Who we are
ORCC is a charity that brings together people who care about local village life. In everything we do we focus on ‘helping people to help themselves’.
Founded in 1920, ORCC is the oldest Rural Community Council in the country. Over the years, the needs of rural Oxfordshire have changed a lot, yet some problems - housing, transport, availability of services – have never gone away.
There are new challenges too – the ageing population, rising fuel prices, climate change, and increasingly centralised services. At the same time, the pool of volunteers – who have always done so much to contribute to village life – may shrink in future as people have to work for longer.
So is there are future for our villages? We firmly believe so. Oxfordshire’s rural communities are alive and well, and between them run nearly 300 village halls; around 70 community transport schemes; more community-run village shops than any other county; and many communities are busy with parish plans and small affordable housing schemes for local people. Add to this an endless list of clubs and societies, fetes and events - these all help to make our villages strong, thriving and caring places to live.
Our website tells you a whole lot more about the range of things that we’re involved in, all over Oxfordshire - so read on!
Founded in 1920, ORCC is the oldest Rural Community Council in the country. Over the years, the needs of rural Oxfordshire have changed a lot, yet some problems - housing, transport, availability of services – have never gone away.
There are new challenges too – the ageing population, rising fuel prices, climate change, and increasingly centralised services. At the same time, the pool of volunteers – who have always done so much to contribute to village life – may shrink in future as people have to work for longer.
So is there are future for our villages? We firmly believe so. Oxfordshire’s rural communities are alive and well, and between them run nearly 300 village halls; around 70 community transport schemes; more community-run village shops than any other county; and many communities are busy with parish plans and small affordable housing schemes for local people. Add to this an endless list of clubs and societies, fetes and events - these all help to make our villages strong, thriving and caring places to live.
Our website tells you a whole lot more about the range of things that we’re involved in, all over Oxfordshire - so read on!