Oxford City Farm Celebrates enhanced Brand the Bus Runner-Up Prize

Oxford City Farm is celebrating after being named runner-up in the 2025 Brand the Bus competition, following an incredible wave of community support and recognition from the judging panel, which included representatives from Oxford Bus Company, Get Radio, and Oxford City Football Club.

The announcement has been met with excitement across the farm, with the trustees describing it as a moment of real pride for this grassroots organisation as it relies on volunteers and community involvement to grow its impact. The farm was shortlisted alongside ten other inspiring Oxfordshire charities, making the recognition even more meaningful.

Oxford City Farm is a 2.5-acre community growing space in the heart of Oxford, transformed from a disused school site into a thriving urban farm where people come together to grow food, learn new skills, and connect with nature. Every week, volunteers and visitors take part in hands-on growing, cooking, and wellbeing activities, many describing the farm as a place where confidence is built, skills are learnt and friendships are formed.

‘We are totally bowled over by the support of our community who voted to get us onto the shortlist and so grateful that the panel have topped up the runner-up prize value of £5,000 to £20,000,’ said Nicole Titera, Farm Lead at Oxford City Farm.

‘This kind of promotion would be totally beyond our means as a small local charity, but it means so much knowing that more people are going to hear about us. We are looking forward to busier community farming sessions and so many more vegetables being grown….and shared!’

Nicole added that the campaign will make a lasting difference for the farm’s visibility across Oxfordshire:

‘We are especially excited for September, when the buses begin travelling across Oxfordshire carrying the message about Oxford City Farm, taking us from being one of Oxford’s best-kept secrets to really putting us on the map. We hope this encourages people who have never heard of us to come and discover the farm for themselves. You don’t have to have green fingers — just a willingness to learn, or simply to spend time with the animals.’

The farm also took the opportunity to congratulate Sobell House Hospice Charity on their well-deserved win when they were announced on Get Radio on Wednesday 27 May, recognising the vital and compassionate work they do for individuals and families across Oxfordshire.

Looking ahead, Oxford City Farm is hoping the campaign will help welcome more visitors, volunteers, and partners into its growing community.

Drop-in sessions run every Friday and Saturday from 10am–1pm, offering a chance to explore the site, meet the team and get involved in hands-on food growing and community activities.