Where can I get help when I need it in Didcot?
This leaflet has been compiled by Libby Hawkness-Smith, Senior Community Chaplain, Wantage & Abingdon Methodist Circuit. For corrections, comments, additions, please contact Libby: 07860 805387, libby.communitychaplain@gmail.com,.
Support with food
€ Community Kitchen is a free, drop in lunch for anyone who needs it, that runs every Friday from 12nn at King Alfred Drive Community Centre. More info: www.facebook.com/didcotkitchen
€ Didcot emergency foodbank provides short-term relief by giving food to people in crisis. Open 11am-1pm, Tuesdays and Fridays, at Didcot Baptist Church. Referral based. More info: www.didcotbaptist.org.uk/regular-activities/didcot-foodbank
€ Olio is a free app which often lists free food and household items. More info: www.olioapp.com
€ SOFEA community larder is an affordable local food store, open to all. £10 one-off membership, weekly costs from £3.50 (for an individual shop). 1.30-4pm, Thursdays, at Northbourne Centre. More info: www.sofea.uk.com/community-larder/didcot-community-larder
Financial support
€ Changing Lives helps people in Didcot with small grants for things they need, e.g. wheelchairs, disability aids, home essentials. More info: www.facebook.com/groups/381448545549191
€ Christians Against Poverty helps with debt advice and financial planning. More info: www.thekingschurchdidcot.org/cap
€ Citizens Advice Bureau provides free advice for a wide range of problems. Appointments are pre-bookable only. More info: www.livewell.oxfordshire.gov.uk/Services/1426
€ Acorn Community Bank is a cooperative, owned by its members, with affordable rates. More info: www.acorncommunitybank.co.uk
Family support
€ First Steps is a referral-based baby bank in Didcot, providing a wide range of items for those in need. Fridays, 11am-1pm, at Didcot Baptist Church. More info: www.firststepsbabybank.co.uk
€ Every Little Thing Helps sells a wide range of items (mainly clothing, sometimes free uniform) for affordable prices, raising funds for local charities. More info: www.facebook.com/groups/685646981790574
€ Didcot Children & Families Centre provides support and advice for families who need extra help. More info:
www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/children-education-and-families/information-parents/children-and-family-centres/didcot-children-and-family
€ Grub Hub provides food and play days for families on low incomes over the summer holidays. More info: www.dcp.org.uk/about
€ Home Start is a befriending service that provides families in need with 2-3 hours of practical help each week, as selected by each family. More info: www.homestart-southernoxfordshire.org.uk
€ Style Acre offers a range of person-centred approach, from 24-hour care for those with complex learning, health, and/or physical difficulties, to (for those living independently) a few hours' support each week. More info: www.styleacre.org.uk/about/about-us
Support with mental health
Your GP should be one of your first calls if you're struggling with mental health. NHS 111 also has a mental health helpline after 6pm.
€ TRAIN works with all young people, especially who, for whatever reason, are having a tough time. More info: www.trainyouth.org.uk
€ Yellow Submarine works with secondary school aged young people with learning difficulties to build social skills, confidence and independence. More info: www.yellowsubmarine.org.uk/about-us
€ The Listening Centre, Oxford offers affordable CBT therapy, online and/or in person, for up to 26 sessions. Initial consultation is £20. More info: www.thelisteningcentre.org.uk/counselling
€ The Meta Centre for Trauma Therapy offers affordable EMDR therapy, for up to 26 sessions, for those who have experienced trauma and are unable to access the support they need through the NHS. More info: www.themettacentrefortraumatherapy.org
€ NHS Talking Therapies offers a range of support for those with a low level of underlying anxiety and/or depression. More info: www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/oxon-talking-therapies
€ Oxfordshire Mind Didcot Community Support Service offer tailored support activities for adults with mental health needs, learning and/or physical disabilities, and dementia. Services include showers, computer support, lunch club, health walks, podiatrist, and more. More info: www.oxmindguide.org.uk/minditem/didcot
€ Oxford Safe Haven offers additional out-of-hours, and emergency support, for adults living with mental health illness in Oxfordshire, 365 days a year. Pre-book before arrival: 01865 903037. More info: www.oxfordshiremind.org.uk/support-for-you/safe-haven
€ Samaritans are a free 24/7/365 helpline for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. Call 116123.
