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A Beautiful Afternoon of Art, Poetry and Connection at The Clockhouse
There are some sessions at The Clockhouse that don’t just fill an afternoon ... they stay with you. Recently the...
Oxfordshire’s HAF Provider of the Year
It is with huge pride, and even bigger gratitude, that we share the wonderful news that Leys CDI has been...
This October, CDI is packing its bags, grabbing its passports and heading straight to Italy… well, not literally, but the Barn is about to feel like it’s been dropped right in the middle of Rome, Naples and Milan all at once. Why? Because our young people asked for something different, something fun, something themed and when CDI listens, CDI delivers. Welcome to Italian October, running every Monday 5–7pm and Wednesday 4–6pm for ages 9–18. Trust us… it’s going to be a ‘Fantastico Ottobre’. Super Mario Showdowns Picture this: the Barn transformed into a digital Colosseum. Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad all […]
There are some sessions at The Clockhouse that don’t just fill an afternoon … they stay with you. Recently the Wednesday Art Club, led by the wonderful Bushra Hussain, was one of those moments where creativity, memory and community all came together in the most touching way. Bushra brought a gentle, thoughtful energy to the room, guiding our seniors through a rich blend of poetry readings, book extracts, and creative expression on canvas. The theme of nature, art and words opened up conversations, laughter and reflection, and the group embraced every part of it with open hearts. The feedback afterwards was […]
Boccia might be a gentle precision sport on paper… but anyone who’s visited CDI’s Clockhouse sessions knows it’s anything but gentle. This is the arena where Queen Jean rules with regal accuracy, ‘West Ham’ Dave (or ‘Deadly’ to his friends) celebrates every point like he’s scored at the London Stadium, and where “it’s the taking part that counts” gets politely ignored. In the Leys, Boccia is serious business …..and seriously good fun. CDI has used Boccia for years to bring seniors, youths and intergenerational groups together. It’s simple, accessible, and somehow manages to unlock fierce competitiveness, big laughs and genuine connection. The […]
At CDI, our commitment to the young people of the Leys is not seasonal. ‘It’s all year round’. From weekly evening sessions to full school‑holiday programmes, we work tirelessly to make sure every young person aged 9–18 has access to safe spaces, positive role models, new experiences and opportunities that help them grow, learn and thrive. Thanks to the incredible support of Oxfordshire County Council’s HAF funding, alongside the generosity of our local partners, funders and community organisations, we are able to open the door to a wide range of activities that many young people would not otherwise experience. These partnerships allow […]
It is with huge pride, and even bigger gratitude, that we share the wonderful news that Leys CDI has been awarded Oxfordshire’s HAF Provider of the Year. For our small community charity, rooted in one of Oxfordshire’s most socially challenged areas, this recognition means the world. This year alone, Oxfordshire’s HAF programme delivered over 20,000 holiday places to 3,700 plus different children. 300 more than last year. Among them were 131 fantastic juniors who joined CDI’s Summer HAF courses, taking part in everything from life‑saving first aid with SaveYU, robotics with OAS, nature workshops with BBOWT, dance with Gemma, pottery with […]
Well……not quite……but, Great news for the Leys! We’re absolutely delighted to share that The National Lottery Community Fund is awarding Leys Community Development Initiative £20,000 to help our community continue to thrive. This support means £10,000 per year for the next two years, dedicated to keeping our CDI evening youth sessions running every Monday (5–7pm) and Wednesday (4–6pm) starting again this month, September. With this funding, and the ongoing support of our brilliant partners at Peabody Housing, Oxford City Council, and Oxfordshire County Council, we can continue offering a warm, safe space for local young people all year round. A place to: After a summer where 131 different young people took part in our free […]
If you ever needed proof that the Leys can come together and make a difference, summer 2026 was it. 131 brilliant young people, a heroic CDI team, and a community of partners turned one of the hottest summers on record into one of the most meaningful. From life‑saving first aid with SaveYU, to visits from Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue and Thames Valley Police, to nature adventures with BBOWT, robotics with OAS, dance with Phoebe, pottery with Beatrice, and street awareness with Chris Abeso. Our juniors were educated, inspired and occasionally exhausted (in the best way). Daily sports, forest school, cookery, arts, crafts, games and nature walks kept spirits high, while weekly trips to […]
