Objectives of OxPAT
The Oxford Poverty Action Trust (OxPAT) was set up in 1996 to meet the challenge of visible poverty in the streets and invisible poverty in hostels, bed-and-breakfast accommodation etc.
Its aim is to give the public an alternative to giving money directly to beggars, thus fuelling dependency on alcohol or drugs; providing a means whereby their generosity can be channelled more productively.
One of the philosophies that underpin our work is that 100% of all donations are re-directed to local causes. We ensure that every penny donated to OxPAT goes to provide support to people in need. We get support to cover administrative costs from local businesses or the Council.
OxPAT Grant Policy
Core Principles
- OxPAT funds are to be used to provide direct help to homeless or vulnerably housed adults - e.g. food, clothing, shelter, rehabilitation.
- OxPAT funds are not to be used to fund administration nor on-going costs, nor to discharge statutory duties.
- OxPAT funds will only be distributed to or through recognised charitable agencies; and must be spent by or under the supervision of such an agency.
Distribution
The monies received by OxPAT are distributed through agency welfare funds to be spent on welfare services, rehabilitation, accommodation and training and education to help people to get off the streets and move forward.
Core Agencies
OxPAT will aim to distribute most of its funds to a core group of agencies via regular monthly standing orders to their welfare funds. It is each agency's responsibility to ensure this money is spent in accordance with OxPAT's core principles and to report back at the end of the calendar year as to how it has been spent.
In 2010, OxPAT's core agencies are:
- Aspire Oxfordshire
- Church of God Soup Kitchen
- Connection Oxford
- Elmore Team
- Julian Housing, part of Oxford Homeless Pathways
- O'Hanlon House, part of Oxford Homeless Pathways
- Simon House, part of A2Dominion Housing Group Ltd.
- Steppin Stone / The Porch
- The Gap
- The Gatehouse
Specific applications
Some of OxPAT's funds will be used to fund specific applications which are not from the core agencies. Examples of successful applications include requests for clothing, bedding, work tools, and transport costs to enable a person in need to travel to a job.
To apply for a grant for a homeless, or vulnerable, person, please download the OxPAT Grant Application Form, and follow the instructions on it.
- Grant Application Form in MS Word format, for those who have Word and can fill in the form electronically;
- Grant Application Form Adobe in pdf format, which can be printed and posted.
Further Information
There is more information in the following document(s).
- Oxford Poverty Action Trust Annual Report 2009
- Oxford Poverty Action Trust Annual Report 2008
- Oxford Poverty Action Trust Annual Report 2007
- Oxford Poverty Action Trust Annual Report 2006
- Oxford Poverty Action Trust Annual Report 2005-2006
- Oxford Poverty Action Trust Annual Report 2004-2005
- The OxPAT Brochure
Note that the brochure file is quite large - about 1,120kB - and so may take a long time to download.