The Mayor

The Mayor’s Chosen Charities for 2023-24

Red Kite Family Centre

Red Kite Family Centre has roots in the local community stretching back over a decade. In its present form Red Kite is an independent charity established in 2017, following Oxfordshire County Council’s decision to withdraw funding for dozens of children’s centres across the county. From our sites in Thame and Chinnor, Red Kite supports local families of children aged five and under with a range of groups, courses, and one to one advice, offering an essential lifeline to families encompassing every aspect of their early years journey.

Mums, Dads, carers, babies and pre-school children! This is your family friendly centre providing both parents and their children with resources and activities to enhance both physical, mental and social development from pre-natal advice through to pre-school familiarisation, providing practical information, emotional support, and a safe space for all.

Thame Shed

Thame Shed is a place for skill-sharing and informal learning, for individual pursuits and community projects, for purposeful activity, achievement and social interaction.

​The Shed’s activities usually involve making or mending in wood but may include metalworking. Reclamation, re-use, repair, up-cycling and restoration feature strongly. Whichever activities are pursued the essence of the Shed is not the building, but the network of supportive relationships.

Thame Shed is available for anyone of any sex or orientation, who enjoys creating, making, mending or has a practical skill they are willing to share. It is also a place for those who have never had the opportunity to develop practical skills or haven’t the space to do the practical things they want to do, or at the moment spend their time alone using their skills. It could also provide an opportunity for those who simply want to watch others work, sharing conversation, perhaps supporting the emotional well-being of its retired, unemployed or furloughed populace.

Based at Chinnor Rugby Club, Kingsey Road, Thame, OX9 3JL and operating on Monday, Tuesday & Friday mornings for a pound a session, please email Mike Ashford on thameshed@gmail.com if you might be interested in joining us.