Oxfordshire Homeless Movement

Young and affected by homelessness?

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

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 - 01865 249811 or 0800 833408 out of hours

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 and it is the same number out of hours

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

About YPSA - young people's supported accommodation services in Oxfordshire

Young people at risk of homelessness are provided with high quality accommodation while being supported to develop their independent living skills, find employment, or gain education or training.

YPSA eligibility

You can’t directly apply for this service. Referrals must be made through a Social Worker. Please contact Oxfordshire Social Services on 01865 792422 for more information about referrals.

Referral forms are normally completed by social workers, "leaving care personal assistants", district council housing officers or other statutory agencies. These forms are emailed to placementserviceadmin@oxfordshire.gov.uk or via LCS for OCC staff.

Upon entering the service, young people will be allocated a YPSA worker to support them alongside other professionals. They will work as a team to support the young person while they are in the service and there will be a clear action plan in place.

The full information about YPSA and how it works is available from Oxfordshire County Council.

YPSA is offered by:

A2Dominion - see: vulnerable young people (external link)

Connection Support YPSA service (external link)

Homegroup

Oxford Human Capital (external link)

Oxfordshire Youth

Response YPSA service

St Mungo's - Somewhere Safe To Stay. SSTS is for 18+

Stonewater

Other services for young people

Elmore help with tenancies for anyone 18+. Oxfordshire Mind have a Children, Young People and Families service. Banbury has its own Young Homeless Project—BYHP.

Below we list everything on our record from the above named places, plus any others who should be able to offer some kind of help.

We are working to improve this answer. Please bear with us.

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.

Abuse can take many forms.

Rape or sexual assault

Survivor Space Oxfordshire

Survivor Space (formerly OSARCC—Oxfordshire Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre) is the only organisation providing specialist, accredited help to survivors of sexual violence in Oxfordshire.

They work with survivors aged 14 and above, who have experienced rape, sexual abuse, or any other form of sexual violence—whether it was experienced recently, in the past, or as children.

If you have recently been raped or sexually assaulted, you can visit a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) for medical and practical support.

Please note that Survivor Space is not a SARC and does not perform forensic medical examinations. 

The majority of their services are open to self-identifying women and girls, and non-binary individuals recorded female at birth. Their advocacy service supports survivors of all genders.

Referrals: 

You can access face to face support, including counselling and support groups, by referring yourself.

You can refer clients or get confidential advice and signposting by making a referral online.

If you're struggling to make a referral, please get in touch at referrals@survivorspace.org.uk or call them at 01865 725311.

SARCs

SARCs can be found throughout the UK. Read more about what a SARC can be used for. See the NHS website and find a centre. 

Thames Valley Sarc Bicester

Solace Centre, Police House, Queens Avenue, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX26 2NT

0800 970 9952 - 24/7 helpline

Map and directions

Swindon And Wiltshire Sarc

The Gables, Shrivenham Road, South Marston, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN3 4RB

01793 781916 Day, 01793 781917 out of hours

Map and directions

Rape Crisis England & Wales

The national service Rape Crisis England & Wales has lots of helpful information, including what to do if something happened recently, and how to find support in your area.

They also have:

- 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line: 247sexualabusesupport.org.uk or call 0808 500 2222

- specific help about support for men and boys who are victims of sexual violence or abuse

Domestic abuse

Contact ODAS

ODAS is the Oxfordshire Domestic Abuse Service—run by A2Dominion.

ODAS has been providing support for victims of domestic abuse for over 10 years in Oxfordshire. They are committed to empowering females and males in an abusive relationship, irrespective of sexuality or ethnicity, to make their own choices. The priority is to help victims and their children feel safe whether or not they choose to leave the relationship. 

The services mentioned on this page may not be emergency services. If you are in danger or need urgent medical attention, call 999.

IDVAs

Independent Domestic Abuse Advisors (IDVAs) support high risk domestic abuse cases. Access is through a referral once assessed as high-risk by a professional. IDVAs also support high risk male victim survivors, but all work is on a 1:1 basis. See the "Reducing the Risk" information portal below for the contact details. The IDVA Service is commissioned by Oxfordshire County Council. 

Respect Domestic Abuse Advice Line for Men

Useful website and Freephone 0808 8010 327

National Domestic Abuse Helpline

The national domestic abuse helpline has a website with very useful signposting and a free helpline number. 

Call 0808 2000 247

LGBTQ+ Support

Galop's helpline is for LGBT+ people experiencing abuse or violence, such as hate crime, domestic abuse, sexual violence, so-called “conversion therapy” or any other kind of abuse. See their website, call 0800 999 5428 or email help@galop.org.uk There is also a webchat on the website.

