Oxfordshire Homeless Movement

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Daily Services

Food

For non-food amenities, see below the table. This table includes provision by the core daily services partners and community kitchens only. For other options see below. 

Food banks by region:

• ABINGDON:
  • Trussell Trust Foodbank
• AYLESBURY:
  • Trussell Trust Foodbank
• BICESTER:
  • Trussell Trust Foodbank
  • Food for Charities has a community fridge in Bicester where anyone can put in food and anyone can take out food.
• DIDCOT: 
  • Emergency Foodbank 11.00am-1.00pm, Tues & Fri, Didcot Baptist Church. Referral only.
• KIDLINGTON:
  • North Oxfordshire Community Food Bank
• LEYS
  • Food for Charities has a community fridge in Leys where anyone can put in food and anyone can take out food.
• OXFORD:
  • Oxford Mutual Aid for emergency food parcels and ready meals:
    Support phoneline open 10.00am-3.00pm Mon, Weds and Thur ONLY for food parcel requests (delivery times depend on location and driver availability) 07310 160595, email support
  • Free and low-cost food options in Oxford listed by Oxford City Council
  • Food for Charities has a community fridge in Botley where anyone can put in food and anyone can take out food open Mon-Sat 10.00am-4.00pm and Sun 11.00am-4.00pm.
• WITNEY:
  • Trussell Trust Foodbank

Food maps and other options:

Our focus is core provision specifically welcoming those affected by homelessness. As such we don't tend to list community larders or pantries as some of these are membership-based or with a fee. Similarly, we don't tend to list cafés except where free meals are given. Check comprehensive food maps put together by other websites for these kinds of options: 

• CHERWELL:
  • Good Food Oxfordshire and Cherwell District Council provide a food support leaflet listing larders, pantries, cafés and more.
• OXFORD:
  • Free and low-cost food options in Oxford listed by Oxford City Council
• OXFORDSHIRE:
  • Free or subsidised food within Oxfordshire map and database provided by Good Food Oxford, Feeding the Gaps, and the city council.

Daily Services: all practical amenities

A print-friendly PDF version—with brief descriptions and full opening times—is available for the below daily services. But please keep in mind that information can go out of date quickly. Always check back here for the latest.

The below information doesn't include all services—only those to do with things like showers, bedding and clothing. We're showing this separately from the food timetable above as some amenities may be available at more, or different, times from food provision.

These providers do not offer accommodation (except ACT), but can often make referrals to places that do. If a provider interests you, see the links to full information.

Oxford City:

ACT

40 Pembroke Street, Oxford OX1 1BP  l 01865 254 800

Mon 6.30pm-8.30pm; first Sunday of every month 2.00pm-3.00pm

Hot meal, tea/coffee, hot chocolate l Additional services offered

Flo's - The Place in the Park

Rymers Lane, Oxford OX4 3JZ | 01865 587611

Mon 12pm-2pm

Free or pay what you want lunch in the community

Botley Bikers (Food for Charities)

07759 135811

Thu 4.00pm-6.00pm (term-time only); Sun 3.00pm-5.00pm. 

Healthy food, toiletries, clothing offered—for locations see the table above

Ma Smith’s (Oxford Community Soup Kitchen / Icolyn Smith Foundation)

Asian Cultural Centre, Manzil Way, Oxford, OX4 1GH

Weds 11.45am-1.00pm

Sit-down meals every Wednesday and every other Saturday l Clean dry clothes may also be available

Bicester Spoon (Icolyn Smith Foundation)

Emmanuel Church, 2 Barberry Places, Bicester, Bure Park OX26 3HA

2nd Saturday each month 12.00pm-1.30pm

We provide a hot monthly meal and food parcels.

Oxford Companions of the Order of Malta

For location, see The Gatehouse

Sat 12pm-1.30pm drop-in.
City centre food distribution 8.00am Mon-Fri and 6.00pm on Mon, Weds and Fri only.

Drop-in hot and cold sandwiches and drinks/ showers/ clothing Saturdays at St Giles Parish Hall | On-street food distribution city centre week-day mornings and evenings

Oxford Homeless Project at the Asian Cultural Centre

Asian Cultural Centre, Manzil Way, OX4 1GH | 07888 659924

Alternate Saturdays 3pm-5pm

Wholesome meals open to all with no questions asked. Poster.