CDI’s intergenerational trip to Cotswold Wildlife Park gave us everything we hoped for – sunshine, laughter, connection… and even the legendary Red Pandas. Anyone who’s visited Burford knows spotting them is rarer than winning the lottery. Rumour has it, the 90’s movie blockbuster, ‘Hunt for Red October’ was nearly called ‘Hunt for Red Panda’ until Sean Connery stepped in. But CDI doesn’t shy away from a challenge. Led heroically by Queen Jean, our team not only found one Red Panda… but two. And then a third in the gift shop (spotted by you‑know‑who). A historic hat‑trick. The seniors loved their scenic train ride, waving like […]
Let’s be honest, this summer has been ridiculous. Oxford hasn’t just been sun‑drenched… it’s been sun‑drowned. Pavements melting, staff sweating, ice creams evaporating before they’re even paid for. And yet, somehow, impossibly, undeniably… CDI youths remain the coolest people in town. Cool in attitude. Cool in energy. Cool in spirit. And, crucially, cool despite temperatures that could fry an egg on the Barn’s front step. Cool Factor 1: The Science Squad Our friends at OAS rolled in with robotic and engineering workshops that had the youths buzzing like caffeinated inventors. Circuits, coding, mechanical wizardry … the lot. The young people didn’t just enjoy it… they revelled in […]
Leys CDI was buzzing recently as our juniors and seniors came together for a special intergenerational first aid training day delivered by SaveYu’s fantastic duo, Gemma and former Premier League footballer Gary Elkins. For those who remember Gary’s playing days, he was part of the legendary, and famously chaotic, Wimbledon FC Crazy Gang. A team packed with characters like Vinnie Jones, John Fashanu and Robbie Earle, known for fearless tackles, wild antics and a reputation for “taking no prisoners.” Yet anyone who worked with them knew the truth – behind the madness, they were absolute teddy bears. And now, in the most brilliant […]
The Best Things in Life Are Free
(with apologies to Janet Jackson, Luther Vandross… and every staff member whose nerves have been tested since Week One) If Janet and Luther were here on the Leys this summer, they’d probably look at our youth courses, smile, and say, “Yep… that’s exactly what we meant.” Because the best things in life are free. Free to access thanks to the incredible support of Oxfordshire County Council’s HAF funding, Oxford City Council’s Youth Transformation Fund, and the ongoing generosity of Peabody Housing, Morgan Sindall, Mulalley Construction and so many others who understand that investing in young people isn’t charity… it’s common sense. And what […]
What an afternoon. The Leys CDI Garden Party welcomed well over 150 visitors through the Clockhouse doors. At times in such a steady stream that our “welcome strategy” became a mixture of handshakes, hurried hellos, enthusiastic waving, and the occasional apologetic smile as we tried (and failed!) to be in three places at once. If we didn’t manage to speak to you personally, please accept our sincere apologies. I promise we were trying. The Leys is clearly a very sociable place. The garden itself looked glorious, and our senior members were absolutely in their element. They love nothing more than showing off their […]
'MAD' Week
There are good days at CDI’s Clockhouse… and then there are MAD Week days. This week we had the absolute pleasure of welcoming Year 12 students from Larkmead School, guided brilliantly by Clare Woodcock from OCVA, as part of their Make A Difference project. Their mission: to explore loneliness and isolation across generations, and to see how organisations like CDI help stitch community back together with warmth, creativity and a lot of laughter. And what a day they chose. The “Morning After” England’s World Cup encounter with Mexico ! A day when workplaces across the country were flooded with suspiciously croaky phone calls, […]
and “How, Mad Ideas Keep the Recycled Teenagers of The Leys Out of Trouble… Mostly.”) Every Wednesday, between 10am and 12pm, the doors of the Clockhouse swing open and in march our beloved recycled teenagers – needles clicking, gossip flowing, and the collective determination to “put the world to rights” before lunchtime. This is Knit & Natter, Leys CDI-style. A place where crafts are attempted, conversations are lively, tea is poured and the laughter can be heard throughout the Clockhouse. And right now, the place is buzzing and not just from the caffeine. Good weather = great moods The sun’s out, the smiles are wide, and the […]