Verbal abuse

Verbal abuse can be a criminal offense. Reporting it to the police brings visibility to the problem and helps them address it. Having a case number may help you in repeat cases. Online contact with the police is dealt with in exactly the same way as non-emergency 101 phone calls. 

Report a crime

Call 101 or report it online.

Help for perpetrators

The Respect phoneline is for domestic violence perpetrators. Choose to stop. 0808 8024 040 or email info@respectphoneline.org.uk

See also

Reducing the Risk - information portal

General guidance

I need a shower and clothing (For recent sexual abuse, see the NHS website and find a SARC centre first.)

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.

For women-only services and help.

Support after abuse

See the guidance: I've been abused and need support

Housing

Read our general guidance and get a referral from OxSPOT or Connection Support so you can ask to access housing. Example housing available for women only includes the following:

Aspire

Offer: a women-only house

Spaces: 5

Description: When you join the women's project, you get help to feel better and grow your confidence. You can take pride in your living space and build strong friendships. You will also learn to help around the house, join the housing register, keep up with payments, and register with services like a doctor and dentist. The project will connect you with Turning Point and help you find work or training opportunities.

Contact: april@aspireoxford.co.uk

Referrals: referrals@aspireoxford.co.uk

A2Dominion

Offer: a female-only cluster within Matilda House—there are men in the same building

Spaces: 3

Description: Matilda House is a specially built unit for people who have experienced homelessness and have a connection to Oxford City.

When you join, you get help with mental health issues or addictions. There is support to keep your space clean and improve your social life. Each guest has a named support worker, and the level of support is agreed upon with you. There are also day trips for everyone.

Contact: MatildaHouse@a2dominion.co.uk

Referrals: Referrals are accepted from local councils, prison/probation, and Adult homeless pathway services in Oxfordshire.

Connection Support

Offer: a property for women only who have a "no recourse to public funds"—NRPF—status

Spaces: 2

Description: Set up by OHM in partnership with Connection Support, Aspire, Asylum Welcome, Edge Housing and Soha. 

Contact: EvaBrown@connectionsupport.org.uk

Referrals: nrpf@connectionsupport.org.uk

Edge Housing

Offer: a women-only house for people with varied needs

Spaces: 3

Description: You’ll get help to build self-esteem, resilience, and support networks, aiming for recovery, employment, and moving to your own place. This is done through one-to-one and group work, house meetings, and guidance. Edge supports you for as long as you want, even after you leave.

Contact: info@edgehousing.org

Referrals: through support workers who will contact Edge on their behalf.

Homeless Oxfordshire 

Offer: women's only housing project

Spaces: 5

Description: Support is available 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, with on-call help 24/7.

Everyone's needs are different, so support is tailored individually. This can include healthcare, addiction support, therapy, or accessing benefits.

Skilled support workers, many with lived experience of homelessness, build trusting relationships with residents and support them throughout their journey.

Homeless Oxfordshire also offers options for women experiencing homelessness with support and accommodation in various mixed-gender projects like O’Hanlon House, Mawle Court, Project 41, The Vineyard, Step-Up and Step-Down, and the Sapling project.

Contact: info@homelessoxfordshire.uk

Referrals: through the access panel or through health colleagues for Sapling and the Step-Up and Step-Down projects.

Oxfordshire Mind

Offer: women only housing available at Micklewood House, Sunnyside and in flats. Staffed 9am-5pm with on-call support evenings and weekends

Spaces: 7 rooms (Micklewood), plus others

Description: Support is available for women with serious mental health issues, often after hospital stays, and those experiencing homelessness, including those with addiction issues.

Smaller projects house women in unstaffed properties. Sunnyside is a women-only house. Other properties offer one-bedroom flats. Larger projects provide mixed-gender accommodation.

Contact: referrals@oxfordshiremind.org.uk

Referrals: through a hospital or organisations within the homeless pathway. Specify on the form that a female only house is wanted. Applicants generally require a local connection to Oxfordshire. A care plan and risk assessment should be added to the referral form for an assessment to take place.

Response

Offer: women only housing 

Spaces: 5

Description: Willow House offers a safe and empowering space with supported living accommodation. The aim is to improve health, resilience, and life chances. Activities include cooking, exercise, computer support, music, arts, crafts, and gardening, tailored to residents' interests.

Assistance with daily tasks, mental health support, and access to local services is available. Friends and family can visit but not stay overnight.

The project team, trained by the NHS Oxford Complex Needs Service, helps residents manage the service and set personal goals. There's a move-on plan within 18 months.

