“We know we are fortunate to live in a beautiful part of the country but the high costs of transportation and loss of many local services can mean that some people like new parents or older people can easily become socially isolated, said Cheryl Wilson, who volunteers for an inspiring community project in Oxfordshire.

The Stadhampton Community-Building Project is a group of ten volunteers who have been working together for the last five years to create a meeting place for the local community.

They set out to provide a focal point for people to come together and in so doing get to know one another better and to build some greater community spirit.

Ann Stead, Chairman, said: “Our initial consultation led us away from constructing a new facility, to modifying an existing building - the much loved but underused village Church.

“Having sweet-talked, implored and begged our way through various fundraising events and grant applications for the last three years, in January 2013 we had managed to raise the astronomic sum of £385,000 that was needed for the building work. So you can imagine everyone’s delight when we finally saw the contractors move in at the beginning of March.

“As of this September, the building will have flexible seating, under-floor heating, a kitchen and toilets and if we can manage to raise the money in time, a state of the art audio-visual system and Broadband. So the re-modelled Church will be available for both worship and as the village hall. This is something of a first for the area.”

The project has been shortlisted for Best Fundraising Award at this year’s Oxfordshire Charity and Volunteer Awards, which takes place on 14 October.

As the building work nears its end, the Stadhampton Community-Building Project is now on a recruitment campaign.

Volunteer David Fordham said: “We want the Village Hall at St John’s to be used to its maximum capacity so now need people to start booking the hall for groups like gardening clubs, coffee mornings, exercise sessions etc. We are confident that our hall can offer something for everybody.”

If you are interested in finding a venue for your activity, joining one of the groups or just booking the space, contact Ann Stead on 01865 891174 or email annstead@mapledown.co.uk