This Christmas, we’re celebrating residents whose lives have been transformed thanks to the generosity of supporters like you. Ian’s journey from crisis to independence reminds us what’s possible when our community comes together.
Ian arrived at Mawle Court (our hostel in Banbury) in a bad way. He struggled with his mental health and agoraphobia, which made the prospect of living independently very daunting.
The staff caring for Ian at Mawle Court were patient and supportive. They took him on car journeys to help him overcome his fear of the wider world. “They were really helpful with any problems, and went above and beyond to help me,” said Ian. “Without the staff and Homeless Oxfordshire, I would likely have either gone back to hospital or been a complete wreck.”
Every person who stays with us at Homeless Oxfordshire arrives with a unique set of circumstances and barriers to overcome. For some it’s dependency on drugs or alcohol. Others have mental health problems, or have been in and out of hospital. But everyone who stays with us is given the chance to change things, no matter how many attempts it might take.
It took Ian three years to get to the point of being able to live independently. He is now living in his own flat, with a new lease on life.
“The sheer effort put into helping me was something that will always stay with me. I genuinely believe these people are doing what they do because they genuinely care as opposed to it just being a job.”
Your support, through donations and volunteering, enables us to give people like Ian a shot at a better future. Donations to Homeless Oxfordshire help fund training for our support workers, and allow them to take the kind of trauma-informed approach that Ian experienced.
Supporting people out of homelessness is about more than bricks and mortar. It’s about people helping people to find themselves again.
In Ian’s words: “I found a me I didn’t know existed.”
