THE COUNTY will be awash with MPs and activities next week to mark Social Saturday on October 15.

The campaign aims to boost awareness of Oxfordshire’s 75 social enterprises, which trade with the aim of making money but reinvest profits to benefit social and environmental issues.

These include Bicester Green, which repairs bicycles, furniture and electrical items which are sold to generate cash.

It is staffed by volunteers, including those struggling to find employment, who learn new skills in woodwork, bike maintenance and upholstery.

Between June last year and this May, it saved 10.8 tons from landfill through recycling.

Next week, Banbury MP Victoria Prentis will visit its workshop and meet volunteers.

Bicester Green centre manager Emma Gordon said: “Social Saturday is about letting more people know what we do and where to find us.”

“Our message to anyone who has broken furniture, bikes or electrical items they’re about to take to the tip is ‘Come to us first’.”

Oxford Wood Recycling in Abingdon sells reclaimed timber, while helping the long-term unemployed back into work by boosting skills and confidence.

It will be offering discounts, free tea and coffee and DIY project advice on Social Saturday.

Henley Music School provides free music tuition for youngsters in 200 schools around Oxfordshire and neighbouring counties.

Founder Laura Reineke and her team, who run weekly creative social sessions and a drama club for youngsters, are hoping for a visit from Henley MP John Howell.

Others include Yellow Submarine, which helps people with learning disabilities by running school holiday and youth clubs plus training and employment for adults.

Two-thirds of its income is generated through cafés in Park End Street and Witney Leisure Centre, co-staffed by people with learning disabilities.

Aspire offers property maintenance and landscape gardening, while providing long-term unemployed people with training and support.

Witney-based Synolos teaches carpentry and other skills to young people, while Style Acre in Crowmarsh Gifford helps people with disabilities by trading through a tea room in Blewbury, charity shop in Wallingford and book store in Banbury.

Grant Hayward, a member of Oxfordshire Social Enterprise Partnership’s steering group, said: “This is about mission-driven type of businesses which focus on addressing social need, rather than just generating money.”

The Government-backed Social Saturday campaign was launched earlier this month.

There are more than 70,000 social enterprises in the UK, contributing £24bn to the economy.

Best known are The Big Issue, Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen and Divine Chocolate.

Minister for Civil Society Rob Wilson said: “Social enterprises are leading the way in creating a vibrant and growing social economy, which is why Government is a Social Saturday partner for the third year running”

For more information see osep.org.uk