The Gatehouse Oxford

Who we are

The Gatehouse is an independent Oxford charity that has been supporting people experiencing homelessness, poverty, social isolation and insecure housing since 1988. Founded by a group of Oxford churches as a winter shelter, we have grown into a year-round community hub providing practical support, advice, wellbeing services and opportunities for personal development.

We operate an open-access model, welcoming adults aged 18+ who are homeless, vulnerably housed, on low incomes, or simply seeking community and connection. Our services include a daily drop-in café, casework support, counselling, shower and clothing provision, workshops and activities, women's services, and our Lived Experience Advisory Forum (LEAF), which enables people with lived experience to help shape services and influence wider systems change.

At the heart of The Gatehouse is a commitment to dignity, inclusion and belonging. We work in a trauma-informed, person-centred way, recognising the strengths and potential of every individual. Through practical support, meaningful relationships and opportunities for participation, we help people overcome barriers, improve wellbeing and move towards greater stability and independence. 

Supported by a dedicated staff team of twenty people and around 400 volunteers, The Gatehouse is a vital part of Oxford's response to homelessness and social exclusion, offering sanctuary today and support for the future.

Our culture and values

The Gatehouse is a welcoming, inclusive and values-led organisation. We believe that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, compassion and respect, regardless of their circumstances. Our culture is shaped by our commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment for guests, volunteers, staff and partners alike.

We work in a trauma-informed, person-centred and strengths-based way, recognising that people are experts in their own lives and that meaningful change happens through trusting relationships, hope and opportunity. We seek to understand the barriers people face whilst focusing on their strengths, aspirations and potential.

Our Core Values

Dignity and Respect
We welcome people without judgement and believe that everyone should be treated with kindness, fairness and respect.

Inclusion and Belonging
We are committed to creating a community where everyone feels accepted, valued and able to participate, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Compassion and Hope
We provide practical and emotional support with empathy, recognising that even small acts of kindness can help create lasting change.

Partnership and Collaboration
We work alongside guests, volunteers, staff, funders and partner organisations, recognising that the best solutions are developed together.

Lived Experience and Empowerment
We believe people with lived experience should have a voice in shaping services and influencing change. We actively promote co-production and participation through initiatives such as our Lived Experience Advisory Forum (LEAF).

Learning and Innovation
We continually reflect, learn and adapt to ensure our services remain relevant, effective and responsive to the needs of our community.

What It Feels Like to Work Here

The Gatehouse is a place where people genuinely care about one another and about the people we serve. We value initiative, creativity and collaboration. Staff and volunteers are trusted to contribute ideas, challenge constructively and support one another. While our work can be demanding, it is also deeply rewarding, and we strive to maintain a culture that is supportive, flexible and focused on wellbeing.

Above all, we are united by a shared belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to live with dignity, connection and purpose.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

The Gatehouse is committed to creating a workplace where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness and respect. We believe that diversity strengthens our organisation and helps us better serve the diverse communities of Oxford.

We are committed to providing equality of opportunity in recruitment, employment, training, development and promotion. We do not tolerate discrimination, harassment, bullying or victimisation on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.

Our recruitment processes are designed to be fair, transparent and based on merit. We actively encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, particularly those whose voices are underrepresented within the charity sector and those with relevant lived experience.

As an organisation supporting people experiencing homelessness, poverty and social exclusion, we recognise the importance of understanding and addressing inequality. We strive to create an inclusive culture where staff, volunteers and guests feel welcomed, valued and able to contribute fully. We promote open dialogue, continual learning and reflection to ensure that our practices remain inclusive and responsive.

The Gatehouse works in a trauma-informed and person-centred way, recognising that people may face multiple and intersecting barriers. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments wherever possible and supporting flexible working arrangements that enable people to thrive in their roles.

We regularly review our policies, procedures and organisational culture to ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion remain central to how we work, make decisions and deliver our services. Our aim is not simply to prevent discrimination, but to create a genuinely inclusive environment where differences are recognised, respected and celebrated.