Homeless project widens its support net

But what started out as a soup kitchen would soon became so much more.

News of the friendly, non-judgmental Gatehouse project, run from St Giles Church, spread quickly, and it soon became known as a place of safety, offering food, drink and soup in winter to those who needed it most, whatever their condition.

As time passed, the charity moved to new premises at Northgate House off Cornmarket Street in Oxford, opened six days a week and continued to flourish.

But times have changed.

Aimed at the over-25s, the Gatehouse still welcomes those who are predominantly homeless or are sleeping rough, but also a growing number who are in unsuitable housing or are just struggling to keep their heads above water in difficult times.

It also offers activities including a regular art group, quiz nights and a computer club.

And in 2003 it was named one of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award winners and appeared in the background to the Queen’s Christmas Broadcast to the nation.

But what has remained constant – and according to project director Andrew Smith is key to the charity’s success – is the unfaltering commitment of its volunteers.

Today as many as 200 people of all ages and walks of life regularly volunteer at its base in St Michael’s Street, serving food and chatting with guests, supported by a small team of permanent staff.

They know that without their time and the generous donations of food from local shops and businesses, about 80 people each day might lose out on a meal and company.

Mr Smith, 62, said: “The Gatehouse gives dignity and self-esteem back to those for whom every day is a bruising reminder that they are considered outsiders in their own city.

“And while people like me are paid to provide professional support, the volunteers are always put at the top. I can’t speak highly enough of the way they give time, skills and other resources to create a place of interaction and long-term change.”

He continued: “A third of the people we see will be going off to sleep rough or in a tent, but just as many have a place of their own and are trying to hold it all together. We are able to give them the practical and emotional support to do that.”

Dr Karima Brooke, a dyslexia support tutor from Botley, started volunteering three years ago.

The 59-year-old mother-of-five said: “I have experience of being badly housed – back in the 1970s, as a single parent, myself and two of my children spent time being moved from one furnished room to another and we even spent time squatting.

“It was very hard and the experience stayed with me, so I always knew that I would want to volunteer for a charity that helps homeless people.

“I went along to the Gatehouse and received a very warm welcome and coming out of my first session there I knew this was the place for me.

“The mix of people who use the Gatehouse is so diverse; there are ex-forces people, people who have been in prison, those who just seem to have slipped through the net and many who are simply lonely.

“As a volunteer sometimes they talk to you and their stories can be real eye-openers, but very touching.”

The Gatehouse is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 5pm-7pm and Sundays from 3pm-5pm. For more information go to www.oxfordgatehouse.org

'It feels like we're going back home'

In March last year, the Gatehouse looked like it may find itself homeless, when it was given notice to quit its premises at Northgate Hall.

But, once again, St Giles’ Church in Woodstock Road – where the project started – stepped forward to offer a home. The Gatehouse Project is due to open there on February 14.

Project director Andrew Smith said: “We are going to be well set up in the new place – once we have sorted out how to fit a gallon into a pint pot. If anyone out there can offer some storage for our reserves of clothes and food, I’d love to hear from them.”

The Gatehouse launched its The Moving Home Appeal to raise £175,000 to meet some of the costs of the move, which has also been supported by St Giles.

Mr Smith said: “Raising £175,000 allows us to re-equip the project to do our job properly and provides us with a secure future for the next 15 years. It’s a bit of a challenge, but I’m pleased to say that in nine months we are 95 per cent of the way there.

“For the first time we will have disabled access, a decent office and a modern kitchen. We thought we were going to be homeless but it feels like we’re coming home.”

MEET THE VOLUNTEERS

Tim Howles, 31, a trainee vicar from Oxford, joined the Gatehouse 18 months ago and now works as a co-ordinator for the charity.

He said: “I used to walk past homeless people in the street and feel quite scared and I certainly didn’t know what to say to them. But volunteering at the charity means I now recognise many of the people I see. I know their names and bits about their backgrounds and I feel I have a bridge between us.

“One homeless guy told me that one of the kindest things people can do is to kneel down to his level when they stop to talk to him.

“Like many volunteers I have found that three-hour sessions at the Gatehouse have opened up a world of new understanding and relationships to me.”

Jayson Marc-Frater, 41, has experienced the Gatehouse both as a guest and now as a volunteer.

He explained: “I ran away from home at 12 when my mum died and lived rough for 28 years. Travelling the country I had problems with drink and drugs and would stop at Oxford and visit the Gatehouse and I loved the warmth and understanding it offered me.

“Eventually I spent time in a hostel in Oxford, my life came together, I got my own place and then I asked if I could volunteer at the Gatehouse.

“Guests talk to me and know that I really understand what they are going through.

“The Gatehouse is vital to Oxford and I am very happy that I can now return the help it gave me.”

Victoria Mort, 66, from Oxford, helped set up the Gatehouse in 1988. She said: “The Gatehouse has always been very relevant here in Oxford.

“There are a lot of agencies helping homeless people, but the Gatehouse is unique in offering no questions or conditions of its guests; as long as they do not take or deal drugs here or use violence, they are welcomed.”

She added: “The feedback I have received over the years is that the Gatehouse has been a ‘mind-saver’ to many people. It is a place where people are protected from the ‘street world’ where they are often exploited.”