GROUPS working to tackle homelessness are trying to make sure winter support and Christmas dinners are still available despite the pandemic.

During the winter, Oxford City Council usually activates its 'severe weather emergency protocol' (SWEP) to get rough sleepers into temporary shelter.

And at the same time, charities usually offer extra food for rough sleepers or company for the lonely.

But the pandemic has made this more difficult in 2020.

The Oxfordshire Homeless Movement is co-ordinating efforts between these groups to tackle rough sleeping while navigating the difficulties of the coronavirus.

The movement is also appealing for public help to continue its work.

ALSO READ: Check out some of the Christmas lights on houses across Oxfordshire

Jane Cranston, chair of Oxfordshire Homeless Movement, said: “In these times, it is more important than ever that we work together to protect one another as a community. In 2020, people coming together has been a little light in the darkness.

"This winter, we are once again working with our partners to give vulnerable rough sleepers the support they need.”

How can rough sleepers get a bed or a meal this winter?

In this pandemic year, SWEP is different to usual, with individual rooms provided instead of communal spaces.

Charities Aspire and St Mungos are helping to provide 22 SWEP rooms across three venues and contingency plans are in place to provide more if needed.

And plans to offer Christmas celebrations for people who would otherwise have nowhere else to go area still scheduled thanks to co-operative efforts.

The Oxford Christmas Lunch is usually a communal celebration held in the King’s Centre in Osney on December 25.

This year, Oxford Christmas Lunch will be cooking hundreds of roast dinners on Christmas Day and delivering them all over Oxfordshire to those in need or who will be alone.

Oxford Mail:

The Oxford Christmas Lunch in a previous year. Picture: Shabnam Sabir

Oxford Christmas Lunch is looking for volunteers with cars to help with delivery, and people who are interested in helping out can contact them through Facebook Messenger or by emailing sara@oxfordchristmaslunch.org

Oxford Homeless Project has been unable to provide its regular fortnightly curry lunch for the community, including those experiencing homelessness, since March.

This year, the team is working with East Oxford Community Centre to deliver 100 Christmas hampers and gifts to its friends and families in need in East Oxford.

Crisis Skylight Oxford will also be offering Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve takeaway between 9am and 11am from its base at 40 George Street, Oxford.

Other offerings are detailed on the OHM website

Christmas appeal

OHM is running its third Christmas appeal to help raise funds to find lasting solutions to homelessness and fill the gaps that other services cannot.

READ MORE about the appeal and why it is important here

The campaign is backed by the Oxford Mail.

Between Tuesday, December 8 and Friday, January 8, Oxfordshire Community Foundation is pledging to match the first £20,000 of donations to OHM.

The community foundation’s pledge to double the difference will apply to both one-off and repeat donations made during the Christmas period.

When eligible for Gift Aid, a typical £30 donation will be worth £67.50.

Donate online at oxfordshirehomelessmovement.org/donate or by sending a cheque to Oxfordshire Homeless Movement, PO Box 941, Oxford OX1 9TQ.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on news@nqo.com or 01865 425 445.