Oxfam GB :: Oxfam in action :: History of Oxfam

What we do: Campaign for change; Emergency response; Development work; Why we do it

Issues we work on: Climate change; Conflict and natural disasters; Health; Education; Debt and aid; Gender equality; The right to be heard; Global Food Crisis; Trade; Private sector

Where we work: Countries we work in

The impact of our work: In words and pictures; On video

Special features: History of Oxfam; Oxfam myths exposed; Take the Oxfam Quiz; Reshaping our world

A history of Oxfam

The unconventional story of a unique organisation

Heard the one about the vicar, the bucket and the stuffed porcupine? They all helped to make Oxfam one of the world's most respected aid agencies, of course! Are you sitting comfortably? Then, let’s begin the alternative history of Oxfam…

Photo: Oxfam

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Book containing first minutes of the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief. Photo: Oxfam

In the beginning, literally

Here is a book containing the first minutes of the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief from a meeting organised by University Vicar, Canon Milford, in 1942, to help Greek civilian victims of war. Although most similar groups closed down after World War II, Oxfam kept going. Typical.

Photo: Oxfam

Down to business

Oxfam opened one of the world’s first charity shop chains starting with a shop in Oxford in 1948. This innovative fundraising idea attracted donations ranging from false teeth, various stuffed animals, up to a houseboat. Today our shop network raises millions, and there's even an online version too!

Photo: John French

I’m a celebrity

These Liverpudlian lads are just Fab Four of the hundreds of celebrities who have helped our fundraising efforts since the early 60s. It’s not for the fame, and they’re not paid for it, they just believe in what we do, and some even get involved in our projects.

Thinking outside the collection box

While traditional tin-shaking techniques are still effective, we've pioneered lots of new fundraising ideas in our time - like this tabletop box from the 60s that was passed around at family mealtimes. Other originals include regular giving, pledges and the daddy of charity gift catalogues, Oxfam Unwrapped.

Photo: John French

Making a statement...

We’ve always been rather vocal about ending poverty. We’ve taken on governments, international organisations and corporations. We took out ads in the 50s (unprecedented!), defied restrictions by helping the people of Cambodia in ’79 (groundbreaking!), and harassed numerous G8 conferences (ongoing!).

Photo: John French

Get a handle on this...

This useful little thing is an award winner. It keeps bugs out, and water in. It's just one element in our emergency response armoury – including water and sanitation expertise – that enables us to provide desperately-needed care – especially as we’re often the first relief organisation on the scene, as in Aceh after the 2004 Tsunami.

Photo: Oxfam

All around the world...

Our aim is to tackle poverty and we’ll willingly work with and learn from others. That's why it made sense to get together with some like-minded organisations to form Oxfam International in 1995. Today it's a growing confederation of 13 organisations, which gives us even greater global impact.

Photo: Patrick Quinnelly

Poverty in the UK...

Surprise... part of Oxfam’s worldwide programme focuses on the UK! Although poverty here is different to that in developing countries, its causes and impact can be very similar. That's why we set up the UK Poverty Programme in 1996 to give people a voice.

Photo: John French

Sound thinking...

We’ve never been shy about talking to new people, and technology has given us even more scope. We’ve been online since ’96, and even started doing our own TV programmes in 2006. We’re speaking to younger audiences via innovative ideas like the Generation Why website, regular music festival appearances and Oxjam, launched in 2006.

Photo: John French