How we can help others
Gatehouse
As part of our commitment to justice, Cornerstone has for several years supported the work of Gatehouse. Gatehouse is a charity that works with homeless and vulnerably housed people in Oxford. You can find out more about the amazing work they do here - http://oxfordgatehouse.org/
Every month, Cornerstone organises a collection of food for Gatehouse to use primarily in their drop-in café. We also have links with the Thame Sharing Life Food Bank, enabling their surplus stock to be donated to Gatehouse.
For the past couple of years, in partnership with Haddenham Baptist Church, we have run a project at Christmas seeking donations of items or money. This has enabled us to provide Gatehouse with around 40 new rucksacks filled with useful items, for them to give out as Christmas presents for their guests.
If you are interested in getting involved, we would love to hear from you. Or just look out for our next monthly food donation, and add a few extra items to your shopping list to support those who are most in need. Thank you!
With A Little Love
With a Little Love or WALL is a baby clothes lending library. Once a month we set up in a basement of a Thame church where parents and carers pop in to get new clothes for their babies. They often bring clothes their baby has outgrown for us to redistribute. The age range we cater for is Prem to 2 years.
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WALL was set up in 2013 by Lucy Mayer, a former church member. She says, “I suppose it was originally born out of the awareness that there were huge numbers of mums who really struggled to afford baby clothes during that first year, when sizes can be outgrown in a matter of weeks! When we had the twins out in Australia, we had no friends or family to hand things down to us, and baby clothes cost a small fortune. I remember passing on our outgrown things to a fellow twin mum that I had met through a group, and her relief and gratitude were quite extraordinary.”
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Another motivation for running WALL is to recycle clothing. The textile industry is a significant contributor to carbon emissions and the processes involved pollute water and air in non-UK countries where they are produced. Fabric waste is also a source of pollution especially when distributed to countries with inefficient waste disposal mechanisms.
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At WALL we aim to bless the community with a welcoming place to meet. We are pleased that we are extending the life of these garments and at the same time, are providing families with free clothing. Bonus is that we get to meet lots of lovely babies!
Asylum Welcome
Asylum Welcome are a charity based in Oxford that work to support asylum seekers and refugees who are living in Oxfordshire in a wide range of ways.
Last summer the government placed a significant number of refugee families in hotels within Oxfordshire and a small group from several churches in the area, including Cornerstone, have been working alongside Asylum Welcome to provide practical support and help to some of them.
Visit Asylum Welcome's website to find out more about what they do and for practical ways to help. www.asylum-welcome.org
Persecuted Christians
Over 360 million Christians suffer persecution and discrimination. They follow Jesus, no matter the cost.
If you would like to find out more and how you can help and pray, visit these websites:
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Open Doors: https://www.opendoorsuk.org/
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Release International: https://releaseinternational.org/