We've organised an all day gig here in Leicester for Oxjam, on October 15th at a venue called The Shed. There's two stages - one given over entirely to acoustic/folk acts.
You're right though, doesn't seem to be much happening folk-wise....most of the events local to me are at dance and rock venues.
Northampton seems to be the one exception - they're having a series of Oxjam nights at a venue called the Charles Bradlaugh, all featuring folk acts/singer-songwriters.