Hungry? Access daily services

You can get free or cheap food at Daily Service venues. Some venues also offer showers and free, clean clothes. Please take a look at our summary of Daily Services in Oxfordshire which shows exactly who is open and when. All of our guidance about food provision is now on the Daily Services page.

See also

General guidance

Question not answered? Check the services listed—below, or choose another question—above. Alternatively, drop us a line on social media or get in touch. We will use your feedback to improve the site, and we want to hear from you.

Cost of living in general

Our partners have all reacted to the deepening cost-of-living crisis. Everyone wants to ensure that people can easily access the help and advice they need. For general advice on where you can get support concerning the cost-of-living visit Citizens Advice or the UK government's advice page. Shelter have some useful general tips. There is also Soha's guidance on what you are fully entitled to, contacting your utility company, keeping warm and who can help in your area. Though it's not a local service, NIDirect's helpful Universal Credit Explained videos help you understand more about this benefit. The videos can also help you make your claim for Universal Credit online.

Cost of living - local advice

Oxfordshire County Council has a dedicated section on their website about local cost of living support.

Your local council offers help and or advice with the cost of living. If you are not sure which district you are in, please use the link at the top of this list first:

Which district council should I contact?

I am worried about the cost of living in Oxford City

I am worried about the cost of living in Cherwell

I am worried about the cost of living in South Oxfordshire

I am worried about the cost of living in Vale of White Horse

I am worried about the cost of living in West Oxfordshire

Find more advice on specific issues below.

I can’t afford food

We’ve listed all links and information about food provision in one place: Daily Services shows exactly who is open and when across Oxfordshire. You can also check out the free and low-cost food options in Oxford listed by Oxford City Council, and the free or subsidised food within Oxfordshire map and database provided by Good Food Oxford, Feeding the Gaps, and the city council.

I can’t afford my rent

If you’re worried about losing your home, you should get advice as early as possible. See eviction risk advice to learn more.

If you’re in danger of losing your home and want to gain control over your finances and housing then you can contact Connection Support’s Housing Support Team.

Shelter can help you understand your rights and get the support you need with Private Renting, Eviction, Mortgage Repossession, Tenancy Deposits and Council Housing.

If you are a permanent council house tenant in Oxford, you can seek help with managing your tenancy from the council's Tenancy Sustainment Team.

For general advice visit the UK’s largest tenant support community, The Tenants’ Voice.

I’m in debt

Citizens Advice Oxford may have suggestions.

Phone: 0808 278 7909

Email: use their web form

For more advice on debt solutions, you can visit their website. Topics include bankruptcy, budgeting , getting financial advice, debt management plans and a debt remedy tool.

For confidential and independent advice on dealing with debt in the UK, you can call or visit the National Debt line on 0808 808 4000.

I can’t afford my bills

To find out what steps you can take if you’re struggling to pay energy bills you can visit Citizens Advice.

For advice on saving energy visit the government's website or call 0800 444 202.

To know how to spot an energy scam visit Energy Saving Trust.

If you are an individual, small business, nursery or school within the Vale of White Horse district you can apply for the Wantage & Grove Energy Support Fund.

I need other advice

For free, confidential, impartial and independent advice and information, get in touch with Citizens Advice. The Oxford branch can be reached by phone: 0808 278 7909, email and online web chat, or see our list of Citizens Advice branches—under the heading 'key functions'.

Question not answered? Check the services listed—below, or choose another question—above. Alternatively, drop us a line on social media or get in touch. We will use your feedback to improve the site, and we want to hear from you.

Stay hydrated if you are hot.

Drink more water than you think you need.

Use water points.

Hot Weather SWEP is currently CLOSED.

In Oxford city, you can get water at:

• the Town Hall Café

• public leisure places

• places listed with the Refill app

• one of the daily services

• Crisis Café on George Street

• Florence Park, Bury Knowle Park and Cutteslowe Park

• OxSPOT provide water, cups and sunscreen to people on the streets during daily rounds

More tips:

• tips on heat and heat stroke from the NHS

• avoid sunburn—stay out of the sun 11am-4pm. Wear sun cream and a sun hat

• use cool—not cold—showers at daily services

• use wet towels

• put your feet in cool water

• spend time in an air-conditioned public spaces

• use a library if the daily services are shut

• wear light coloured, loose-fit clothes

See also

General guidance

Hot weather SWEP explained - with links to other ideas

Photo by charlesdeluvio on Unsplash

Question not answered? Check the services listed—below, or choose another question—above. Alternatively, drop us a line on social media or get in touch. We will use your feedback to improve the site, and we want to hear from you.

• Getting Oxfordshire Online may be a good place to start
• Oxfordshire County Council welcomes everyone to all of their 44 libraries. It is free to join
• Some daily services can help

Question not answered? Check the services listed—below, or choose another question—above. Alternatively, drop us a line on social media or get in touch. We will use your feedback to improve the site, and we want to hear from you.

In very cold weather, if you don't have a local connection to Oxfordshire or don't meet the requirements for housing services, you can still access a SWEP—emergency—bed.

SWEP is now CLOSED. 

If your health or someone else’s is in immediate danger, please call 999.

