How often does a breakthrough begin with a group of people meeting regularly to pray for it?
That’s what happened when a group of women from across different local churches in Oxford began to pray online during the Covid pandemic. They prayed each week that God would open up a new way for the churches of Oxford to provide more support to the city’s neediest children.
Out of these prayers, a conversation arose with the charity, Safe Families, which has a strong record of enabling linking volunteers to families in need of some extra support, working with dozens of local authorities across the nation. As prayer continued, churches began to offer to pay for this service to run in Oxford, and then people also began to volunteer as ‘referrers’ who would identify families in need of support, and as ‘friends’ who would support those families.
There are now 15 churches working together to make this project a success, representing Anglicans, Baptists, Pentecostals and a range of diaspora churches.
‘Safe Families Oxford’ officially launched in 2024 for a two-year period with Oxford churches meeting most of the annual cost (£50,000). During 2024 and 2025, we expect to see more families being served, as the number of volunteers grows. We also hope to see a growing stream of regular financial giving from individuals, which would help to ensure that this service can continue beyond the initial two-year period.
What can I do to help?
If you would like to receive the monthly newsletter about this ground-breaking project, or to find out more about volunteering, please contact Oxford’s ‘Family & Community Worker,’ Sally Snelson (@email).
If you would like to contribute financially, you can do so below:
Please note: the partner churches have agreed to funnel finances through Oxford Community Church, who have signed a contract with Safe Families on behalf of all the churches. If you want to understand more about this arrangement, please email @email.
Safe Families
Safe Families works with 50+ Local Authorities, has 150 staff and currently has 5000+ volunteers from more than 1500 churches and community groups in the UK. As a result of its support, Safe Families has seen a decrease of the flow of children into care of between 9 and 16 per cent.
This video tells of just one family amongst thousands that have benefitted: