Youth worker to lead music project

5:39pm Friday 5th September 2008

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An Oxford youth worker has been selected to spearhead a charity campaign to promote local music events.

Robert Jolliffe, 37, from Barton, said he was delighted to have been chosen as the new 'Oxjam' manager for Oxfam in Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire.

Last year Oxjam - which takes place annually in March and involves hundreds of music events across the country - raised £400,000 for the international aid charity.

Mr Jolliffe's unpaid role is to raise awareness of next year's month-long festival.

He said: "I think the work I have been doing in Oxfordshire gave me the ability to do the job.

"It is such an opportunity for me to work for a bigger project - it is exciting to be part of a wider challenge."

Mr Jolliffe said tomorrow's Oxford Urban Artz Festival - held at St Mary's Church in Barton - would provide a blueprint for the free events he planned to stage in neighbouring counties over the coming months.

He said he wanted to inspire clubs, promoters and professional musicians to hold events in aid of Oxfam, which was founded in Oxford.

Mr Joliffe said he already had a team of volunteers from Barton and Headington willing to help spread the word.

The youth worker added: "It's important to get out into the town and cities. I need to find people who want to lend a hand. I cannot do it all from Oxford."

Tomorrow's arts festival in Barton has been organised by Families Reunited, which runs drop-in sessions for young people at Barton Community Centre. Adult volunteers and members of a youth forum have recruited budding musicians and artists from across the city.

Organisers have also spent £300 on clothes and spray paint for Barton teenagers, who will design funky clothes to model in a fashion competition.

The festival, which will run from 1pm to 6pm will also feature a singing competition, a Formula One simulator and a free barbecue.

Mr Jolliffe said: "It's going to be very relaxed and everyone is welcome.

"Fingers crossed, the weather will be kind to us and everyone has good fun."

To help organise Oxjam events, email info@ oxjam.info