Cold weather SWEP Across Oxfordshire

People outside Oxford who want a SWEP bed should ask Connection Support (see below) before 5pm. State:

• full name,
• date of birth,
• which local council they / you come from (if any)
• any support needs or concerns

If nobody answers the call, call back later or leave a brief answerphone message with name and phone number ONLY. After 5pm, refer to each local authority's out of hours phone numbers (as listed in our general guidance). The duty service will be aware that SWEP is activated and consideration will be given on a case by case basis.

This winter Oxfordshire's district councils have all agreed to do SWEP joined up county wide. However, SWEP may be open if for example snow is forecast in just one part of the county.

Cold weather SWEP for Oxford City

Contact St Mungo's - OxSPOT—see below—before 5pm. State full name, date of birth and any support needs. If nobody answers, call back later or leave a brief answerphone message with name and phone number ONLY. After 5pm—or if you / the person did not get identified during the day—go to O’Hanlon House between 11pm and midnight to ask for a bed.

(OWNS also offer beds in their winter night shelter January through to the end of March for those rough sleeping around the city. As with other venues, access is by referral.)

See also

General guidance

Cold weather SWEP explained

Question not answered? Check the services listed—below, or choose another question—above. Alternatively, drop us a line on social media or get in touch. We will use your feedback to improve the site, and we want to hear from you.

Mental health help

Do you need to talk to someone right now?

Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

Call 116 123 for free

Need local and urgent help?

There is help from OMHP on what to do in a mental health crisis. 

For anything less urgent

If your need is less immediate there are numerous contacts that can help and support you. See below. Please note that some of these are not health professionals. If in any doubt, consult your doctor or refer to Luther Street Medical Centre.

To find out more about OMHP see their booklet or click them in the list below. Question not answered? Check the other services listed—below, or choose another question—above. Alternatively, drop us a line on social media or get in touch. We will use your feedback to improve the site, and we want to hear from you.

A dog is man’s (or woman’s!) best friend and if you are living on the streets, it is great to know that there are people that can help keep your friend fit and healthy.

The organisations below offer free of charge help for dogs that live on the streets with their owners.

Question not answered? Check the services listed—below, or choose another question—above. Alternatively, drop us a line on social media or get in touch. We will use your feedback to improve the site, and we want to hear from you.

Homeless Oxfordshire run a women-only housing project for people who have been verified by the outreach team, OxSPOT. Aspire also offer a women-only house. The Gatehouse offer women-only showers and a Women’s Only Space. See below General Guidance for links to these organisations and more details.

If you are currently experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse or sexual violence or abuse, you may be able to get advice and support from the Oxfordshire Domestic Abuse Service—ODAS, or the Oxfordshire Sexual Abuse & Rape Crisis Centre—OSARCC.

See also

General guidance

Question not answered? Check the services listed—below, or choose another question—above. Alternatively, drop us a line on social media or get in touch. We will use your feedback to improve the site, and we want to hear from you.

General guidance

If you believe someone’s health is in immediate danger, please call 999.

If you are concerned about someone rough sleeping, or you are concerned for yourself, contact an outreach team. Here's how.

Oxford outreach team

Call OxSPOT with details and location during office hours on 07590 862049 or email on Outreach.Oxford@mungos.org

Please note that OxSPOT is not an emergency service but will follow up all calls and emails as soon as possible.

Elsewhere in Oxfordshire

Contact Connection Support on 01865 711267 or outreach@connectionsupport.org.uk

About to lose your home? Worried about eviction?

The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 means that your local council has duties to prevent and relieve homelessness.

Which district council should I contact?

Your local council:

Oxford City Council

Cherwell District Council - 01295 753 751 or 01295 221 531 out of hours

South Oxfordshire District Council - 01235 422 452 or 01235 422 410 out of hours

Vale of White Horse District Council - 01235 422 452 or 01235 422 420 out of hours

West Oxfordshire District Council - 01993 861 000

Once you have contacted your local council, please also consider:

Aspire Oxfordshire - Homelessness Prevention

Connection Support - Housing Support

Connection Support - Benefits Specialist Service

Crisis Skylight - Housing Advice

See also

In every location in England, you can report a concern about someone rough sleeping through the StreetLink website.

If you have a bed in supported accommodation, please speak to your support worker.

I need help with the cost of living

How to help someone rough sleeping in Oxfordshire

I need help

I want to help

This same general guidance page is repeated across our website.

Question not answered? Check the services listed—below, or choose another question—above. Alternatively, drop us a line on social media or get in touch. We will use your feedback to improve the site, and we want to hear from you.

If you are a service provider and you want to help someone with their level of literacy, Read Easy Oxford provide a free service to help with this—see below.

See also

General guidance

Question not answered? Check the services listed—below, or choose another question—above. Alternatively, drop us a line on social media or get in touch. We will use your feedback to improve the site, and we want to hear from you.

You can use local daily services whenever available, and emergency beds during the winter.

You may be able to find a bed through services that aren't funded by the council, such as ACT, Aspire and Edge Housing. If you are a refugee, you could try Refugees at Home.

