Volunteer Link Up

17/05/2026

We’re really excited to share the launch of the Small and Mighty Support Programme 🎉

This four-year partnership brings together Community First Oxfordshire , OCVA, Oxford Community Action, Volunteer Link Up (West Oxfordshire) and Charity Mentors Oxfordshire to support small and micro community organisations across Oxfordshire.
Small organisations are the bedrock of Oxfordshire’s voluntary and community sector - making up 75% of our voluntary sector - and many are run almost entirely by volunteers. They do amazing work, often under a lot of pressure.
The programme is based on conversations with local groups as part of last year’s Small and Mighty Research Report. They told us that they needed more support with voice, volunteering, partnerships and organisational development.
Over the next four years, the Small and Mighty Programme will offer:
- Advice and support outreach clinics
- Collaboration and networking opportunities
- Volunteer showcases
- Mentoring support and training sessions

All of which will be tailored to the specific needs of the smallest community organisations. Phone and online help and advice will be available soon and the first support clinics and sessions will be launching this summer

Thank you to The National Lottery Community Fund for funding this work and helping make this support possible.

17/05/2026

16/04/2026

Volunteer Link Up would like to make it clear we have no ties or links with Volunteer Driver Services Oxfordshire. Volunteer driver service is a community interest company, not a charity. Volunteer Link Up is a registered charity (charity number : 1133530).
We operate a community transportation service to the residents of West Oxfordshire. Our volunteers were recently awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service because of their dedication to their volunteering. Our 130 DBS checked volunteers drivers are all local resident’s and at any one time we have approximately 1,000 West Oxfordshire based clients. Clients pay our drivers 45p per mile to cover their expenses, there are no other admin or registration fees.
Please contact us on 01993 776277 if you need help with transportation or if you would like to become a volunteer driver.
We have had feedback that some confusion exists with some West Oxfordshire residents, hopefully this post clears this up.

30/03/2026

We are pleased to announce our recent rebrand and hope you like our new logo as much as we do.

This comes just ahead of the launch of our new website, with further details to follow shortly.

10/03/2026

SaM Support is coming to Oxfordshire!

We are very excited to announce that we have been awarded a grant by The National Lottery Community Fund to help us support our most valued micro and small voluntary and community groups in Oxfordshire.

The Small and Mighty (SaM) Support Programme is a partnership of local infrastructure and voluntary support organisations (OCVA, Community First Oxfordshire Oxford Community Action, Volunteer Link Up West Oxfordshire) and Charity Mentors Oxfordshire) to enhance and build on our existing support and advice specifically for the smallest VCFSE organisations (75% of our VCFSE sector in the county). Over the next 4-years, we will hold outreach advice and support clinics in rural and urban areas, collaboration and networking opportunities, volunteer showcases, mentoring support and tailored training sessions.

This programme of support was designed by what people said in last year’s Small and Mighty Research Report, which highlighted that needs were unmet in all areas of infrastructure support (voice, volunteering, partnerships and development) for most micro and small voluntary organisations.

Before we launch in May 2026, we will be going out to recruit for a Programme Manager and two Community Development Workers – details will be out for these roles very soon!

24/02/2026

We are looking for befriending volunteers to join us based in Witney.
Could you spare one hour a week to become a befriender?
Contact us now to find out more details!

15/12/2025

We’re delighted to share that several of our CTA members have been honoured with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service this year — the highest UK award given to local volunteer groups. Huge congratulations to:

Volunteer Link Up, West Oxfordshire
Active8 Youth Disability Charity, Cornwall
Volunteer Action East Northamptonshire

We’d also like to recognise other community transport organisations who received the award, including Exmoor Community Bus Association and Irlam, Cadishead, Rixton with Glazebrook Volunteer Driver Service, and Bob The Bus. Their dedication reflects the incredible impact volunteers make in keeping communities connected.

15/12/2025

Thank you to all our volunteers who helped us receive the Kings Award for Voluntary Service!

10/12/2025

We recently hosted our AGM with our annual volunteer social and awards event. Thank you to all our volunteers for attending and congratulations to all those receiving awards.