Oxjam will be kicking off again this October with hundreds more events raising money for Oxfam. It’s a music festival with a difference - anyone can organise, play or attend, with all proceeds helping relieve poverty and suffering worldwide.
Launching on the 26th of October with a bang, Oxjam celebrates its third year in Glasgow with a whopping 60+ lineup of musicians and performance artists over one day in the West End's trendy Ashton Lane. Glasgow has been continually the most successful city in the UK for presenting the best bands and raising the most money for this very worthwhile cause. The Hub meets this year’s Oxjam Regional Manager, Mhairi Love, to learn why.
Why do you volunteer with Oxfam?
I started out nearly four years ago working with Outreach (those lovely folk who pester you at T in the Park and the like) and have since worked as a shop volunteer, in campaigns, and organised my own Oxjam events. I don’t think it’s necessarily that Oxfam are more ‘deserving’ than any other charity, I was just motivated by how far their reach spreads across the world. I have a great time doing what I do, and I’d recommend it to anybody.
What makes music such a successful method of fundraising?
Music is an amazing medium for bringing together all sorts of people. We’ve found so much interest from people who wouldn’t normally have thought to give up their time to volunteer for a charity. It’s fun, you get to meet loads of new people, and I’ve found that Oxjam really has a community spirit. There are no egos involved, just music and raising money and awareness. We’ve had the same bands coming back each year, and we really just want to keep it growing.
Why is Glasgow important?
Glasgow has a world-class music scene. We are home to some of the best musical acts in Britain, and we’re really proud of our fledgling musicians. Scotland, on a wider scale, is so important right now politically. Our MPs make up a larger percentage of the cabinet than they have ever done, and we really shouldn’t underestimate the political power that we have. It’s possible to make changes to the world around us, and Oxjam just acts as a platform for people to learn more about injustice and how we can fight it.
What can be done to get involved?
Organise an event! Glasgow has hundreds of great pubs and bars, and even more musicians. Get involved by finding a place for a few mates to play in, grab some collection tins, and get going.
That sounds like a lot of work, what can Joe Bloggs contribute?
If that’s too time-consuming, why not have an event at home? Have some friends and family round, and have a music-themed pub quiz. Or you could have a music-themed fancy dress party, as Halloween’s coming up soon. Madonna, anyone? The world frankly doesn’t have enough Elvis impersonators, either.
Whatever you fancy doing, there’s loads of support available online and from the Oxjam Glasgow team.
What will be done with the money raised?
All the money raised will help people in poverty to earn a living, get an education, health care, fresh water, food. Oxfam strives to provide a better future for people all over the world, and you can help. You really can change people’s lives by having a good time, right here at home.
But doesn’t charity begin at home? There’s poverty here in Britain, too.
Inequality and poverty happens all over the world, and Oxfam actually have a UK Poverty Programme in place, based at the Oxfam Scotland office in Glasgow. It deals with employment rights, and gender and race inequalities, amongst other issues.
Finally, tell us some more about the Ashton Lane Festival
It’s the biggest unsigned music festival in Scotland, and it follows on from the massive success of last year’s festival. This year, we have a lot more volunteers involved, and it can only get bigger and better. There are over 60 acts performing, from 2pm until the bars close, so it’ll be a great day or night out in the West End for people of all ages.
To learn more about Oxjam and the work that Oxfam does, visit
www.oxfam.org.uk
To find out about organising an event in and around Glasgow, or playing at one of the gigs being organised, email
southwestscotland@oxjam.org
If you live outside of Glasgow or Scotland, why not get involved anyway, and contact Oxfam to find out what events are taking place in your area, or just use your imagination to get involved.[/bold]
This article originally appeared in The Hub.
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