The Gatehouse is an open door drop-in cafe for Oxford’s homeless and vulnerably housed, which operates Monday – Friday 5-7pm, Sundays 4-6pm, at the St Giles Parish Rooms, 10 Woodstock Road, near the centre of Oxford.

The Aims of the charity are: “To relieve poverty and hardship among homeless and needy people in or near the City of Oxford and, in particular, by the provision of a drop-in centre.” On a more personal level this is achieved by welcoming the homeless and vulnerable and providing a place where companionship, dignity, and refreshment can be found in a warm, safe and therapeutic environment.

We are always on the lookout for volunteers to help us run our sessions providing essential services for our Guests. These services include the provision of basic needs (food and drink, clothes, sleeping bags, toiletries etc.), social contact, and one to one information and help with a long term aim of achieving full reintegration with society for our Guests, including permanent housing. We also run weekly art, literary, choir and computer activity groups.

Coming up soon will be an exciting opportunity for us to highlight homeless art, and in particular the output from these activity groups. From 18 to 22 June a wide selection of works produced by members of the art and literary groups at the Gatehouse will feature in an exhibition at the North Wall Arts Centre in North Parade entitled “Wherever I lay my hat”. Our thanks to both the North Wall and St Edwards School for making this exciting venture possible. A highlight of the week will be a free fundraising concert featuring the St Giles Street Choir taking place from 6.30pm on Friday 21 June. No tickets needed, just come along and enjoy the evening.

If you would like a challenging experience where you can make a difference you can join our volunteer team by contacting us at admin@oxfordgatehouse.org See oxfordgatehouse.org for further details about volunteering.

We also welcome any support that you can provide by raising money to fund our services. One opportunity coming up later in the year is the Oxford Half Marathon on the 13 October – see uk.virginsport.com for details. Further information about fundraising and donations can also be found at oxfordgatehouse.org

Find out more about The Gatehouse on our Univ in the Community page.

Published: 14 May 2019

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