Contact: Referral Coordinator team 01865 397951

Referrals: use the Oxfordshire Mental Health Partnership Referral Form and send this and supporting paperwork to referrals@response.org.uk  

Non-emergency help

Asylum seekers and refugees

See the guidance: I have no local connection

See the guidance: I am a homeless EU national

Please note Refugee Resource run separate services for women.

Amenities, showers, toiletries, clothing

The Gatehouse - showers, toiletries, clothing. Also events and groups for women—see diary below. Also on offer is one-to-one support with a case worker, referrals to The Gatehouse counselling service, refreshments. sarah@oxfordgatehouse.org

Counselling

OWCC—Oxfordshire Women's Counselling Centre. Rates depend on circumstances.

Drug addiction, recovery from addiction in general

Turning Point offer a range of services for women only. Some of these are at Vintage Refresh Cafe on Cowley Road. Others are at Banbury Hub or elsewhere.

See the diary below. Ask about a "Freedom Programme" quarterly.

There is also care planning as part of community drug and alcohol treatment, home visits and sessions at places including O'Hanlon House / Somewhere Safe To Stay, Connection Support, A2Dominion Matilda House and Edge Housing.

There are direct links with Eastwood Park for on-release help.

Contact Turning Point.

Sexual health

Turning Point give advice on safer sex and contraceptive implants to Turning Point service users.

Diary for women
Column for activity, and rows for days of the week.

	Activity
Monday	Little Miss Monday Women's Only NA Meeting from Turning Point's Vintage Refresh Cafe. 11am-12pm. For contact details, see daily services   Turning Point + National Probation Service sessions for women involved in the criminal justice system, at Oxford Probation Office, and in Witney.
Tuesday	Women's Only Safe Space (18+) From The Gatehouse. Meet like minded women, chat and develop activities. 2-4pm. Showers, clothing, toiletries, refreshments, hygiene products provided. Caseworker will be on site to offer support and they can refer to their in-house counsellor if required. sarah@oxfordgatehouse.org   Women's Recovery Network Drop-in Group From Turning Point's Vintage Refresh Cafe. Women supporting women in recovery. 10am-12.30pm. For contact details, see daily services Build a supportive network for women in the recovery community. Empower each other, gain self-esteem, build confidence, practice self-care, and have a safe space to talk. Open to all Turning Point service users in Oxfordshire and the wider recovery community, at any stage of recovery. The group offers peer support and activities like crochet, macrame, decoupage, board games, and chatting to promote self-esteem and new friendships. Staff provide emotional and practical support.  Open to all, moving away from offending and substance use. No appointment needed. Coffee, tea, and cake are always available!
Wednesday
Thursday	Women's Group at Turning Point Banbury Hub 12.30-1.30pm, 2nd Floor, Banbury Health Centre, OX16 5QD 01295 225 544
Friday
Saturday
Sunday	Hairdressing available one Sunday per month, 4-6pm at The Gatehouse. Contact the office for dates. (This is not women only.)

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.

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

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.

StepChange Debt Charity helps people in financial difficulty by providing free, confidential, independent and realistic debt advice. Helpline: 0800 138 1111

Citizens Advice Oxford may have suggestions. Their website includes the topics bankruptcy, budgeting , getting financial advice, debt management plans and a debt remedy tool. Phone: 0808 278 7909 Email: use their web form.

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 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 additional helpful 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.

Here are the special events, activities and changes to opening hours over the Christmas period 2024-25 in the homeless sector across Oxfordshire. We are updating this page as details come in, but if your partner organisation does not feature here, and you think it should, please get in touch.

See also: I want to volunteer at Christmas and, to help beyond a Christmas day, all current volunteering opportunities.

Christmas Activities

Our Volunteer hub, HOHC—Helping Oxfordshire Homeless Collaboration, will deliver over 200 Christmas gift bags again this year. These lovely hand-sewn bags will be given to partner organisations across Oxfordshire to give to their guests and hopefully bring a smile to their faces. Bags will also contain a card so everyone receives at least one heartening seasonal message. 

Our Christmas Events Calendar

Sunday, December 1st

Oxford : Community Christmas Celebration meal, 2pm at St Aldate's Church Centre, 40 Pembroke Street. Contact ACT for details.

Friday, December 6th

Oxford : Syrian Sisters free meal, 12-2pm. All welcome. (Venue: Rose Hill Community Centre, Carole’s Way, OX1 1HF.)

Saturday, December 7th

Kidlington : Cherwell Collective Eco Market. Shop circular to reduce the carbon cost of fashion. All are welcome. Complete with live music and sustainable food by Climatarian Kitchen. (Venue: St Johns Church, the Broadway, Kidlington, Oxford,OX5 1DD.)

