Welfare support, debt advice and life skills.
Contact: For Witney call 0800 3280006 or for Chipping Norton email office@stmaryscnorton.com
Website: https://capuk.org/
Support available in your community
On top of the financial and other support available, there are also lots of community groups and local organisations that can help people who are struggling with the cost of living.
Below you will find a list of support available across the district, which will be updated on a regular basis.
Advice and support around finances
We can all face problems that seem complicated or stressful. At Citizens Advice we believe no one should have to face these problems without good quality, independent advice. That’s why we’re here to give people the knowledge and the confidence they need to find their way forward - whoever they are, and whatever their problem.
Contact: 0808 278 7908 or info@citizensadvicewestoxon.org.uk
Website: https://citizensadvicewestoxon.org/
A local charity that provides flexible and tailored support and advice to adults and families.
Contact: 01865 711267
Support for families with children
Home-Start Oxford is a voluntary organisation providing free, confidential support for families with at least one child under the age of 5 in Oxford, and the centre and west of the county.
Contact: 01865 779991
Website: www.homestartoxford.org.uk
Witney Baby Bank is run by a group of volunteers to support families in need by providing them with essential baby items and women with menstrual products, free of charge.
Contact: info@witneybabybank.com
For more information go to: https://www.witneybabybank.com
A programme to remove/reduce financial barriers to being active for families with one or more children over 5 who are eligible for free school meals. Provides access to a range of offers and discounts at leisure centres and community-based activities.
Support for mental health and wellbeing
Feeling overwhelmed and struggling to cope, but nowhere to turn? If you’re in a dark place, you’re not on your own – we’re here for you. Oxfordshire Safe Haven is a safe and welcoming space for when you’ve reached the point where it feels like there’s no way out. We’re open 365 days a year, and you can think of us as being like A&E for your mental health.
Contact: 01865 903037
Website: www.oxfordshiremind.org.uk/support-for-you/safe-haven/
An Oxfordshire mental health charity that supports people to take control of their recovery, develop skills, and lead meaningful lives.
Contact: 01865 455821
Website: www.restore.org.uk/
A free to access tailored programme to encourage and support people with poor mobility to move more and connect with others and, as a result, improve their wellbeing.
The increased cost of living and other pressures may lead to physical, emotional, psychological, sexual or economic abuse.
If you need immediate help call 999, otherwise call the Oxfordshire Domestic Abuse Service Helpline on 0800 7310055.
For support in Oxfordshire: https://a2dominion.co.uk/about-us/Domestic-abuse-support-services
For all support available: https://reducingtherisk.org.uk/national-services/
A drug and alcohol treatment service located in Oxfordshire & commissioned by Oxfordshire County Council.
Contact: 01865 261690
Guideposts is a UK-based charity working with people in local communities to help them access the support, opportunities and skills they need to overcome social challenges, improve their wellbeing and change their lives.
Contact: 01993 893 560
Dementia Oxfordshire provides support and advice for people living with dementia and their families. From the point of diagnosis, we do not discharge until end of life or a move to a care home. The service supports people to live well for as long as possible and in the community, working to ensure people have a sense of meaning and purpose in their lives.
The service is free of charge and is delivered in partnership with Age UK Oxfordshire and Dementia UK, combining our expertise to support people of any age with a diagnosis.
Contact: 01865 410 210
Website: www.dementiaoxfordshire.org.uk/
At Age UK Oxfordshire our goal is to enable older people in Oxfordshire to live life to the full. Whether you’re on a quest to live well into old age or if you’re going through tough times, we’re here to help you.
Contact: 0345 450 1276
Website: www.ageuk.org.uk/oxfordshire/
Help with feeding yourself and your family
For information on services near you, please visit: https://goodfoodoxford.org/food-support/
Community Food Services Explained - Which one do I need?
Foodbanks
Provide emergency food to residents in crisis. A short-term option for people facing food poverty.
Who can access them?
Anyone referred by a professional agency, such as; GP, Health Visitor, Local Authority, Job Centre etc. can receive emergency food support via a voucher.
What will I get/What’s provided?
Each food voucher provides five days worth of nutritionally balanced food in each parcel.
Food Larders
Membership schemes open to anyone. Members purchase food at reduced prices.
Who can access them?
Anyone can become a larder member. Initial one off joining fee of £10. Individual & family memberships are available.
What will I get/What’s provided?
Members receive a weekly amount of non-perishable food items plus fruit and vegetables.
Community Fridges
Community food sharing projects focusing on reducing food waste.
Who can access them?
Anyone can access food from community fridges. There are no referrals, joining fees or memberships needed.
What will I get/What’s provided?
Visitors can take their fair share of food depending on what stock has been donated.
Warm spaces
Warm Welcome is a national scheme that maps out free, warm and welcoming spaces for the public over the colder months, with the aim to provide a warm welcome for those struggling to heat their homes this winter. To find a warm space open near you, please go to: https://www.warmwelcome.uk/
If you run a local support group and would like to add it to the list please email community.wellbeing@westoxon.gov.uk.