Porch and Stepping Stone Centre low income help in Oxfordshire

Many services are provided by the Porch, which is a charity organisation based in Oxfordshire. The assistance is available as part of the Stepping Stone Centre, and the homeless and low income can call upon the organisation for help.

The charity does offer its own solutions to people that are struggling and on a low income, and they also partner closely with other agencies in the council. So signposting and referrals are a main services provided by the Porch.

Food and practical support

There are a few main programmes offered to those in poverty. Each will rely on volunteers and donations from the community.

• Low cost meals, such as lunches and dinners, are served from a cafe. The make up of the food will change, but each person will need to pay a small amount to get a healthy meal and hot drink as well.
• Clothing may be provided to the homeless and children, and this is a free store.
• A food bank will provide a parcel to people on a low income with a voucher.
• Other forms of practical support include laundry as well as personal hygiene items for the homeless.

The types of practical support from Porch and their Stepping Stone Centre will change based on donations. As an example, there may be times in which clothing is sold at a low cost and is not free, but this will vary throughout the year. Volunteers are always needed to serve a meal, or provide support to clients.

Advice and signposting from Stepping Stone Centre

Support workers will partner with the client to address the cause of their crisis. This will include budgeting as well as help in applying to, and maximising, benefits. The Porch will offer other support as needed as well, and each plan is tailored to the needs.

• Life skills and job training is arranged.
• Outings will be arranged across Oxfordshire.
• Budgeting classes are arranged as well with partners such as CAB.

A key aim is on addressing unemployment and help people maximise their income. So to this end, much of the support will focus on employment, such as creating a CV and help with a job search. Clients will participate in workshops to learn the proper work etiquette, such as being on time and working with others. There will also be classes on work and computer skills.

Work experiences can be obtained from programmes such as Steppin’ Forward, and this can provide experience in basic work tasks with partners such as Elder Stubbs. People will be able to work in a garden to grow their own food and healthy items.

Programmes such as these will make a big difference in giving people the experience they need in order to get a better job. A key focus of this is on rough sleepers and the homeless, and they will be able to gain some basic employment skills from Steppin’ Forward and similar services.

There are many other services provided by the Porch and Stepping Stone Centre, and most focus on hunger and homeless prevention. Clients may be sleeping rough or were impacted by a job redundancy and now on a low income. So clients can get food and help with improving their skills, and the aim is to get the client back on a patch to stability. The main centre is at 139 Magdalen Rd, Cowley, Oxford, OX4 1RL, and call 01865 251798.