Route 8 Barber Shop

Botley Road Retail Park, Botley Road, Oxford, OX2 0HY | Website 

Free cuts for homeless friends in the Botley and Oxford areas during normal opening hours

St Ebbe's Open Door Breakfast Club

2 Roger Bacon Lane, OX1 1QE | 01865 240438

Weds 7.30am-8.30am

Warm shelter and a free cooked breakfast to any experiencing homelessness in Oxford. Just turn up.

The Gatehouse

St Giles, 10 Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6HT  l  01865 792 999

Mon-Fri 5.00pm-7.00pm, Sun 4.00pm-6.00pm 

Takeaway meals or hot meals every day except Saturday l  For showers, see below  l  Computer access Wed-Fri  l  Clothes Mon and Thurs (unless emergency, Wed-Fri)  l  Casework (1:1 support on a range of emotional and practical needs)   l  Counselling  l  Women Only Services: please see I need help for women only

Showers at The Gatehouse:

First come, first served. Booking required. Email or call the office, or speak to Mair or a project worker when The Gatehouse is open. Sessions last 30 mins and towels and toiletries will be supplied. You will be given an appointment card. Please arrive on time, but not early. If you have any physical ill health symptoms, please do not enter the project as it puts others at risk

Sundays 2.30pm last slot 5.30pm (5 slots)
Mondays 3.30pm last slot 6.30pm (5 slots)
Tuesdays 2.00-4.00pm (women only) then 4.15pm last slot 5.00pm
Wednesdays 3.30pm last slot 6.30pm (5 slots)
Thursdays 3.30pm last slot 5.45pm (4 slots)

Guests can book a space during cafe opening hours or by sending an email to admin@oxfordgatehouse.org or calling the office. The shower project is subject to change and availability

Sessions last 30 mins and towels and toiletries are supplied. You will be given an appointment card. Please arrive on time, but not early. If you have any physical ill health symptoms, please do not enter the Shower Project as it puts others at risk

The Porch Day Centre

139 Magdalen Road, Oxford, OX4 1RL  l  01865 251 798 including Bank Holidays and Christmas Day

Weekdays at The Porch:

Mon-Fri 8.15am-11.30am inc. breakfast until 10.30am, laundry, phone, internet, shower, clothes, library, space to get rest, 1:1 support

11.30am-2.00pm with amenities as above, and lunch from 12:00pm until 1.30pm

2.00pm-3.30pm by appointment for 1:1 support; planned, structured group activities; and one or two amenities (laundry, shower, clothing)

Provides the only daytime sleeping facility available in Oxford city | Links to other services

Vintage Refresh Cafe from Turning Point

131 Cowley Road, Oxford, City, OX4 1HU anna.lamb@turning-point.co.uk 01865 261690

Homeless Breakfast Club (is not running presently). Contact the cafe for dates. Free hot drinks, bacon or sausage baps, toast or cereal. Wellbeing check-in, multi-agency referrals, harm reduction, advice and information

For Women's Recovery Network Drop-in Group see I need help for women only

Vintage Refresh Cafe also run Community Afternoon Teas, 1st & 3rd Fridays, 2.00pm-4.00pm; takeaway afternoon teas delivered by arrangement Weds, Thur, Fri. Young adults (18-25) can access a drop-in Saturdays fortnightly 1.30-3.00pm. Come and chat about drugs and alcohol. Non-judgemental, confidential, free space for advice and support. Open to all. Advice on drugs, alcohol use, having fun and staying safe.

Emmaus

171 Oxford Road, OX4 2ES

Offers hot meals, clothes, sleeping bags, toiletries, period products and advice every Thursday 5.30pm-7.30pm

Across Oxfordshire:

Banbury Beacon

St. Mary's Centre, Horsefair, Banbury, OX16 0AA

Mon-Wed 10.00am-12.00pm

Snacks | Links to other services

Didcot Community Kitchen (on Facebook)

King Alfred Drive Community Centre, 2 King Alfred Drive, Didcot, OX11 7NU

Fri 12.00pm-1.30pm

Free lunch for those who need it

Salvation Army – Banbury

66 George Street, Banbury OX16 5BH  l  01295 262449

Tues and Fri 10.30am-12 noon

Food parcels, clothes and bedding

See also:

• General guidance
• "I need help with the cost of living"
• "I need help for women only"