Church winter night shelter for homeless in Oxford stays shut due to coronavirus

For the past three years 12 churches hosted the shelter from January to March, with its services running alongside those provided by the city council and other homelessness agencies.

But organisers have decided the shelter will not run in winter 2021, following discussions with Oxford City Council and following detailed consideration of the recently published Government guidelines in relation to coronavirus restrictions for winter night shelter providers.

Read more: Woman cyclist killed in crash with bin lorry

Mary Gurr, Oxford’s chaplain to the homeless, said: “Due to the guidelines OWNS would be unable to comply with most of the requirements to ensure the safety of its guests and volunteers from Covid-19.

Rev Mary Gurr

"However, in its discussions with the city council, OWNS understands that the intention is that sufficient accommodation will be provided by the council for all rough sleepers in Oxford during this winter while the pandemic prevails.

"OWNS is disappointed not to be offering its overnight hospitality this winter but is relieved that efforts are being made to ensure that there is overnight provision for all who require it.”

Read more: Man in 70s burgled by two men who laughed at him

Rev Gurr added that the shelter team has been approached by St Mungo’s, the outreach team in Oxford, for its volunteers to work alongside the St Mungo’s professional team, at one of the sites of temporary accommodation being provided by the city council.

She said: "It is to our volunteers' credit that they are considered suitable for this work.

Bob Earl, an OWNS volunteer in 2018

Read more: Nuisance 999 caller jailed

"These times have made many organisations respond to changing situations, and we are exploring other options and solutions to reach out to homeless people in Oxfordshire, seeking to fill gaps in existing provision and in ways which will most benefit them."