On Thursday 16 April, we were delighted to host a corporate volunteering day, where an amazing team helped us move items from our barn into our new spaces. We’ve been using this barn since 2020, and each year we work with wonderful corporate volunteers to organise and/or clear it out. This year, we got a fantastic head start!

As Cherwell Collective continues to grow and expand, days like this are essential. Volunteers from across different areas of the organisation came together to support us, including a brilliant team of six from Mills & Reeve. By sharing tasks and working collaboratively, they helped us clear more than half of the barn, giving us a strong foundation to finish the job.

Their teamwork, energy, and problem solving skills were invaluable. It was clear they brought both “muscle and brain” to the day!

The group provided much-needed support across several key areas of our work, including the Oxford Party Library, Waterperry Opera projects, our new office space, and garden resources.

What is the Oxford Party Library?

If you haven’t heard of our Oxford Party Library, you’re missing out! It’s a fantastic resource where you can borrow items for parties and events whether it’s a children’s birthday, a community celebration, or an adult gathering.

We offer a wide range of themed and general party items, many of which can be borrowed free of charge or with a refundable deposit (though donations are always appreciated). Our most frequent users are schools and community groups hosting children’s events.

As we move out of the barn and into a more accessible location, we’re excited to grow and make it easier for people to browse and borrow items in person, truly bringing the “library” concept to life.

While we do have some single-use items, we strongly encourage borrowing reusable resources that can be shared again and again, reducing waste and making celebrations more sustainable.

Our 2024 Impact Report revealed that Oxford Party Library loans helped save the equivalent of 2,400 car miles in carbon emissions by reducing the need for new manufacturing and single-use purchases.

Party libraries often known across the UK as Libraries of Things are becoming increasingly popular, helping people access not only party supplies but also everyday items like tools and equipment which keeps everything in circulation. 

Become a Corporate Volunteer Partner

By partnering with us, companies can make meaningful progress towards their Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) goals, particularly within the community pillar of their sustainability strategies.

We’d like to extend a huge thank you to Mills & Reeve for their incredible energy and dedication. We look forward to working together again!

If your company is interested in supporting community sustainability and reducing carbon impact, we’d love to hear from you. Please visit our corporate partnership page to learn more.