A guide to services and advice from the council, as well as local and national organisations, to help during the winter months.
Community Support
September 9, 2025
Wantage community hospital refurbishment ready to start following successful funding bid
Following a successful bid to the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) fund administered by Vale of White Horse District Council, work is now ready to start on refurbishing the ground floor of Wantage Community Hospital.
June 18, 2025
Community is our superpower this Refugee Week
As part of Refugee Week, we’re shining a light on those who support people seeking sanctuary and thanking communities for all they do. The work we do to help people access accommodation and provide community integration support for guests from Ukraine, Afghanistan and Hong Kong is part of a huge team effort across the county involving a wide […]
August 22, 2024
Marking Ukraine Independence Day, councils continue to provide sanctuary to Ukrainians.
Ahead of Ukraine Independence Day on 24 August council leaders share their statements: Cllr Bethia Thomas, Leader at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “Our support for Ukrainians remains steadfast and heartfelt as we continue to provide sanctuary for Ukrainian households living in the Vale. I’m so proud of the huge efforts from residents, […]
July 22, 2024
Local charities given helping hand with lottery funds
Sustainable Shrivenham and Abingdon Music Centre are two of 10 local charities whose community work has received a boost of unrestricted funding thanks to the White Horse Community Lottery. Marking its third anniversary this month (July) since its launch by Vale of White Horse District Council, the lottery has raised £82,975 and helped local organisations, […]
May 24, 2024
Volunteers are inspirational, we want to say a big “thank you”
Cabinet members of Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire district councils have offered their thanks and gratitude to the thousands of inspirational volunteers across both districts ahead of volunteers’ week. To mark the 40th anniversary of annual Volunteers’ Week, which takes place from 3 – 9 June, the councils will be taking the “time to […]
February 13, 2024
Securing a sustainable future for The Beacon Arts Centre and Community Centre
Robust plans are being prepared this month to secure a sustainable and ‘best value’ future for The Beacon Arts and Community Centre. The arts and community centre has provided Wantage and the surrounding areas with an important and lively focus for arts and the community since 2014. The Beacon supports the wellbeing of residents by […]
September 12, 2023
Free facility hire launched for Wellington Gate community
Wellington Gate residents and non-profit organisations can now apply to hire free local facilities and event space to help connect the community. Vale of White Horse District Council has secured funding from local developer, Persimmon Homes (Wessex), to help community groups access local facilities while plans for a new Community Hub are being finalised. Local […]
July 25, 2023
£155k of longer-term funding for vital information and advice services
Organisations based in the Vale of White Horse who provide vital information, advice and outreach services can now apply for up to five years of funding, thanks to a new grant scheme. Vale of White Horse District Council has launched the £154,920 partnership grant to help ensure that information and advice organisations who help people […]
June 21, 2023
Ukrainian housing officer Olha now helping others find their feet
Supporting Refugee Week, Olha, who works as part of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils’ Ukraine Support, shares her experience leaving Ukraine, arriving in the UK, finding work and accommodation, and settling in her family to life in the UK. Olha arrived in the UK in May 2022 and came to the […]
