The Covid-19 pandemic has seen massive changes to everybody's lives over the past two years, and this upheaval has been reflected both in demand for the services offered by the Gatehouse, and the ways we have had to adapt to be able to continue providing them.

Currently we are still offering two ways for guests to obtain food and drink, which is via a takeaway cafe at our centre to cater for rough sleepers, and a home delivery service for vulnerably-housed guests. In addition, our core services include a bespoke, individual advice and support service through our Casework Team, a counselling service, a shower project, a women's group, and the Lived Experience Advisory Forum (LEAF), which gives individuals with lived experience of homelessness a strong voice in developing strategies to combat homelessness across Oxfordshire.

We have already seen a huge increase in demand for support that counters the negative impacts of the pandemic relating to a wide range of physical, mental and financial issues, from increased risk of people becoming homeless, to food poverty, to depression, loneliness and isolation. Additional factors such as rising inflation, and in particular the significant increase in utility bills and the cost of fuel will only add further pressure over the coming months.

So where do we go from here, and how can you help?

We have big plans for 2022, including a return to offering a full range of services inside our drop-in community centre, a further expansion of the one-to-one support offered by our Casework Team and much more. Big plans unfortunately mean big costs, and with total expenditure for 2022 budgeted at over £300,000 (which is twice the level it was running at only three years ago) we really do need your help in raising sufficient funds.

Although we obtain funding from various grant-giving bodies, we still rely heavily on donations from individuals in the local community to be able to offer all of these free services, which is why we have set up this Appeal. All donations, however big or small, will make a difference to our guests lives, and these Appeal funds will go directly towards providing them with help.

What will your donation buy?

A donation of £5 buys sandwiches and hot drinks for a guest for a whole week

A donation of £20 provides PPE and cleaning materials for one day

A donation of £50 pays our home delivery transport costs for a week

A donation of £200 covers the salary for one of our Casework Team for a week

If you would also like to help in other ways then check our website at www.oxfordgatehouse.org for up to date details on volunteering, food donations, and much more.