(At the moment, you need a local connection to access council-funded supported accommodation.)

If you have no local connection you can approach any local authority to ask for help. 

See also

General guidance

I need accommodation in very cold weather

Question not answered? Check the services listed—below, or choose another question—above. Alternatively, drop us a line on social media or get in touch. We will use your feedback to improve the site, and we want to hear from you.

You don’t have to have ID to use all services. If you need help obtaining ID, one of the organisations below may be able to help you.

Question not answered? Check the services listed—below, or choose another question—above. Alternatively, drop us a line on social media or get in touch. We will use your feedback to improve the site, and we want to hear from you.

Daily services

You can get warm at daily service venues. Some offer showers and free, clean clothes. Please take a look at our summary of daily services in Oxfordshire which shows exactly who is open and when.

See also

General guidance

I need accommodation in very cold weather

Question not answered? Check the services listed—below, or choose another question—above. Alternatively, drop us a line on social media or get in touch. We will use your feedback to improve the site, and we want to hear from you.

If you don't have a doctor you can register with Luther Street Medical Centre. Luther Street give medical care to people experiencing homelessness.

Their Centre is not an emergency service. If your health or someone else’s is in immediate danger, please call 999.

The most up to date information on and guidance about coronavirus can be found on the NHS website.

Question not answered? Check the services listed—below, or choose another question—above. Alternatively, drop us a line on social media or get in touch. We will use your feedback to improve the site, and we want to hear from you.

If you have no money, check the services listed below. Connection Support have a specialist service about Benefits. If you need to claim welfare benefits, ask at Citizen's Advice, a local advice centre, or one of the daily services. 

Though it's not a local service, NIDirect's helpful Universal Credit Explained videos help you understand more about this benefit. They can also help you make your claim for Universal Credit online. 

See also

General guidance

I am about to be evicted

I need help with the cost of living

Question not answered? Check the services listed—below, or choose another question—above. Alternatively, drop us a line on social media or get in touch. We will use your feedback to improve the site, and we want to hear from you.

You can get warm, shower, change your clothing and get free or cheap food at day services at The Porch.

The Gatehouse Café in St Giles Parish Rooms—and Oxford Companions, in the same venue Saturdays—also provide showers at certain times and a safe and welcoming place to eat and get clothes; and there are a number of other providers of food and clothing listed below.

Some student and community groups also provide clothes directly to people on the streets.

See also

Daily services

Question not answered? Check the services listed—below, or choose another question—above. Alternatively, drop us a line on social media or get in touch. We will use your feedback to improve the site, and we want to hear from you.

If you’re an EU national, homeless and not working, you may not have the right to claim benefits or housing in the UK.

1. You may find it useful to contact Refugees at Home about your case.
2. You can use daily services when these are available, access emergency accommodation during the winter, and get medical help from Luther Street: all of these are listed below.
3. If you’re not entitled to benefits or housing, outreach teams may be able to help you return home if you want to, or link you in with services who can help you into, or back into, work.

See also

General guidance

I need accommodation in very cold weather

Question not answered? Check the services listed—below, or choose another question—above. Alternatively, drop us a line on social media or get in touch. We will use your feedback to improve the site, and we want to hear from you.

If you've left prison and need help, your first port of call should be the local authority.

See

General guidance

Question not answered? Check the services listed—below, or choose another question—above. Alternatively, drop us a line on social media or get in touch. We will use your feedback to improve the site, and we want to hear from you.

Addiction in general

Please speak to your support worker if you have one. If your health or someone else’s is in immediate danger, please call 999.

Are you on drugs?

Talk to FRANK.

For all other help, check the contacts listed below.

See also

General guidance

Alcohol Brief Intervention

Find an AA meeting

Question not answered? Check the services listed—below, or choose another question—above. Alternatively, drop us a line on social media or get in touch. We will use your feedback to improve the site, and we want to hear from you.

If you’re worried about losing your home, you should get advice as early as possible.

The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 means that your local council has duties to prevent and relieve homelessness. 

Not sure which district you are in? Please use the top link first:

Which district council should I contact?

I am worried about being evicted in Oxford City

I am worried about being evicted in Cherwell

I am worried about being evicted in South Oxfordshire

I am worried about being evicted in Vale of White Horse

I am worried about being evicted in West Oxfordshire

Once you have contacted your local council, please also consider:

Aspire Oxfordshire - Homelessness Prevention

Connection Support - Housing Support

Connection Support - Benefits Specialist Service

Crisis Skylight - Housing Advice

See also:

I need help with the cost of living

Question not answered? Check the services listed—below, or choose another question—above. Alternatively, drop us a line on social media or get in touch. We will use your feedback to improve the site, and we want to hear from you.

We want to hear from you if you’ve got a question that’s not answered here. We will try and respond as soon as possible and will use your feedback to improve the site. Please get in touch or drop us a line on social media.

Need somewhere to sleep? You need to be verified by the outreach teams before you can access most beds and services funded by councils. See our general guidance for the details.

Question not answered? Check the services listed—below, or choose another question—above. Alternatively, drop us a line on social media or get in touch. We will use your feedback to improve the site, and we want to hear from you.