Support with housing
€ Better Housing Better Help is a national charity helping residents keep warm, stay safe and live well in their homes. More info: www.bhbh.org.uk/make-a-referral
€ Connection Support Rough Sleeper Outreach help people who are sleeping rough to access accommodation, health and mental health services, drug and alcohol support services, and benefits. More info: www.connectionsupport.org.uk/services/rough-sleeper-outreach-oxfordshire
€ Oxfordshire Homeless Movement offers a range of support and links to partner charities for those sleeping rough, including finding accommodation, mental health support, medical care, ID, showers. More info: www.oxfordshirehomelessmovement.org/i-need-help
€ StreetLink (St Mungo's Outreach Team) arranges visits to those sleeping rough to provide help finding accommodation at time of need. More info: www.homelessoxfordshire.uk/contact/#streetlink
€ South Oxfordshire District Council support with a range of issues, including homelessness prevention, help with bills, benefits and cost of living. More info: www.southoxon.gov.uk
€ South Oxfordshire Housing Association can help find affordable housing, and to maintain a home, for those in need. More info: www.soha.co.uk
Support for vulnerable migrants
€ Additional sources of support are listed in separate booklet. In addition, Migrant Help also supports vulnerable migrants, mainly with practical assistance. More info: www.migranthelpuk.org
Support overcoming addictions
€ Alcoholics Anonymous Didcot have meetings on Wednesday evenings and Sunday lunchtimes at Fleet Meadow Community Hall. More info: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/find-a-meeting
€ Didcot Stick & Share is a narcotics anonymous support group. Meets on Monday evenings at Didcot Methodist Church. More info: www.meetings.ukna.org/meeting/didcot-stick-and-share
€ Oxford Sex & Love Addicts Anonymous have online meetings three times a week, on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. More info: www.saauk.info/meetings
€ Turning Point provide tailored support, through key workers, groups and activities, for learning to live well with drug and alcohol addiction, mental health support, learning difficulties, sexual health, and for the families of those struggling. More info: www.turning-point.co.uk/services/oxfordshire
Support for survivors
€ Oxfordshire Sexual Abuse & Rape Crisis Centre offer support to survivors of abuse. More info: www.osarcc.org.uk
€ Reducing the Risk has a domestic abuse helpline (Monday to Friday, 10am-7pm) to help violence survivors. It also lists on their website several specialist abuse survivor support agencies. More info: www.reducingtherisk.org.uk/oxfordshire, 0800 7310055
€ Didcot sexual health clinic supports with a wide range of sexual health issues, family planning, and contraception. More info: www.sexualhealthoxfordshire.nhs.uk/clinics/didcot
Befriending & advice sessions
€ Be Free Young Carers supports young carers through recreational, emotional, and social support. More info: www.befreeyc.org.uk
€ Coffee & Cake meets at 11am on the first Monday of every month at Ladygrove pub. More info: 07765 248775
€ Didcot Good Neighbour Scheme is a community service, staffed by volunteers, to help isolated, elderly and vulnerable people, through friendship or occasional support. More info: www.dgns.org.uk
€ Didcot Memory Café is a weekly drop in, on Monday afternoons, for people living with dementia and their families. More info: www.dementiaoxfordshire.org.uk/series/didcot-memory-cafe
€ International Café is a weekly drop in space for internationals, including asylum seekers, at Didcot Baptist Church. It provides information on a range of issues experienced by those newly arrived in the country, and refreshments. More info: www.ccow.org.uk/international-cafe-didcot
€ My Vision is a social support group for those experiencing sight loss. Meets monthly at Cornerstone. More info: www.myvision.org.uk/whats-on/south-oxfordshire
€ Oxfordshire Age UK run activity sessions and support services across Didcot. More info: www.ageuk.org.uk/oxfordshire/our-services
€ Oxfordshire Autistic Society Information and Support runs a Coffee and Chat morning at Didcot Baptist Church. More info: www.oasisonline.org.uk/coffee-chat-3
€ SEND Buzz is a peer support group for parents of children with SEND in Didcot. More info: www.facebook.com/groups/970779580494880
€ Social Prescribing is a service, attached to each surgery, that helps connect people who are isolated with appropriate social support. More info: www.woodlandsmedicalcentre.com/social-prescribing
€ St Vincent de Paul, whose local branch operates out of English Martyrs, helps to tackle poverty through practical assistance. More info: www.didcotandwallingfordcatholicchurches.org/_files/ugd/
3b3e1c_b568601700234cecab62d2deb1b77ee9.pdf
Other forms of help
€ Didcot Volunteer Drivers arranges door-to-door transport for elderly people to access medical appointments. More info: www.didcotvolunteerdrivers.org.uk
€ Didcot Repair Café tries to fix broken household items, clothes, toys, bikes and mechanical items. Third Saturdays, 2-5pm at the Green Hub (in the SOHA building, accessed from Lydalls Road).
Faith spaces, local councillors, and local residents associations can often help signpost, or facilitate access to other services not listed here. Some useful links below.
€ South Oxfordshire District Councillors: www.democratic.southoxon.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=WARD&VW=LIST&PIC=0
€ Churches Together in Didcot: www.ctdd.org.uk
€ Didcot Mosque: www.facebook.com/p/Didcot-Mosque-100009810193169
