4 March, 2021

Homeless Oxfordshire Book Club

This is the news we’ve been itching to announce… we have launched our very own online Book Club, which has also been named one of the ‘Editors Picks’ for this month by Daily Info Oxfordshire!

Poor literacy is one of the reasons that people find it hard to move on from homelessness, and we are on a mission to change this!

The subscription costs £4.99 which will give you access to our fantastic group or, for £10.99, we will also donate a book to our clients’ reading library!

Our first meeting will happen on 12th March and we will be joined by our friend and special guest, Angus Imrie, who has chosen the first book for us to discuss, ‘Such a Fun Age’ by Kiley Reid.

We dearly miss interacting with you in person and we hope that providing an online space will help us all to feel a little bit more connected at this continuously atypical time.

BUT if you need some more evidence about why you should join our club, here are few more reasons for you!

An infographic with the title 'why reading is good for you'. 

Subheadings include,
1) It stirs the imagination
2) It sparks curiosity
3) It improves communication
4) Learn new things
5) Helps you to relax
6) Can ease anxiety 

Infographic ends with the text 'We encourage our clients to read as much as possible for all of the reasons above. Why not join our book club and help someone start a new chapter?'

In addition to the wellbeing benefits of reading itself, if you join our book club you will get special discounts in our online shop when it re-opens this year.

Update for World Book Day

As you know, it’s #WorldBookDay2021 and at Homeless Oxfordshire we are true believers in the transformative power of words and literature.

One of our former clients, Lucy* has taken the time to record a special reading of a poem that she found really helpful in her recovery.

As we slowly emerge from the winter months, Mary Oliver’s, ‘A Summer’s Day’, seems very appropriate to share!

This poem is a special reading for you as a thank you to our fantastic supporters. We also want to say an extra big THANK YOU to Lucy for this beautiful reading.

Link to poetry reading on SoundCloud

Box showing a man reading with the text '£4.99 could better someone's literacy skills'

Other news

General News

Bringing the festive spirit to our residents this Christmas

From Christmas feasts with all the trimmings to community tree decorating and festive art therapy sessions, this Christmas our residents were given the chance to ...
Read More
Becky at Christmas General News

Becky’s Christmas story: receiving a gift made her feel seen

Despite the challenges of their situation, with our support Homeless Oxfordshire residents manage to find little moments of hope and joy at Christmas. Over December ...
Read More
General News

Jamal’s Christmas story: completing rehab let him be Dad again

For many residents of Homeless Oxfordshire, Christmas is something that happens to other people. It’s a reminder of the isolation and loneliness that homelessness inflicts ...
Read More
Mark at Christmas Real Stories

Mark’s Christmas story: cooking dinner helped him rediscover his value

Sitting around a cosy fire with your loved ones. The smell of mulled wine and pine needles. The rustle of wrapping paper and the snap ...
Read More
Real Stories

Jamie’s story: “I feel so proud to be able to provide a home where my children can come and stay”

During Jamie’s* two-year stay at Mawle Court in Banbury the Homeless Oxfordshire support team helped him overcome anger and financial issues. Here he describes the ...
Read More
General News

I took part in the 2024 annual rough sleeping street count. Here’s what I found out.

Each autumn an annual street count is taken of the number of people rough sleeping in the UK. This number provides the government’s estimate as ...
Read More