Here at Aspire, we are so grateful to be beneficiaries of Oxford Homeless Movement’s Christmas Match Fund!

The Christmas Match Fund is running from 1st December 2019 to 6th January 2020 - with all donations made to Oxford Homeless Movement matched by founding partner Oxfordshire Community Foundation (OCF), who are DOUBLING the difference to contributions!

When eligible for Gift Aid, a donation of £30 will be worth a fantastic £67.50 to beneficiaries of the Match Fund!

Through the support of the Christmas Match Fund, Aspire and other organisations in the Oxford Homeless Movement will be able to continue their crucial homelessness prevention and reduction services across the county. 

Aspire is currently doing more than ever before to tackle Oxfordshire’s homelessness and housing crisis, stepping up to a 46% increase in demand for our services in 2018-19, to ensure that the county’s most marginalised people at risk of homelessness have the support they need. Our work includes running a homelessness prevention project, Housing First and supported housing projects for rough sleepers and ex-offenders, and providing specialist employment support - all designed to break the cycle of homelessness, for good.

This aid is crucial for people such as S - a single mother living in social housing with her young daughter. Following a period of mental ill-health, S got behind on paying her rent, and was issued with a Section 21 possession order, causing her depression and anxiety to deteriorate. 

S was put in touch with Aspire’s homelessness prevention service, who liaised with her housing association to set up a payment plan, arranged court representation and connected S with services for support with debt management. 

Thanks to this support, S was able to stay in her home. She has since found a new job, and is now much more confident in managing her housing situation for the future. 

Helen Mariner, Fundraising and Communications, says:

“We’re extremely grateful to Oxford Homeless Movement for launching this Christmas Match Fund. This fund clearly showcases the power and impact of collaboration, with a wide range of different organisations coming together to tackle Oxfordshire’s homeless crisis. We’re very proud to be part of this Movement and want to thank everyone who has supported the Match Fund so far.”

Please show your support for the Oxford Homeless Movement, spread the word, and keep giving!