Monday, December 9th & Tuesday, December 10th

Oxford : ACT Christmas Hamper Packing. See Christmas volunteering.

Saturday, December 14th

Bicester : Emmanuel Church Spacemakers + Icolyn Smith Foundation Christmas Free Lunch and Presents, from 11am-1pm. Includes food parcels for families who are struggling. (Venue: Emmanuel Church Bicester, Barberry Place, Bicester OX26 3HA. 01869 320021. Spacemakers is monthly every 2nd Saturday. Poster.)

Sunday, December 15th

Oxford : OX4 Food Crew Christmas Party, 2-5pm. Food, gifts and fun activities for kids. (Venue: Rose Hill Community Centre, Carole’s Way, OX1 1HF.) See their holiday meal fundraiser.

Monday, December 16th

Oxford : Free Mince Pies and Social, 7.30pm in central Oxford. Enjoy a mince pie or two with a cup of tea in the warmth. Provided by Mindful Refuge. (Venue: The Long Room, Friends' Meeting House, 43 St Giles, Oxford, OX1 3LW.)

Monday, December 23rd

Kidlington : "Mid-day Mass-Distribution" 11am-2pm. Collect delicious food to take home and share with your family or loved ones. Just turn up. Pay what you can. Provided by Cherwell Collective, Savona Food Service and Oxford Food Hub. (Venue: WISH, 4 The Parade, Kidlington, OX5 1EE.)

Tuesday, Christmas Eve

Oxford : Free Christmas Lunch at The Porch. (See below for The Porch's opening times over Christmas or use and display The Porch at Christmas poster.)

Kidlington : "Mid-day Mass-Distribution" 11am-2pm. Collect delicious food to take home and share with your family or loved ones. Just turn up. Pay what you can. Provided by Cherwell Collective, Savona Food Service and Oxford Food Hub. (Venue: WISH, 4 The Parade, Kidlington, OX5 1EE.)

Wednesday, Christmas Day

Oxford : Free Christmas BREAKFAST from 8.15-11am at The Porch. (See below for The Porch's opening times over Christmas or use and display The Porch at Christmas poster.)

Oxford : Free Christmas Lunch. Oxford Christmas Lunch (King's Centre) are serving a free sit-down meal to ~500 people. A volunteer collects guests, drive them to lunch, eats with them and takes them home so you get company as well as food. Families and children welcome. Bookings are first come, first served. To book for you or someone else, please email Sara or call her on 07535 314716. Sara can arrange transport if people book in plenty of time. (Venue: King's Centre, Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 0ES.)

Oxford : Oxford Community Soup Kitchen are serving a free Christmas lunch and food parcels from 12-2pm. To give them an idea of numbers please call and book on 07759 712345 or email (Venue: Asian Cultural Centre, Manzil Way, Cowley, Oxford, OX4 1GH.)

Abingdon : Free 2-course Roast Lunch from 1-3pm at Peachcroft Christian Centre. A safe, warm community event for those who would otherwise be alone. Company and a hot meal. If you can't make it there yourself, free taxis can be arranged. To book and specify dietary requirements, call or text Kay on 07787 629198 or email. (Venue: Peachcroft Christian Centre, Lindsey Drive, Abingdon, OX14 2RT.)

Bicester : Christmas Lunch from 12-4pm. Pay what you feel. To book a place, donate or volunteer, please email or speak to a volunteer at the Open Doors Cafe. Free transport is available. (Venue: Open Doors Cafe, Bicester Methodist Church, Sheep Street, Bicester, 0X26 6JQ.)

Didcot : Free Christmas Lunch from 12-4pm in Didcot, for Didcot-based people on their own on Christmas Day. Please book in advance. Call Anna on 07789 428795. Some local transport available. (Venue: Didcot Baptist Church, 43 Wantage Road, OX11 0BS.) See poster.

Kidlington : "Mid-day Mass-Distribution" 11am-2pm. Collect delicious food to take home and share with your family or loved ones. Just turn up. Pay what you can. Provided by Cherwell Collective, Savona Food Service and Oxford Food Hub. (Venue: WISH, 4 The Parade, Kidlington, OX5 1EE.)

Thame : Free Christmas Lunch from 12.30-2.30pm. Full Christmas lunch and pudding (no alcohol), and free entertainment. To book, call 07885 911200‬, use their WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, or book a place for Thame online. You can also reach them by email. The website has an address for submission of in-person or postal application forms. Volunteers collect guests. (Venue: Masonic Hall, central Thame.)

