Events

Next event: watch this space…..

Or better still, register to receive news of the next event by clicking on this link

ROBIN Christmas Drinks event, December 2019 – Tap Social

This now legendary event was generously hosted once again by the inspirational  Tap Social.  Another great event in a relaxed and welcoming environment with lots of friendly faces – many regulars and great to meet first-timers too!

A great turnout and very positive feedback from attendees, which you can read more about on the lively ROBIN LinkedIn Group here: http://bit.ly/ROBIN_Ox

Maymessy, West Challow, September 2019

What a wonderful event in the spectacular setting of inspirational Social Enterprise, Maymessy, South Oxfordshire! Thanks so much to our host Anna Richardson and for the scrummy tea and cake. Find out more about her great work here: http://www.maymessy.com

10th Anniversary celebration, June 2019

WOW! If you were there, we are sure you will agree this was one of the best events we have had over the past 10 years! Can you believe that the network has been around for that long?! If you weren’t there, you missed a great event, but don’t take our word for it, take a look at the pictures below and reviews on the ROBIN Twitter feed and the lively ROBIN LinkedIn Group here: http://bit.ly/ROBIN_Ox

The  pictures below, taken by the wonderfully Vivacious Mel Cunningham really do capture the essence of the event. You can expand them by clicking on them.

Thanks to everyone who came along and to our guest speakers, who shared their very powerful experiences of how they have engaged with and benefited from the ROBIN Network.

The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury, March 2019

What a turnout for this, our first ROBIN event in the heart of Banbury! Thanks to the wonderful Mill Arts Centre for their kind and generous hospitality and to our very own Tim Tarby-Donald for his energetic and passionate efforts to make this happen.

Lots of new relationships started and plenty of engaging conversations. Very positive feedback from attendees, which you can read more about on the lively ROBIN LinkedIn Group here: http://bit.ly/ROBIN_Ox

You really can get a feel from the  pictures below how warm and engaging the conversations are at ROBIN events. You can expand them by clicking on them.

One of the best turnouts for a while, bringing people from other parts of the county as well to this great town. You can find out more about Banbury at the Visit Banbury Facebook page here

ROBIN Christmas Drinks event, December 2018 – Tap Social

Another great event to round of this year was generously hosted once again by the inspirational  Tap Social.  Although all ROBIN events are relaxed and informal, the Christmas drinks event always seems even more warm and friendly, surely inspired by the surroundings of this fantastic Social Enterprise. A spread of Festive Finger Food For a Fiver was provided by Trax, which went down really well with Tap’s fab beer.

And thanks again to the wonderful Mel Cunningham of Vivacious Mel Photography for the pictures

A great turnout and very positive feedback from attendees, which you can read more about on the lively ROBIN LinkedIn Group here: http://bit.ly/ROBIN_Ox

ROBIN Networking event, November 2018 – Abingdon & Witney College

For November’s ROBIN event we were guests of Abingdon and Witney College at their Abingdon Campus state of the art Advanced Skills Centre. This provided the opportunity for students there to have experience of running a networking event – how fitting for ROBIN!

A great turnout and very positive feedback from attendees, which you can read more about on the lively ROBIN LinkedIn Group here: http://bit.ly/ROBIN_Ox

ROBIN Networking event, April 2018 – SOFEA, Didcot

A very different event for the ROBIN Network was had, with a really interesting visit to the brilliant SOFEA in Didcot. As well as hearing about the great work they do supporting marginalised young people there, attendees were also to have a guided tour from Richard Kennell and his wife Ruth, to get a close feel for the impressive and growing space they have developed.

ROBIN Christmas drinks, Dec 2017 – Tap Social, Oxford

An inspirational evening at the wonderful Tap Social for this year’s now “must attend” event of the ROBIN calendar; our Christmas drinks.  Although all ROBIN events are relaxed and informal, the Christmas drinks event always seems even more warm and friendly, surely inspired by the surroundings of this fantastic Social Enterprise. Unusually, street food was also available in the form of Chaat Oxford, which complemented the on-site beer fabulously.

And thanks again to the wonderful Mel Cunningham of Vivacious Mel Photography for the pictures

ROBIN Networking event, Oct 2017 – Bicester Technology Studio

A new and exciting venue this time for the ROBIN Network as we were welcomed to Bicester by the Technology Studio, and co-hosted by our friends at Bicester Vision.

This event also coincided with the local activity around a national event, “Social Saturday“, which promotes and celebrates the fantastic work of Social Enterprises.

ROBIN Networking event, June 2017 – Blake Morgan, Botley

Another full house at one of our most well-established venues. A great mix of faces old and new, with information and displays from some great local charities. We had great feedback from the event and have heard about lots of new connections and collaborations that were made from the event!

And thanks again to the wonderful Mel Cunningham of Vivacious Mel Photography for the pictures

ROBIN Networking event, March 2017 – Milton Park, Didcot

Thanks to our hosts, MEPC, Milton Park, and to Didcot First for its support in arranging and promoting this event. Thanks to everyone who came – the now usual mix of regular attendees and new faces. This event was fully booked in record time (so definitely book on to future events as soon as you hear about them!).

