A digital platform which matches companies to charities is now in partnership with Oxford North, the new innovation district in Oxford.

Matchable works in 15 countries with local partners to identify non-profit and start-up organisations to boost corporate volunteering. 

Oxford North Ventures is the joint venture company of Thomas White Oxford, the development company of St John’s College, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Stanhope.

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Once completed, the £700m development will feature 480 new homes and one million sq ft of laboratory and workspaces.

The phase 1 construction partners are Laing O’Rourke, Careys and The Hill Group.

Oxford North’s project team has identified 30 organisations in Oxfordshire that Matchable will approach to introduce themselves and identify where they need assistance.

Matchable will then work with organisations to upload their project requirements to their platform, which is free of charge.

Oxford Mail: Homes are built at Oxford NorthOxford North has committed to 75 Matchable software licences which will be allocated across its client, consultant and construction partner teams so that their range of skills can be easily matched to where help is required.

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Victoria Collett, development director at Thomas White Oxford said: “We are focused on maximising the opportunities created through Oxford North for local people and businesses.

"We recognise the value of volunteering for people working for Oxford North, as they can deliver tangible assistance to local organisations that need specific skills for their projects. With businesses allocating volunteering hours and days into employee contracts, and our Community Employment Plan encouraging local deployment of that time, Matchable’s platform makes volunteering seamless and purposeful.

Tom Storey, social value consultant for Oxford North, Storey Consulting said: “We have worked with Matchable on other projects in London and across the UK and identified the opportunity for them to work in Oxfordshire with a catalyst project such as Oxford North.

Oxford Mail: The Oxford North development"The partnership’s aim, which has been launched to coincide with National Volunteering Week, is to not only boost corporate volunteering on the project but also open opportunities for other Oxfordshire businesses to easily deliver their volunteering.”

Foong Ng, founder and chief executive officer of Matchable said: “Our unique approach reimagines volunteering by offering employees upskilling opportunities working with exciting non-profits and impact start-ups.

"By partnering with such a major project as Oxford North, we will work together to identity volunteering projects across Oxfordshire’s charity and third sector organisations so that they can be showcased in one place and easily matched to people and their skill sets.

"From landscaping to book-keeping, marketing to sustainability, together we can enable volunteering across Oxfordshire which benefits everyone.”

The design of the distinctive Red Hall development at Oxford North has not been popular with some residents.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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