Thursday, Boxing Day

Kidlington : "Mid-day Mass-Distribution" 11am-2pm. Collect delicious food to take home and share with your family or loved ones. Just turn up. Pay what you can. Provided by Cherwell Collective, Savona Food Service and Oxford Food Hub. (Venue: WISH, 4 The Parade, Kidlington, OX5 1EE.)

Sunday, December 29th

Oxford : Twixmas Festive Delivery 4.15-5.30pm. Soup, cake and presents. By Botley Bikers. (Venue: Street-side. See Botley Bikers for more details.)

Kidlington : "Mid-day Mass-Distribution" 11am-2pm. Collect delicious food to take home and share with your family or loved ones. Just turn up. Pay what you can. Provided by Cherwell Collective, Savona Food Service and Oxford Food Hub. (Venue: WISH, 4 The Parade, Kidlington, OX5 1EE.)

Wednesday, New Years' Day

Oxford : Oxford Community Soup Kitchen open as usual for lunch from 11.45am-1.30pm. To give them an idea of numbers please call and book on 07759 712345 or email for details. (Venue: Asian Cultural Centre, Manzil Way, Cowley, Oxford, OX4 1GH.)

Sunday, January 5th

Oxford : Community Christmas meal, 2pm at St Aldate's Church Centre, 40 Pembroke Street. Contact ACT for details.

Kidlington : "Mid-day Mass-Distribution" 11am-2pm. Collect delicious food to take home and share with your family or loved ones. Just turn up. Pay what you can. Provided by Cherwell Collective, Savona Food Service and Oxford Food Hub. (Venue: WISH, 4 The Parade, Kidlington, OX5 1EE.)

Until January 8th

Kidlington : "Mid-day Mass-Distribution" 11am-2pm. Collect delicious food to take home and share with your family or loved ones. Just turn up. Pay what you can. Provided by Cherwell Collective, Savona Food Service and Oxford Food Hub. (Venue: WISH, 4 The Parade, Kidlington, OX5 1EE.)

Postponed to the new year

Kidlington : Big Lunch Email for details. (Venue: Exeter Hall, Kidlington, OX5 1AB.)

Changes to opening hours over Christmas

ACT (Aldate's Community Transformation Initiatives) will run a Monday night meal 2, 9 and 16 December but not 23 or 30 December, when they will be closed.

BYHP have a slight change of hours. Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th open 10am-3pm. Closed 25th - 27th. Open Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st 10am-3pm. Closed New Years' Day. Open Thursday 2nd January 10am-3pm.

Crisis Skylight Oxford details pending.

Oxford Homeless Project will continue to run as normal, providing meals on alternate Wednesdays 5-6.30pm. See above for their Boxing Day (Christmas) Meal.

Oxford Mutual Aid is closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, 31st December and New Years' Day. Otherwise hours will be as normal.

St Mungo's teams will continue to operate over the festive/Christmas period.

The Gatehouse Community Centre will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Other opening hours remain unchanged.

The Living Room will be closed in the afternoon on Christmas Eve, all day on Christmas day and Boxing Day. It will otherwise be running as usual over the festive period. 

The Porch is open Monday 23rd 8.15-11am. Christmas Eve is the day of their Christmas Lunch and they're open till 3.30pm. Christmas Day and Boxing Day open till 11am. Friday 27th open till 3.30pm. Saturday 28th/Sunday 29th open till 11am. Open as usual thereafter, including New Year's Day. See The Porch at Christmas poster. 

Turning Point Oxford is open Tuesday 24th 9am-2pm. Closed Wednesday 25th, Thursday 26th. It is open Friday 27th 10am-2pm. Closed Saturday 28th. Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st open 10am-2pm. Closed Wednesday 1st. On Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd it is open 10am-4pm. Closed Saturday 4th. Emails are picked up through the day. The hubs in Didcot, Witney and Banbury will all be open at the usual times.

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 currently 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.

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 - 01865 249811 or 0800 833408 out of hours

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 and it is the same number out of hours

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 need help with education, training or your search for employment, all of the services below may be able to offer you help and advice.

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.

The British Red Cross support line provides support in more than 200 languages to people who are lonely, worried and finding it difficult to access food or medication in the UK. Phone: 0808 196 3651

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.

Turn2us is a national financial security charity offering practical support to help people gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services. Phone: 0808 802 2000. Visit the Turn2us website

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.

Find your local authority.

You may want to check the services below, who may also be able to help.

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

...in Cherwell

...in South Oxfordshire

...in Vale of White Horse

...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

General guidance - includes phone numbers

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 relevant outreach teams before you can access most beds and services funded by councils. 

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 - 01865 249811 or 0800 833408 out of hours

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 and it is the same number out of hours

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.

You may also want to check the organisations listed below for help, or access the 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.