Friends of the Oxford Centre for Life-Writing

As well as being a leading centre for research, OCLW aims to bring its work into the community wherever possible. Most of our events, talks and podcasts are free, and we work with disadvantaged social groups, schools and with children with learning difficulties to use life-writing to aid communication, tell stories, educate and build confidence. We believe research and creativity should be available to everyone, whatever their social background. The Centre is entirely reliant on the support of its friends and donors to enable its work, and we are hugely grateful to the network of supporters who help it to continue.

You can support the work we do by becoming a Friend of OCLW. As thanks for your kind generosity, you will be invited to exclusive events, lectures, and receptions, as well as as our termly Friends of OCLW Book Club. Membership starts from £10/month, and can be made monthly, annually, or as a one-off donation.

Cherwell Friend

Join our Friends of OCLW Writing & Community Group, which meets every week in term to talk about the craft of life-writing and discuss each others work. Enjoy privileged access to events, booklaunches, and updates on our termly programme.

Donating between £10 and £49 a month (or between £120 and £599 a year)

Linton Friend

Linton Friends receive all benefits listed above (access to the Friends of OCLW Book Club and priority invites to our events). In addition, you will also be recognised for your support at an annual Linton Lecture, after which we will invite you to join the OCLW scholars and directors for a private informal post-lecture reception.

Donating a minimum of £50 a month (or £600 a year)

Chadlington Supporter

Chadlington Supporters share our founder and Honorary Director Professor Dame Hermione Lee's passion for helping exceptional academics to fulfil their potential, support the Centre's work in community outreach, and in maintaining its international reputation for excellence in research. In return, as well as the benefits above, they are uniquely valued, receiving personal updates from Hermione, Elleke, and Kate on the Centre's progress, and additional opportunities to get to know the scholars.

Making an annual donation of £1000 or more

Click here to make a donation and become a Friend of OCLW

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Enter how much you would like to give and whether you would like to make a recurring or one-off donation.

If you make a one off donation we will add you to the Friends scheme at a level and for a time frame that matches your donation (for example, if you make a donation of £60, we will consider you a Cherwell Friend for 6 months).

Summary of Friend Scheme Memberships

Cherwell Friend	Donating between £10 and £49 per month OR £120 and £599 per year	Friends of OCLW Writing and Community Group; privileged access to events, booklaunches; updates on our termly programme.
Linton Friend	Donating over £50 per month OR £600 per year, up to £999	As above, plus be recognised for your support at an annual Linton Lecture, after which we will invite you to join the OCLW scholars and directors for a private informal post-lecture reception.
Chadlington Supporter	Making an annual donation of £1000 or more	As above, plus personal updates from Hermione, Elleke, and Kate on the Centre's progress, and additional opportunities to get to know the scholars and be recognised for their support.

Sponsor a Project or Scholar

Some people love the variety of OCLW, and some love particular projects. If you'd like to support a project or an individual, we're keen to discuss the possibilities. You may be inspired by something you see in our Events Calendar, or you may be happy to make a gesture towards whatever ambitious endeavour we're planning at any given time.

To put your name to a project or scholarship of any kind, and enjoy some great benefits in return, please contact Associate Director Kate Kennedy on admin.oclw@wolfson.ox.ac.uk, or simply make a gift using the link above.

Legacy Giving

When you come to make plans for the future, you may like to consider remembering OCLW in your will. Making such a gift is naturally a very personal matter. However, letting us know of your wishes gives us the opportunity to thank you for your kindness, while allowing us to make plans together. We are happy to talk to you in confidence about the range of options open to you, either in person or over the phone. In the first instance, please contact Kate Kennedy, Associate Director on admin.oclw@wolfson.ox.ac.uk.