Homeless Oxfordshire provide short-term accommodation with access to high quality support and initiatives that enable people to have a safe space, in which they can begin to take control of their own lives and recover from homelessness.
Funding received
In March 2019, Homeless Oxfordshire received a grant of £1,000 from the Police Property Act Fund. This is a joint fund, managed by the PCC and the Chief Constable, distributed to community and voluntary groups.
This funding was to be used to support a programme of activities including the following:
- Mindfulness and meditation
- Cook and share
- Aromatherapy and Beauty
- Film club
- Volunteering and exercise
Recovery-focused work
Homeless Oxfordshire applied to the Police Property Act Fund in order to secure funding to support their recovery-focused work with vulnerable, homeless women.
Their women's project includes trauma-specific programmes, eating recovery group and a specialist women's workshop programme. They know that, through experience, women tend to have more complex and severe needs than homeless men.
"Jenny's on hand every day. I feel like she doesn't judge. She knows what I struggle with, I can be completely honest with her. She knows my weaknesses, she knows what I can do to help myself. She just understands. It's so good to have her as a constant presence." Lucy, resident (women's project)
"I am delighted to hear how the Police Property Act Fund has supported Homeless Oxfordshire. They are doing important work with young people, addressing a number of key areas within my Police and Crime Plan for the Thames Valley. Long may their positive work continue." Anthony Stansfeld, PCC for Thames Valley
Women-only drop in
With support from the Police Property Act Fund, Homeless Oxfordshire have successfully established a support group for women.
The aim of the group has been defined by the women in the project. During group discussions, shared experience and the support Homeless Oxfordshire is providing, they can see the opportunity to offer peer support for other women who find themselves at risk.
"The Women's Project is a unique service enabling women, who have been on the streets, to be themselves after being in many male dominated environments...The women I'm working with have shown amazing progression in a short period of time and I strongly believe this is because of the environment they're now living in." Kelly, Women's Project Support Worker
Find out more about the Police Property Act Fund:
Follow the work of the OPCC for Thames Valley:
Credits:
Created with images by Tim Mossholder - "Colorful Hands 3 of 3" • thr3 eyes - "Visiting a local Christmas Lights festival I decided to try out the bokeh effect on the trees, bushes and houses covered in lights." • Eric Ward - "A girl stands in a dimly lit hallway on Alcatraz Island, SF." • Vonecia Carswell - "I took this photograph of a group of ladies at a photo walk in NYC. It perfectly exemplified the unity that took place among photographers, models and creatives alike. Shout out to International Women’s Day."