When the pandemic struck Oxford Winter Night Shelter (OWNS) struggled to continue providing accommodation for rough sleepers referred by the Street Population Outreach Team (OxSPOT) run by St. Mungo’s for the City Council (OCC). The Government issued an ‘everyone in’ direction to councils to provide emergency housing for homeless vulnerable people including those in shared hostel spaces. They also released guidance that hostels could be operated only if sanctioned by the local authority as essential and subject to stringent infection control. At that point OWNS ceased operating. Fortunately all our guests were housed by OCC. That guidance meant we were unable to operate last winter. If the situation changes next winter we stand ready to operate a winter shelter if required.

The Government has advised that the ‘everyone in’ arrangements must end and that OCC should no longer offer accommodation to those not normally entitled to housing or benefits. Despite the efforts of OCC – to date 203 out of the 335 temporarily housed have moved on successfully – some people will be forced to return to rough sleeping. In May OxSPOT estimated that 19 people were experiencing rough sleeping in Oxford. Many are difficult to engage with, have a distrust of statutory organisations and are lacking in confidence. Their sense of isolation has increased during the pandemic.

Against this background the Trustees of OWNS have been considering how we can help. Following discussions with other agencies in Oxford we have entered into a partnership with St. Clement’s Parish Property Trust to set up a new day support centre offering respite, hospitality and encouragement to those who are homeless and vulnerably housed.

Located in St. Clement’s Street and to be known as The Living Room it will provide support in a small and friendly environment to its guests, particularly targeting those who feel more able to engage in this setting. The centre will be staffed by a Project Manager and volunteers. Referrals to the centre will be made by Gatehouse, Porch, Crisis and OxSPOT. Our builder has completed the work of transforming the building and we have appointed Russell Hemmings as the Centre Manager. We are now in the process of furnishing the centre. Donations to help fund that would be very welcome.

The centre will initially open on Monday, Thursday and Saturday with two sessions each day. It will provide shower facilities, washing machine and dryer and access to laptops. Hot and cold drinks and snacks will be available and, most importantly, somebody to chat to. St.Mungo’s and Luther Street Medical Centre have expressed an interest in working with guests at The Living Room.

Chair of OWNS Trustees Revd. Mary Gurr, Oxford Chaplain to the Homeless says, “We want to be able to offer a positive experience to those who have been hard to reach. We know from night shelter experience, that providing sanctuary can begin the work of building back confidence and ultimately lead to a change in their style of living.”

If you are interested in volunteering or making a donation please go to www.ownsoxford.org.uk and follow the link to the Living Room. I know from personal experience as a Trustee and Shift Leader how much OWNS has been valued by our guests. It is also a great opportunity for Christians from all traditions to work together to follow Christ’s example of showing love to those neglected by society.

This is a huge leap of faith for OWNS and we would value your prayers.