Oxford Mutual Aid
Oxford Mutual Aid is an Oxford based Mutual aid organisation, founded in 2020.[1] as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic[2].
Initially founded as a Facebook group to make and trade masks and supplies[2], the organisation has since grown into one of the biggest food poverty organisations in the city, claiming to have over 1000 volunteers[3].
Whilst originally providing food parcels to those self-isolating, the organisation now provides support in the form of weekly and emergency food parcels, and claims to feed over 1000 people every month[4][5]. Based in the Cowley area of Oxford, the organisation delivers parcels direct-to-door across the entirety of Oxford City.
The organisation does not means test, unlike many food poverty organisations, but follows a similar model otherwise to many food banks[6][7][8].
Oxford Mutual Aid is a part of the OX4 Food Crew, an alliance of 9 East Oxford based food poverty organisations[9][10].
History
[edit]The group has consistently campaigned on issues of local food poverty, inequality and cost of living in the City of Oxford[11][12].
In early 2024, the organisation was threatened with closure, as funding related to the cost-of-living crisis was reduced[13]
In 2024, the group partnered with Velocity Cycle Couriers, part-funded by Oxford City Council, to assist with 'awkward' deliveries in the cities controversial zero-emission zone[14].
In November 2024, as a result of winter flooding at suppliers, Oxford Mutual Aid was forced to close for several weeks[15]. The organisation later warned in early 2025 of a steep rise in first-time requests, suggesting that food poverty was on the rise as a result of cuts to benefits[16]
References
[edit]- ^ "Oxford Mutual Aid Limited overview - Find and update company information". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
- ^ a b "About us". Oxford Mutual Aid. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
- ^ "Oxford Mutual Aid - Open Collective". opencollective.com. 2025-04-22. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
- ^ "Our impact". Oxford Mutual Aid. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
- ^ Barradale, Greg (2025-03-26). "Five years on, what happened to the pandemic's mutual aid groups?". Big Issue. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
- ^ Oliver, Gill; Wagstaff, Anna (2020-12-11). "Inside the Community Groups Providing a Lockdown Lifeline". Byline Times. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
- ^ "'Not enough food to go round' say Oxford food banks as deliveries of essentials plummet". 2023-02-16.
- ^ "Food bank expands operations to help people suffering from food poverty during cost-of-living crisis". May 9, 2022.
- ^ "OX4 Food Crew". OX4 Food Crew. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
- ^ "OX4 Food Crew". Oxford Mutual Aid. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
- ^ "Demand grows for emergency food support". 2021-02-16.
- ^ "Free school breakfast pilot properly funded, Oxford MP says". BBC News. 2025-03-10. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
- ^ Features, OxStu (2024-01-24). "Saving Oxford Mutual Aid after a decade of Tory failure". The Oxford Student. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
- ^ "Oxford City Council extends electric cargo bike partnership". BBC News. 2024-06-04. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
- ^ "Food bank forced to turn away over 100 people due to flooding disruption". Oxford Mail. 2024-11-28. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
- ^ "Oxford: Demand for food parcels and homelessness 'rising'". BBC News. 2025-03-10. Retrieved 2025-04-27.