ROBIN Christmas Drinks, December 2016 – Cumnor

Although all ROBIN events are relaxed and informal, our annual Christmas drinks are especially so. The usual mix of faces old and new (to ROBIN!) came together at The Bear and Ragged Staff in Cumnor. Grant apologises for the quality of the pictures below, but at least we have something to remember it by. Thanks to all those who came – and if you haven’t been to one, then make sure you book on our next event – watch this space! Or better still, follow the links to join our lively LinkedIn group and also subscribe for our updates.

ROBIN Networking event, September 2016 – Witney

Many thanks to our sponsor and host, David Bates of dbconsultingandtraining.co.uk for another great ROBIN event. Around 120 people registered for what proved to be one of our most successful events to date.

Thanks once again to Mel Cunningham of http://www.vivaciousmelphotography.com for these wonderful pictures. Click on any of them to see a larger picture.

ROBIN Networking event, June 2016 – Abbey Buildings, Friends of Abingdon, Abingdon

Me are most grateful to Mel Cunningham of http://www.vivaciousmelphotography.com for these wonderful pictures. Click on any of them to see a larger picture.

ROBIN Networking event, March 2016 – Blake Morgan, Botley

Around 90 people registered for our event at this popular venue. Hosted by founder ROBIN members, Blake Morgan, attendees enjoyed a relaxed and informal networking session, spiced up by some “Speed Networking”. Feedback was very positive, with some great ideas about how we can make future events even better!

December 2015

ROBIN Networking event, December 2015 – The Ley Community, Yarnton

IMG_4492 IMG_4491 IMG_4490

September 2015

ROBIN Networking event, September 2015 – Bicester Vision, Bicester

IMG_3944   IMG_3942

IMG_3949  IMG_3946

March 2015

ROBIN Networking event, March 2015 – Blake Morgan, Oxford

Photographs courtesy of Richard Wakefiled Photography

_12A9312_12A9317

_12A9439_12A9440

_12A9359_12A9356

_12A9343_12A9309

_12A9341_12A9372

_12A9371_12A9444

_12A9408_12A9379

December 2014

ROBIN Christmas drinks – Oxford Playhouse, Oxford

WD_B187 WD_3630 WD_F2D4 WD_84B9

July 2014

ROBIN Summer drinks – The Fishes, Hinksey

WD_BCDCWD_786D

WD_03F9WD_EAF7

WD_048BWD_D39F

WD_D4B6WD_D08C

April 2014

ROBIN Networking event – Blake Lapthorn

DSC_2098 DSC_2094 DSC_2093 DSC_2092 DSC_2091 DSC_2090 DSC_2086 DSC_2084 DSC_2078 DSC_2077 DSC_2076 DSC_2071 DSC_2068

December 2013

Informal Pre-Christmas drinks – The Fishes, Oxford

October 2013

Hosted by Java&Co, Oxford

Over 70 people, nicely balanced between businesses, charities and public sector bodies booked onto our event at the vibrant independent coffee house, Java&Co in Oxford.

June 2013

Hosted by The Theatre Chipping Norton

 

March 2013

Blake LapthornHosted by Law firm Blake Lapthorn, around 70 attendees came together to network, develop new relationships and explore opportunities to collaborate.

             IMG_5504               PaulM

          IMG_5511       Alison_Patrick

We received some excellent feedback from the event, as well as suggestions for future events.

Topline feedback from the event feedback survey

All respondents agreed that:

  • The event was well organised
  • The event was welcoming
  • The format worked well
  • The event met their expectations

96% said they would recommend a future ROBIN event to others

93% said they made some useful contacts

89% said they thought their organisation would benefit from their attendance

Respondents were asked what the best aspect of the event was.  Here are some examples of their feedback:

…from the charity sector:

“The ability to make contacts with both charities and businesses. Having a list of attendees was really helpful as it enabled me to look for specific people.”

“A large enough number of attendees to make it a useful networking event”

The informal atmosphere is the best and most friendly of any networking event I attend. The atmosphere really lends itself to people making connections and building relationships.”

…from the business sector:

“Meeting a good range of business and charity people at a good level in their organisation”

“The format worked perfectly as it was a nice mix of informality in a formal setting”

“Quality of conversations had”

December 2012

Our informal pre-Christmas gathering took place at The Fishes, North Hinksey. Since the significant growth in membership and use of the LinkedIn group, we were delighted to see lots of new faces, and many regular attendees.

July 2012

ROBIN Members are from local businesses that want to collaborate and support charities and community groups in Oxfordshire.

We aim to hold four “Cornerstone” events each year, such as the ones above. These are simple networking events and aside from a warm welcome there tend to be no presentations, no interruptions – just pure networking opportunities

Our networking events tend to have a great balance of people from across sectors

Event held at Bloxham Mill

ROBIN has also held themed events on occasions, such as the one featured above, hosted by Bloxham Mill. At this event a group of local charities and community groups met with businesses to share specific challenges they were facing. As well as networking, an “Ask The Audience” session was facilitated to help brainstorm solutions.