Our Story
A community-led network rooted in care
The Oxford Wellbeing Co-op began as a simple but powerful idea:
What if wellbeing in Oxford was more accessible, more collaborative, and more rooted in community?
We are now a legally registered Company Limited by Guarantee operating as a consortium co-operative — but our story began long before that formal structure.
2019 — The Wellbeing Project Pop-Up
In August–September 2019, The Oxford Wellbeing Project launched its first iteration: a pop-up wellbeing space at Flo’s Pavilion in Florence Park.
Over a short period:
200+ bookings were made
Local practitioners delivered dozens of sessions
A vibrant, inclusive community space was created
The pop-up demonstrated what was possible when practitioners collaborate rather than compete. It also revealed something important: the appetite for accessible, community-driven wellbeing in Oxford was real.
Key learning: Energy and vision were strong — but structure and sustainability were needed to carry it forward long-term.
Media Coverage:
Oxford Mail Article
2020 — The Virtual Summit
During lockdown, the project adapted.
The Oxford Weekend Wellbeing Virtual Summit brought together:
16 practitioners
25 sessions
180+ bookings
The overarching question was: “What does wellbeing mean to you?”
The event was professionally delivered and well attended. It raised approximately £500 and deepened community conversations around racial injustice, trauma, loneliness, and access to care.
However, the follow-up phase — an online hub model — did not materialise.
Key learning:
Burnout within the small core team made continuation unsustainable. We recognised the need for shared governance, clearer roles, and distributed responsibility.
Media: Oxford Wellbeing Project Virtual Summit Playlist
2022 — Formal Registration
In 2022, the organisation was registered with Companies House as a Company Limited by Guarantee, operating as a consortium co-operative.
This marked an important shift:
From informal collaboration
To intentional structure.
A pilot was planned but not delivered due to financial precarity among directors. However, grant funding was secured during this period, to support running and set-up costs
The vision remained — but the foundation needed strengthening.
2025 — Reconvening & Rebuilding
After a dormant spell, the co-directors reconvened and held an AGM in June 2025
A new leadership team was elected:
Nicole Shodunke
Miranda Grace
Laura Hancock
(Suffia Hussain stepped down in October 2025)
A dedicated venue was secured at: 21b Park End Street, Oxford, OX1 1HU
This marked the beginning of a more grounded phase.
We returned with clarity:
2026 — Where We Are Now
We are in a new chapter.
After years of learning, pausing, and rebuilding, Oxford Wellbeing Co-op is now establishing strong foundations for the long term.
We are developing a membership model, strengthening governance, stabilising our finances, and growing partnerships across Oxford. We are building an income structure that allows us to cover our core costs, increase accessibility, fairly compensate practitioners, and reinvest into the co-operative.
At heart, we remain what we have always been: A consortium of local practitioners working collaboratively to make wellbeing more accessible, inclusive, and rooted in care.
We believe wellbeing should not be exclusive.
We believe diversity strengthens practice.
We believe healthy, supported practitioners create healthier communities.
Over the years, we have learned that enthusiasm alone is not enough. Shared responsibility and sustainable structure matter. When rooted in values, structure becomes a form of care.
Our upcoming events and launch moments are not simply celebrations. They are invitations to connect, to collaborate, and to build something lasting together.
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"Wellbeing means spaciousness, stillness, self-acceptance and connection."
— Laura
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"Appreciation of music, learning about life, being inquisitive and then I think being active is really important to me. That helps my mental wellbeing."
— Toby
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"Growth through lifelong learning, having deep connections, nutritious meals and being my authentic self."
— Suffia