The team set out their aspirations to address the needs of thousands of people in Oxfordshire who are not online. Their vision is that by 2025, the majority of those who are not currently online will have the digital access they need.
The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day, on Sunday 10th October, was mental health in an unequal world. With World Homeless Day also falling on the same date, local charities have partnered to highlight how the two issues overlap, and signpost people to the support available.
Since the Government’s ‘everyone in’ initiative in response to COVID-19, partners in Oxfordshire Homeless Movement have worked tirelessly to keep people off the streets. Oxford City Council and partners have now helped more than 250 former rough sleepers into settled housing since the outbreak of the pandemic.
School children going back to school will need laptops to support them with their learning.
As temporary accommodation at Canterbury House had to be handed back, five people with no recourse to public funds were at risk of returning to rough sleeping. Thanks to a rapid response from University College and other partners in Oxfordshire Homeless Movement, these people are now safely housed.
The Bishop takes up the honorary role in support of OCF’s work to improve lives by addressing social and economic disadvantage in Oxfordshire, and is committed to building stronger relationships between the Anglican Diocese and local communities.
Ian will bring extensive business and consultancy experience to OCF, alongside his passion for local communities, which was cemented in his roles on the boards of the local Clinical Commissioning Group and a school academy trust.
We are pleased to welcome Mundher to OCF, who has just completed his first year at Oxford University. He will work primarily on our Getting Oxfordshire Online initiative during his five-week placement.
The pandemic has highlighted that lack of online access is a serious issue that limits people’s life chances and wellbeing. Getting Oxfordshire Online will refurbish devices donated by the public and local businesses for school children, isolated older people and others in need.
Oxford had the chance to showcase the innovative support provided for people experiencing homelessness in the city with a visit from HRH The Earl of Wessex. Partners from Oxfordshire Homeless Movement greeted The Earl and shared how local organisations had adapted their work in response to the pandemic.