Supper clubs, pub quizzes, and charity fundraising events
Check out what Oxford's communities have been up to!
At the end of the day, we all need connection. Fellowship, inclusion, supporting each other, and having a sense of belonging has never been more important, and it is so wonderful seeing community initiatives placed front and centre within Oxford.
Despite it being “ruled” by students from its two universities, Oxford has stepped up its game, providing many community-building opportunities created by its engaged residents.
From local business concepts, student-led ideas to family-owned businesses, Hybrid discovers what Oxford has to offer in a series of new features!
The business of connecting young professionals
Connecting with new people and becoming a part of a community can be challenging, when you don’t have “built-in” friends in the form of flatmates or course mates. So, Mitch Mallary and his company In Real Life is here to change this. Through events like pub quizzes, karaoke nights and open mics, IRL offers a space for non-students to create meaningful friendships in Oxford.
Students take on Machu Picchu and Everest for charity
The students of Oxford Brookes University are taking part in an incredible charity, and you can too. To raise money for Amnesty International and Teenage Cancer Trust, students will climb Machu Picchu and Everest Base Camp in the summer of 2026. By raising awareness, they are shedding light on a significant topic, while building a safe and welcoming space through fundraising challenges.
The Talking Plate: an Indian supper club
“Every plate tells a story, every table builds a friendship” is the motto of The Talking Plate, founded by Lochana and Sohana, students at Oxford Brookes University. By offering a curated Indian menu based on culinary themes, their invites extend out to everyone who wishes to combine enjoying food with getting to know people and therefore becoming part of a community.
Mother-daughter duo serving up Italian fare on Cowley Road
La Smorfia isn’t just about Italian food, it's about creating an Italian community in Oxford. Rosa and Denise, though having multiple years of experience, have struggled with the many obstacles of starting a new business. Despite all the challenges, they were able to build not just a restaurant, but something way bigger; a restaurant that is now celebrated as a hub of Italian community in Oxford.