The Porch - Homeless Winter Appeal

Did you know..?

The Porch is the frontline for homeless day services in Oxford. We are the only service in Oxford that delivers direct access to day-long provision for people sleeping out on our streets - providing a place of sanctuary where lives are rebuilt and dignity is restored.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg. 

The Porch is a life-changing charity dedicated to supporting vulnerable adults facing homelessness and poverty. We provide a safe space where people receive vital help such as nutritious meals, showers, laundry facilities and tailored support services. Its holistic approach addresses both immediate needs and long-term goals, offering help on housing, finance, physical and mental health, addiction recovery and skills for employment. 

The Porch is where compassion meets action, empowering people to overcome adversity and grow with a renewed sense of purpose.  

The Porch nurtures a strong sense of community and belonging, helping people rebuild confidence, gain independence and restore hope. The Porch is a place where everyone is seen, valued, and given the chance to thrive.

Our Winter Fundraisers are crucial to us – this year we want you to know that your support will extend beyond the winter months. It will help us meet the steadily increasing demand for our services, all year long. And it will help fund the full range of services that make up our holistic support.

Why our work is important…

Basic Needs: We provide food, shelter, and hygiene facilities - meals, showers, and laundry services help meet immediate needs. 

Mental Health and Wellbeing: Many homeless people struggle with mental health issues, substance abuse and feelings of isolation. The Porch provides a safe, non-judgmental place where people receive emotional support, take part in activities promoting mental well-being and access professional counselling.

Pathways to Stability and Independence: Our Moving Forwards Programme develops life skills with help on financial management, retaining tenancy and returning to employment via our volunteering scheme... increasing chances of lasting housing and employment.

Community and Social Inclusion: We know loneliness and isolation are barriers to recovery and reintegration, so we nurture a sense of community amongst members and provide a space for people to connect, feel valued, and engage with others.

Addressing Root Causes: The Porch works to address the underlying causes of homelessness and social exclusion. By offering advice on housing, benefits and health, we help people work through this complexity and towards lasting solutions.

Reducing Pressure on Public Services: With targeted support and intervention, The Porch helps reduce the burden on emergency services, healthcare providers, and shelters. Early intervention prevents crises that need more costly public interventions. 

Why we need your help… our Winter Challenge

Unfortunately, demand for our service is still growing. Before Covid, we served about 35 lunches each day, but now we're serving up to 85 hot and healthy lunches daily. In the last year, we have supported over 570 different people!

We’re so grateful to our many partners and the community for your continued support, but the rising costs of energy, groceries, maintenance, and now the rising costs for employers, are huge challenges for us. This is where we need your help!

This year we want our Winter Fundraiser to help us deliver this joined-up support and see that our members have the help they need to get back on track - making sure it's available well into 2025. 

For example:

£10 provides a hot meal & hot drinks... a safe space to rest & recharge

£20 provides a week of laundry services for somebody

£30 provides warm showers, fresh clothing & hygiene essentials 

£40 provides one-to-one sessions for housing or employment guidance

£50 provides skills-building sessions (e.g. job interview preparation, cooking classes, financial literacy training)

...and each donation will be doubled by the Aviva Community Fund!

We will always provide a vibrant & welcoming day centre - please help us if you can.