was an excited buzz at the launch of The Branch Summer Exhibition on Friday as the artists gathered to see their work on display and celebrate together. The exhibition opens to the public from today until 31st August so make sure you pop in and see what can be achieved when people connect through creativity. Open one hour before theatre performances and events and 1pm - 3pm on Saturdays at Chipping Norton Theatre, 2 Spring Street, Chipping Norton. A massive thank you to @chippytheatre for inviting us to exhibit. . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #TheBranchChippingNorton #ChippyTheatre #ChippingNorton #CharityArtExhibition #CommunityOutreachProject #FosteringConnection #ArtForMentalHealth #ArtAsTherapy #LocalCharity #OxfordshireCharity #LocalSupportGroups #WomensSupportGroups #ConnectionIsKey #ConnectionMatters #WestOxfordshire

Big news! We have now passed the halfway point on the redevelopment of The Branch. A significant milestone. As the project gets 'out of ground', we are praying for a 'fair wind' ahead! In the last 7 months: 656 tonnes of demolition rubble and 720 tonnes of soil have been extracted - coming up on conveyor belts to exit through a window 104 cubic metres (260 tonnes) of concrete plus a lot of other materials have gone the other way to level the floors, making easy access for all. The image below gives an indication of the journey ahead as the new hall begins to emerge, providing Oxfordshire's first Community Kitchen with 10 mobile cooking stations, and flexible rentable office space on the garden floor below. . . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #LocalCharity #RenovationProject #RenovationUpdate #RenovationHalfwayPoint #ConstructionSite #ChippingNorton #CotswoldCharity #OxfordshireCharity #CommunityOutreach #CommunityHall #CommunitySupportGroups #HistoricBuildingRedevelopment #WestOxfordshire

Yesterday a team of us hung the artwork for the exhibition and it was so exciting to see it all come together in one space. The process that all those involved in preparing this exhibition have been through is such a testament to what The Branch is about: connecting with others, sharing time and lives together, and discovering and celebrating new skills and gifts. This is perfectly summed up by the text that accompanies one of the pieces: "You will notice the tea stains, the chocolate biscuit smudges and perhaps a stray cake crumb or two that are just a hint of the laughter, stories, encouragement and even tears that were shared around the table as this piece was created." We hope that you will come and enjoy the culmination of this journey, the exhibition, and that it fills you with excitement too for all that is to come when The Branch opens its doors. . . . . . . . . . . #TheBranchTrust #TheBranchExhibition #CharityArtExhibition #ArtAsTherapy #CommunityOutreach #ChippingNorton #WestOxfordshire #OxfordshireCharity #Kingham #ChippingNortonTheatre #UnlockingPotentional #Enstone #SupportLocalCharity #LocalCharity #LocalSupportGroups #WomensArt #FosteringCreativity