Oxford homelessness charity extends opening hours during heatwave
The Porch says high temperatures are a major risk to the people they support
A homelessness charity in Oxford is stepping up its efforts to help people stay safe as temperatures continue to soar.
The Porch has been keeping its doors open longer to give vulnerable people access to shade, drinking water and support.
Service manager Kizzie Flynn-Jones said many people still associate the risks of homelessness with winter, despite the risks hot weather can bring.
“There are significant dangers to our homeless community within the summer months as well,” she said.
“There’s always the high risk of dehydration, sunstroke, that could be detrimental to life and put people in a really precarious situation.”
The charity normally runs its lunch service between 11.30am and 2pm, but this has increased by an hour and a half to give people more time out of the sun.
The Porch has also been handing out sun cream and encouraging visitors to stay hydrated throughout the day, while staff carry out additional welfare checks.
“We’re incredibly vigilant and checking on people and just making sure that they’re all right,” Kizzie said.
The charity supports between 50 and 80 people each day through its breakfast and daytime services, including rough sleepers and those living in temporary accommodation.
Kizzie said the heatwave is having a major impact on people living on the streets or without a stable home.
“It’s an absolute struggle for people,” she said. “Struggling to get refills of water in the evening, struggling to find a cool place to sleep. The exposure is obviously very detrimental to health - not just physical health, but mental health.”
The charity is asking people in Oxford to donate bottled water, sun cream or volunteer to help support people experiencing homelessness during the hot weather.