The Leys CDI Clockhouse (Seniors) Edition With I’m a Celebrity back on our screens, we thought it was only right to launch our very own spin‑off here in Greater Leys, starring none other than our beloved Clockhouse legends – Jean, Walter and Simon. Yes, you read that right. They’ve swapped the kettle for khaki, the biscuits for bandanas, and have proudly become CDI’s newest poster boys and girls. And honestly… they’ve never looked more ready for the jungle (or at least the Clockhouse). But fear not, while the TV contestants are busy wrestling snakes, chewing on questionable critters and screaming […]
In partnership with the wonderful ‘Kids in Mind’ charity and our good friend Cllr Dr Hosnieh Djafari-Marbini, Leys CDI is offering families and community groups the chance to receive brand new toys for local children.Collection details: Monday 23rd MarchThe Clockhouse, Greater Leys, OX4 7FX• Families & individuals: Collect one brand new toy per child between 4–6pm• Community groups & organisations: Collect a selection of toys from 3pm onwardsIf your organisation would like to book a collection slot after 3pm, please email:Clockhouse@leyscdi.co.ukSubject: Toy CollectionInclude:• Approx. number of toys requested• Age group(s) you work with• Organisation name• Contact name & phone number […]
A Little Bit of Mr Benn… and a Whole Lot of Joy
What a day. Honestly, if you’d told us in the morning that by teatime ‘Queen Jean’ Dyer (as affectionately known by her friends at CDI) would be trending on the Royal Family’s Instagram, We’d have laughed you out of the Clockhouse. Only hours earlier she was happily playing dominoes and clicking away at the nit and natter. By evening, she was popping up on every Royal news feed! Thanks to the kindness of the Oxford Hub team, in particular Alice Copping, Rebekah Sammut and Suzy Donald, local charities, including CDI, were brought together to share in a celebratory afternoon. Here, […]
WHEN THE QUEEN MET THE DUCHESS
For three decades, Leys CDI has stood as a beacon of hope and transformation in Oxford’s most challenged neighbourhoods. From its grassroots beginnings to its current role as a lifeline for hundreds of juniors, seniors, and families, CDI has always been about one thing: bringing people together to build a better future. This summer’s vibrant garden party was a joyful testament to that spirit—young and old gathered to celebrate the impact of programmes that have nurtured wellbeing, creativity, and connection across generations. And as we look ahead to the festive season, the upcoming Seniors and Working Partners Christmas Meal promises […]
CDI are delighted to announce that we have recently produced our latest annual report detailing all of the fine work that has taken place during the last calendar year.This is visible to all via the attached link or by clicking on the annual report 2025 on this site’s home page.
THE YOUTH PROJECT
THE SENIORS PROJECT
Our Place, Our Home, Our Community.
What People Are Saying About Us
Ismail
Its great to see friends and have things to do.
Sheila
While I enjoy the activities, I really love to help out with the CDI garden as I don’t have my own garden. It is such a lovely relaxing area.
Aida
The Zumba and Yoga sessions are fantastic. A real workout and I feel so good afterwards, even if I ache a little bit the next morning !
Denzel
I love the sessions, which are great fun, and the staff who are always happy.
Simon
I attend the Monday socials, Quiz days and often drop in to the Clockhouse for a chat, I am also a keen member of both the gardening and IT club. I love joining in the sessions and feeling part of the team.
Jean
I’ve been attending CDI senior sessions for over 16 years and they are the highlight of my week. I’ve made many friends over the years and enjoyed so many good times and laughs.
John
CDI in particular, the youth project, changed my life. When I first attended the sessions ‘many’ years ago I was a bit of a lost cause. They really believed in me and supported me to become the person I am today. Thankyou CDI
Leys CDI - Our Story
Leys CDI (Community Development Initiative)
Founded in 1995, Leys CDI is a local based charity, that is driven by a spirit of ‘togetherness and belonging’.
Listening to its local community, CDI exists to enrich the lives of Leys residents, regardless of their age, background or circumstance.
Bringing people together from all backgrounds to play, socialise and learn together, CDI fosters a strong sense of belonging and wellbeing while, directly and indirectly, addressing issues including loneliness, anti social behaviour, discrimination and social inequality.
Leys CDI is proud and grateful of its longevity, collaborations and partnerships which have helped shape, guide and serve the community for many years. The aim now is to continue to ‘enrich lives’ for many years to come.
