{"id":1926,"date":"2025-11-27T15:35:21","date_gmt":"2025-11-27T15:35:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/?p=1926"},"modified":"2025-12-04T14:49:00","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T14:49:00","slug":"oxford-city-councils-matching-event-bringing-local-organisations-together-for-practical-purpose-driven-collaboration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/index.php\/2025\/11\/27\/oxford-city-councils-matching-event-bringing-local-organisations-together-for-practical-purpose-driven-collaboration\/","title":{"rendered":"Oxford City Council&#8217;s matching event: Bringing local organisations together for practical, purpose-driven collaboration"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"http:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Oxford-logo-1024x680.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1929\" style=\"width:756px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Oxford-logo-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Oxford-logo-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Oxford-logo-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Oxford-logo.jpg 1340w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>At the start of November, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oxford.gov.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Oxford City Council<\/a> welcomed more than <strong>30 local organisations<\/strong> at Oxford Town Hall for a&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/matchmyproject.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Match My Project<\/a> networking event<\/strong>&nbsp;designed to strengthen <strong>connections between businesses and community groups<\/strong> for Social Value collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:13px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Setting the Scene: Why Match My Project Matters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The event opened with Oxford City Council\u2019s&nbsp;<strong>Head of Economy, City Centre and Green Transport<\/strong>, who set the tone by highlighting the city\u2019s commitment to building a&nbsp;<strong>fairer, more inclusive local economy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our CEO, Dan Ebanks, and our delivery manager, Susanna, followed with an introduction to&nbsp;<strong>Match My Project<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 <strong>why the platform exists<\/strong>, <strong>how it works<\/strong>, and how it helps local businesses and community organisations connect to deliver <strong>meaningful, targeted and community-led Social Value<\/strong>. In turn, this supports the community organisations that strengthen our local areas and help drive a more inclusive society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1762420823364-1024x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"Photo of attendees gathered for the Oxford City Council matching event, facing a presenter and screen at the front of the room.\" class=\"wp-image-1934\" srcset=\"https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1762420823364-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1762420823364-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1762420823364-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1762420823364-768x768.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1762420823364.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Real stories, real impact: two successful matches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the highlights of the afternoon came from organisations already using the platform to collaborate:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:20px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/acetraining.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>ACE Training &amp; Consultancy Ltd<\/strong><\/a> shared their experience working with <a href=\"http:\/\/thomasnursery.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>St. Thomas Day Nursery<\/strong><\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.knightbuild.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Knight Build Limited<\/a><\/strong> spoke about their project with <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/a2dominion.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">A2Dominion Group<\/a><\/strong>, illustrating how construction businesses can meaningfully engage with social impact initiatives.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Both case studies highlighted the practical benefits of using a matching platform to build structured, <strong>outcome-focused collaborations<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:13px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Live Pitches From Local VCFSE Organisations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Three Oxford charities delivered short pitches to showcase their current needs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspireoxfordshire.org\/]\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Aspire Oxfordshire<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/oxfordgatehouse.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Gatehouse Oxford<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/oxpip.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">OXPIP \u2013 The Oxford Parent Infant Project<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These pitches helped businesses quickly understand where their skills, resources, or capacity could make a tangible difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"825\" src=\"http:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1000017896-copy-1024x825.jpg\" alt=\"Jenny Bowley, CEO of OCVA, with Match My Project CEO &amp; Co-founder, Dan Ebanks during the Oxford City Council Matching Event.\" class=\"wp-image-1927\" srcset=\"https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1000017896-copy-1024x825.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1000017896-copy-300x242.jpg 300w, https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1000017896-copy-768x619.jpg 768w, https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1000017896-copy-1536x1237.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1000017896-copy-2048x1650.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1000017896-copy-1568x1263.jpg 1568w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Closing reflections<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The event concluded with a <strong>focused networking <\/strong>session that enabled attendees to form new connections and explore ideas for future collaboration. It was a clear demonstration of the value of bringing organisations together in a structured setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The high level of engagement, from lively conversations to genuine enthusiasm, highlighted how effective these environments can be for building relationships and supporting meaningful knowledge-sharing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One week later, the momentum continued with a&nbsp;<strong>Match My Project webinar hosted by Jenny <\/strong>(pictured above)<strong> from OCVA<\/strong>, an organisation that&nbsp;supports and empowers volunteers, networks, partnerships, and non-profit organisations of all size. Her session provided <strong>practical guidance for local community organisations<\/strong> wanting to get started on the platform. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can read OCVA\u2019s full write-up here: <a href=\"https:\/\/ocva.org.uk\/2025\/11\/19\/match-my-project-answering-the-questions-and-spreading-the-word\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Match My Project: Answering the questions and spreading the word<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:13px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get involved<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Are you a supplier or community organisation based in Oxford?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sign up to Oxford City Council&#8217;s site <a href=\"https:\/\/matchmyproject.org\/oxford\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>. It&#8217;s free, quick and connects community projects with local suppliers.<a href=\"\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">Have questions? Reach out at <a href=\"mailto:hello@matchmyproject.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">hello@matchmyproject.org<\/a> \ud83d\udc8c<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At the start of November, Oxford City Council welcomed more than 30 local organisations at Oxford Town Hall for a&nbsp;Match My Project networking event&nbsp;designed to strengthen connections between businesses and community groups for Social Value collaboration. Setting the Scene: Why Match My Project Matters The event opened with Oxford City Council\u2019s&nbsp;Head of Economy, City Centre [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1934,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,6,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1926","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-authority","category-local-impact","category-partnership","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1926"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1926"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1926\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2003,"href":"https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1926\/revisions\/2003"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1934"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1926"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1926"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1926"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}