Happy Birthday to us!
Community Action Groups Oxfordshire Celebrates 25 Years!
Photos by Jason Warner, Fyrefly Studios.
On Tuesday, 22 September, Community Action Groups (CAG) Oxfordshire hosted its 25th Anniversary Celebration at St John’s College, Oxford. The event celebrated the past and present contributions of the groups and individuals who have made the CAG network what it is today, while providing a positive moment for celebration and connection for local community champions.
Since 2001, CAG Oxfordshire has facilitated and supported a network of now over 130 community action groups across Oxfordshire working on themes such as waste, transport, food, energy, biodiversity and social justice.
Since 2019 – including through the pandemic – groups have engaged more than half a million people in events and activities and provided more than half a million volunteer hours. These efforts have generated more than £26 million in value to the county through volunteer hours and fundraising income.
Guests at the celebration included CAG member groups, some who have been in the network right from the start, and some who were new to the network this year, as well as current and former staff, Board members and supporters from Oxfordshire County Council and the District Councils. The gathering provided networking opportunities for these stakeholders and helped maintain CAG's positive profile as a network rooted in local communities. Attendees were also treated to a retrospective panel, the debut of a new film that captures the efforts of community groups across the county and later on, live music from local band One Trick Donkey.
Watch our new film:
STRONGER GREENER FAIRER: 25 Years of Community Action Groups Oxfordshire
Martin Reeves, Chief Executive of Oxfordshire County Council, addressed the attendees to acknowledge the dedication and the importance of community action groups.
“For 25 years, the CAG network has shown what can be achieved when passionate people come together to make their communities greener, happier and more resilient.
“Its members are local champions, giving their time, energy and ideas to improve the places where they live and to support neighbours across Oxfordshire.
“On behalf of Oxfordshire County Council, I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this remarkable network and congratulate CAG Oxfordshire on this important milestone.”
Looking ahead, Katherine Chesson, Director of CAG Oxfordshire, set a challenge for the network's next 25 years, calling for more innovation, peer support, and joined-up working:
Katherine Says
“It has been, and continues to be, an absolute privilege to work alongside the incredible CAG groups across our county. Reaching this 25-year milestone is a testament to their unwavering dedication. As we look to the next quarter-century, the challenges we face require us to be even bolder, recognising the intersection of climate, social, and economic justice. Our community groups are the beating heart of local action, and they remain absolutely critical to building the sustainable, resilient, and thriving future that Oxfordshire envisions for itself.”
We'd like to thank our sponsors for this event:
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