About Volunteer Link Up
We are very proud to announce that our dedicated volunteers have been awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service!
This is the volunteers’ award. Thank you for the positive difference you make to so many people’s lives. All basic information available, Contact us for further details. New website under construction.
We link people who want to help others with those in their community who need some support. Our volunteers drive, befriend and help with practical tasks like shopping and gardening. We can offer advice about working with volunteers to other organisations.
We can help people find volunteering opportunities with organisations that need their help. Our services have been adapted to be Covid-19 secure as we continue to support our community.
We have been going 40 years this year, have a read about our history below.
Our 40 year history
1983 – The new volunteer bureau set up by Nikki Chase. The aim was to provide a link between those who need help and those who have the time to provide help. The official launch was in March 83.
1986 – VLU became an independent agency with the help of finance from the Local Development Agency.
1988 – With the prospect of closure, it was thought that funds should be raised locally. A public slide show for West Oxfordshire businesses and local civic leaders helped to attract financial support.
1996 – We moved to our current office in High Street Methodist Church, Witney and an OCC grant helped to cover running costs.
2003 – VLU accreditation as a volunteer centre awarded by Volunteering England. Received a Gold Award due to a 100% score on all aspects required. This was presented to VLU by Witney MP David Cameron.
2004 – Witney MP David Cameron presented long service awards.
2008 – 25th anniversary celebration at Langdale Hall. Long service awards were presented by Lord Hurd. There was lottery funding to cover running costs.
2012 – First GNS coordinator appointed as a result of AgeUK subcontracting the work to VLU.
2018 – WOBA charity award winner (West Oxfordshire Business Awards) and awarded Best Group in West Oxfordshire by the Oxfordshire charity and volunteer awards.
2020 – During the national lockdown, all staff worked from home. They continued to support clients, volunteers and be-frienders.
2021 – We organise weekly food deliveries in conjunction with Witney Fridge.
2023 – We are striving to promote the VLU and bring in more volunteers that can help our customers.
If you can help volunteer or need help then feel free to contact us.
Our team
Barry Beadle
Manager
Most importantly Barry is here to support the excellent work which is carried out by paid staff and volunteers at Volunteer Link Up. Barry represents the organisation at meetings, as part of wider networking activities with voluntary and statutory organisations, who may support, or be supported by Volunteer Link Up. Barry is also responsible for fundraising and reporting on the use of funds, he works closely with the Board of Trustees.
Our Trustees
Oversight is provided by our board of trustees and in line with the standards set out at by the charity commission.
You can read more about VLU on the charity commission’s website here.
Should you wish to contact the trustees, please submit an enquiry via the contact page or call the team at the number below.