Who Are We?

Cambridge Oxfam Group - Who Are We?

Where do we fit into what Oxfam does?

Oxfam's aim is to reduce poverty and suffering for everyone in the world. There are two broad approaches that Oxfam takes to the problem.

By directly helping people to help themselves, supporting local organisations in poor parts of the world.
By campaigning for national and international policy changes that will help the world's poor.

The Cambridge Oxfam Group is a group of volunteers in the Cambridge UK area who, in their spare time, help Oxfam in both directions:

By local fundraising with events and collections to pay for emergency and development work in the developing world.
By raising public awareness of development issues through stalls and the media, and by lobbying the local MP.

What are the different parts of Oxfam in Cambridge?

Oxfam has several identities in Cambridge, and it can be confusing at first.

Oxfam Shops - The most obvious presence of Oxfam, there are three in Cambridge. These are on Bridge Street, Sidney Street (a book shop) and Burleigh Street.
Oxfam Trading Office - There is a retail office above the Burleigh Street shop, with responsibility for shops and trading in the region.
Cambridge Oxfam Group - Our group of volunteers who have other day jobs. We work closely with the campaigns department in Oxford, and sometimes with the shops, to organise stalls, publicity and events.

What does the Cambridge Oxfam Group do?

Basically anything that we can think of that will help!

Campaigns stalls - The bread and butter of changing public opinion, and motivating people to take action. We'll set up in a shopping center, at a festival or fete, or outside an Oxfam shop, and talk to passers by about the current campaign (see below). There is a specific action that we get them to take, such as signing a postcard lobbying government on the issue. This is satisfying as you find out how much the public do care, and interesting when you see how relieved they are that they can help in a way other than giving money!
Fundraising events - Large scale events to raise money for Oxfam. For example, we have been involved with the local Dragon Boat Club in organising a Regatta raising money from companies and sponsorship. Other examples are concerts, discos with the African Association, and pub collections.
Campaigning actions - These are more focused actions at a particular target, often the local MP or media. For example, we recently organised a Fair Trade mailing from the local MP to all companies in Cambridge to persuade them to change to Fair Trade tea and coffee. Other examples are public meetings, writing to the local newspaper and appearing on Red TV.

Can you give examples of some campaigns?

The campaigns themselves are researched by Oxfam centrally, and we're provided with excellent materials and information. Recent campaigns have been:

Education now! - Teaching children basic skills of reading, writing and adding up is a critical way of relieving poverty. Hundreds of millions of children in the world currently get no education. This campaign pressures international organisations and the government to make education for everyone a reality. There's the will, and there are some promises, but action is now needed.
Fair trade - We promote fair trade products, persuading organisations and individuals to buy fair trade tea, coffee and other products. Recently we held several stalls outside supermarkets to tell shoppers about the products, and give them the chance to taste them.
Cut conflict - During work in the field Oxfam has found that conflict always increases poverty, and hits poor people hardest. This is a far reaching campaign involving issues such as controlling the sale of arms to oppressive regimes, land mines, and the treatment of refugees. Again, the public are supportive of this, and there are clear and reasonable legislative changes which will improve the situation. The campaigning is to make it actually happen.

What does helping with the group involve?

There are lots of different things you can do within the group, according to what you're interested in and how much time you have.

Helping at occasional stalls
Organising/supporting events
Promoting events in the media - newspapers, local radio and TV
Making posters and publicity materials
Running the group
Enlisting the support of friends and colleagues
Talking to and working with your MP or MEP

Some people in the group help out very occasionally, maybe once a year, and others are very active and come to the meeting every month. It's up to you what you want to do, but the more you put in, the more you get out.

Why not get involved?

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