Oxfordshire Homeless Movement

Volunteer for Christmas 2025-26

Take a peek at the lovely openings below and get involved this Christmas. Many of our partners offer longer term openings in our current volunteering opportunities list. This is always updated regularly so do also check there while checking out the Christmas-only opportunities below.

See also:

• What services are available and open over Christmas?
• How to donate items to organisations—including this Christmas.

If your organisation is not listed below, and you think it should be, please get in touch.

Special appeal for the winter ahead

OWNS Oxford Winter Night Shelter supports and offers sanctuary to people in Oxford city who are homeless; to help them live a fuller life in some of the coldest months of the year. In such situations, shelter can save lives. OWNS is dependent on volunteers to manage and deliver this service. The volunteer sessions can be split into three shifts a night.

OWNS delivers dormitory style accommodation seven nights a week during January through to March. Typically, the accommodation is in church halls. OWNS are now actively recruiting and training volunteers who are 18+ for the 2026 Oxford Winter Night Shelter.

If you would like to volunteer please:

• email night shelter management to request an application pack by post, or
• apply online (see the QR code).

Monday, 8th December & Tuesday, 9th December

Oxford: ACT—Aldates Community Transformation Initiatives—are having some Christmas hamper packing that will be distributed to families across the city. Email outreach to find out more or fill out the form directly. (St Aldates Church, 40 Pembroke Street, Oxford OX1 1BP.)

Monday, 8th December - Sunday, 14th December

Oxford: Aspire are running a gift wrapping booth from 12.00-5.00pm each day. We will spread Christmas cheer by helping shoppers wrap their gifts, in exchange for donations to Aspire. This is a great chance to give back, have some fun, and help Aspire raise vital funds. Help run the store - volunteers can do a full day, half shift, or even just a few hours. Please sign up by emailing Aspire's Fundraising team. 

Saturday, 13th December 

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: Exeter Hall, Oxford Rd, OX5 1AB) Sign up to volunteer here. 

Monday, 15th December - Monday, 12th January

Oxford: Crisis Skylight have a number of different ways you can volunteer this Christmas. Are you a hairdresser or a barber who can offer free haircuts to the homeless any time between 15th December and 12th January? Find out more here.

Wednesday, Christmas Eve

Oxford: Oxford Community soup Kitchen are serving a Christmas lunch and food parcels from 11.45am-1.30pm. It is all free. If you would like to volunteer, please fill out this form and they will get back to you. (Venue: Asian Cultural Centre, Manzil Way, Cowley, Oxford, OX4 1GH.)

Oxford: OX4 Free Festive Lunch at Flo's Cafe are looking for people to help set up their Christmas meal the day before, on Christmas Eve 12.00pm-4.00pm. Please call/text 07732298282 for more information.

Thursday, Christmas Day

Oxford: Oxford Christmas Lunch seeks volunteers - particularly volunteers with cars who can transport guests, host them at table, and then drive them home - to help with our free Christmas meal for around 500 people at The King's Centre. We especially always need more minibuses and licenced minibus drivers. Diners include refugees, the elderly, the homeless, those in food poverty, those who want to celebrate Christmas with others, families with children, and more. Contact Sara or call her on 07535 314716. (Venue: King's Centre, Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 0ES.)

Bicester: Help folk in Bicester enjoy a Christmas Day Lunch from 12.00-4.00pm on a free or "pay what you feel basis". To donate or volunteer, email. or speak to a volunteer at the Open Doors Cafe. (Venue: Open Doors Cafe, Bicester Methodist Church, Sheep Street, Bicester, 0X26 6JQ.)

Banbury: Calling for volunteers to help on Christmas Day 11.00am-3.00pm provide a festive Christmas meal at the Banbury drop-in Centre by working in a team to help serve food and drinks for visitors under the supervision of the Drop-in Coordinator (Venue: North Oxfordshire.) More details here or sign up directly here. Application deadline: December 10th. By Connection Support.

Thame: Help the Community Christmas Day Lunch from 12.30-2.30pm. Full Christmas lunch and pudding (no alcohol), and free entertainment. Call 07885 911200‬, use their WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. You can also email. Volunteers collect guests. (Venue: Masonic Hall, central Thame.)

Monday, 26th January, Wednesday 28th January, & Friday, 30th December

Kidlington: Comfort and Care Cafe from 11.00am-2.00pm. Local residents experiencing homelessness are invited for a free lunch and hot drink at the warm and inviting WISH HQ. To help or volunteer, send an email to the team. (Venue: WISH, 4 The Parade, Kidlington OX5 1EE)