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.
Oxford Gives is back online on Wednesday, 20th October 2021 from 6pm to 7.30pm. Reserve your place now to join in this live crowdfunding event to hear inspiring pitches from three fantastic Oxfordshire charities and be part of an exciting evening of positive change.
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.
OCF continues to support the local community into 2021 with COVID-19 grants for tackling the causes of homelessness and supporting the recovery of young families. Grants, totalling over £268,000, were made from our Community Resilience Fund, set up in April 2020.
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.
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.
Local charity support network Oxfordshire All (OAI) In has consulted widely on the new Equality Framework, which aims to help the sector to make progress in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) faster by sharing ideas and knowledge. CEOs from across the county’s charities, including OCF, have made personal pledges to increase diversity and representation in their organisations.
The theme of Monawar’s Shrieval Year will be thanking and celebrating Oxfordshire’s COVID-19 heroes – people who have made exceptional contributions to their communities during the pandemic.
As she reaches the end of her year as High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, Amanda has been touring the county presenting awards to the many grassroots community groups and charities she has met since April 2020. Despite the pandemic, Amanda has succeeded in raising awareness and funds for a huge number of causes, and used her awards as a chance to recognise the hard work and dedication of the voluntary sector.