About us
The Berin Centre has it’s roots in Berinsfield and has been part of village life in one way or another for over 40 years. We’ll start at the beginning, so if you want to know our more recent developments scroll down to the bottom!
EAG is born!
In November 1983 Employment Action Group (EAG) is established in response to the unemployment rate in Berinsfield approaching 40%. The charity’s remit was to provide training, work experience and job creation programmes to help local people get into employment or start their own businesses.
Berinsfield Family Centre
In 1999, Action For Children launched a Family Centre on what is The Berin Centre’s current site on Wimblestraw Road, offering a range of services focusing on supporting families with children under 5, many of whom were working with Social Services.
The Berin Centre is Born!
In September 2017, with support from the local community and Oxfordshire Community Foundation, EAG moved into the now defunded family centre, with a start up grant from the County Council. Bringing together EAG’s employment support and appointing Lin Williams to run vital family services from the building.
Groups Reopen
In March 2021 Laura Harte takes over leadership of the centre and, with restrictions relaxing, The Berin Centre starts to reopen it’s key groups and activities, with family services at it’s heart but with a growing focus on services for the wider community too. In September Emily Hart joins the team as Early Years Practitioner and the centre quickly expands it’s range of activities.
Dorchester House
In 1997 EAG took over management of the Dorchester House Business Centre, providing offices and workshop spaces to local small businesses.
Centre Closure
In 2015 Oxfordshire County Council made the decision to close 31 of the county’s 44 Children and Family Centres, despite public outcry and protests. The Berinsfield Family Centre was one of the centres destined to close.
Covid Strikes
In early 2020 the pandemic brought about lockdowns across the country. The Berin Centre continued to provide vital services such as the weekly Community Larder.
Launching Community Services
In late 2022 recruitment starts for a brand new role of Community Outreach Worker, to bring a range of new adult-focused services to the centre.
