Winter support is being rolled out for struggling families and individuals in Oxfordshire.

Families and individuals struggling with finances or needing help because of Covid 19 this winter can now access support provided by the different councils in Oxfordshire as well as voluntary and community organisations.

Oxfordshire's county and district councils have received £1.37 million from the government’s new Covid 19 Winter Grant Scheme to run local support schemes for those in need.

They are working closely together to identify residents requiring urgent assistance, alongside local Citizens Advice services.

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Ian Hudspeth, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “This Christmas will be different and difficult for every one of us, but I am determined that no resident will go without essentials. Families who are struggling because of the impact of Covid 19 will receive essential support to get them through the winter.

“Our schemes are aimed at supporting families with children, with most of the money to be spent on this group. Other households struggling directly or indirectly due to the impact of COVID-19 will also be assisted with the costs of food and other essential items.

“We know that ‘holiday hunger’ remains a serious concern for many families and we are determined to do everything we can to alleviate those worries.”

Support will also available through food banks and other community food services.

The first element of the scheme has been dispatched over the last week. More than £400,000 worth of support for food and other essential supplies was distributed to the families of children and young people entitled to free school meals, and younger children with qualifying eligibility in early years settings.

Schools, colleges and early years settings have worked closely with the councils to distribute this support in advance of the Christmas holidays.

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For anyone needing support this winter, Good Food Oxford’s food map provides practical information to help find and access information about services such as foodbanks, community kitchens and food surplus cafes. It covers the whole of Oxfordshire.

This easy to use map helps users search for services that are closest to them. Support is available to anyone who needs it, offering anything from a cooked meal, to food parcels that can be taken away for another time.

Fiona Steel, from Good Food Oxford, said: “Food insecurity is a real challenge this winter. Ensuring that every child in need has additional support over the Christmas holidays will make things just that little bit easier at a time when things are tough for so many.”

The places you can get help with food in Oxford this Christmas

Oxford City Council has also stressed there are a large number of groups providing support throughout the Christmas break.

Visit oxford.gov.uk/CommunityAssistance for information about support available during the pandemic.

The places below are also providing help with food

Community Cupboard @ Rose Hill Methodist Church

Open – Wednesday 23rd Dec, Wednesday 30th Dec (13:30 – 15:30)

https://rosehillmethodists.org.uk

Cutteslowe Community Larder @ Cutteslowe Community Centre - 31 Wren Road

Community Larder, Registration required

Open - Wednesday 23rd Dec, Wednesday 30th Dec (14:00 – 16:00)

https://www.facebook.com/Cutteslowe-Community-Larder-101896801560246

Barton Community Association @ Barton Neighbourhood Centre – Underhill Circus

Community Larder, Registration Required

Open – Tuesday 22nd Dec, Tuesday 29th Dec (14:00 – 18:00)

https://www.bartoncommunityassociation.com/community-cupboard/

OX4 Free Food Crew @ Flo’s Place in the Park

Free Hot Meals, must register before attending

Open – Saturday 26th Dec, Wednesday 30th Dec, Saturday 2nd Jan

https://www.flosoxford.org.uk/ox4freefoodcrew/

Nishkam SWAT @ Broad Street Van

Hot Food Collection from Broad Street

Open – 7-8pm Tuesday 22nd Dec, Thursday 24th Dec, Tuesday 29th Dec, Thursday 31st Dec

Oxford Gatehouse @ St Giles Parish Rooms – 10 Woodstock Road

Takeaway Food Service

Open – Monday 21st Dec, Monday28th Dec, Friday 1st Jan

http://oxfordgatehouse.org

Oxford Gatehouse @ St Giles Parish Rooms – 10 Woodstock Road

Food Delivery Service

Open – Tuesday 22nd Dec, Tuesday 29th Dec

http://oxfordgatehouse.org

Botley Community Larder @ St Peter and St Pauls Church Hall – Westway Botley

Community Larder, Registration Required

Open – Monday 21st Dec (15:00 – 17:30)

https://foodforcharities.com/botley-community-larder/

The Community Larder and Food for Charities in conjunction with Botley Bridges Family Support Charity @ St Peter and St Pauls Church Hall – Westway Botley

Free Christmas Hampers for Low Income Families

Open – Throughout Christmas Period

https://www.botleybridges.org/free-christmas-hampers/

Rose Hill Lottery Project

Free hot meal collection from Rose Hill Community Centre

21st/22nd/23rd December 11:30 – 13:30

Oxford Christmas Lunch

Free Christmas meal delivered to isolated people on Christmas

25th December

sara@oxfordchristmaslunch.org

Oxford Mutual Aid

Emergency food support

7 Days a week 10am – 7pm

https://oxfordmutualaid.org/

Blackbird Leys Community Larder

Community Larder, Registration Required

Open – Wednesdays 3pm – 5pm

blackbirdleyslarder@outlook.com

Rose Hill Community Larder

Community Larder, Registration Required

Open – Tuesdays 2.15pm – 4pm

Larder@mcsoxford.org

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