Small Charity Week 2024: Oswestry Community Action (Qube)

Small Charity Week amplifies, supports and connects small charities across the UK. We’re proud to partner with small charities to find leaders who are inspiring, authentic and forward-thinking.

Kim Wootton, Chief Officer at Oswestry Community Action, otherwise known as Qube, spent 23 years in the water industry in various roles including customer relations, complaint handling, internal audit and project management. She then moved into an Operations Director post at a public benefit entity to support individuals and families in financial hardship. Her world was turned upside down when she was made redundant in early 2023 until the Chief Officer vacancy at Qube arrived at the right time — and she’s never looked back!

Qube is a community anchor organisation based in Oswestry, Shropshire. They have been positively impacting health and wellbeing for over 30 years, with the aim to improve the quality of life for people in Shropshire and the borderlands.

The ethos of Qube is access to services for everyone. Their Community Hub attracts visitors to their gallery and exhibitions, art classes, social groups, befriending, lunch clubs, digital skills training, community transport, and more.

Qube offers a safe and non-judgmental space for all. Individuals and families attend to seek support, pursue an interest in an activity, or simply to meet other people in a safe environment. Qube’s services particularly support those who are disadvantaged, including disability, health and wellbeing, unemployment, rural poverty and isolation. Services have evolved over time in response to local needs such as rural poverty and lack of opportunities; particularly for social isolation, education and poor public transport provision. Qube help keep people engaged in their community, support them to feel less isolated and to live as independently as possible for as long as possible.