Oxford Shower Project

Oxford Friends of Amma Shower Project
for the homeless

To read peoples experiences of volunteering on this project click here.

Running to raise funds for Amma 2010

Oudesh Bhurtun completed the Reading Half Marathon (13.1 miles) in 2hrs and 39 minutes to raise funds for the Oxford Shower Project. "The last three km were hard," said Oudesh, "as my calves were cramping. I had to stop and start until the finishing line. The atmosphere was great and the weather was great too. I am now taking a well earned rest before I attempt the Woodley 10K on 16 May 2010. I am so pleased I did it. It was with Amma's grace really and also encouragement and support from family and friends."

By the time you read this, Mike Sofroniou will have completed his half-marathon around Stratford-upon-Avon in aid of Amma's visit costs.

News from 2009

This is an up-date on the Shower Project, which opened in October, 2007. After a slow start the Project is now known to the homeless community, recognised by other charitable bodies and is a well-established project. The Management Committee express their gratitude to those who have supported us with donations and by volunteering at St Giles Church Hall in Oxford. We also thank the Vicar and his Council at St Giles for allowing us to use the premises without charge for rent or electricity.

Most importantly, we thank our Beloved Amma, for permitting us to carry out this work in her name.

We are averaging five to seven showers per week – eight on a really busy Saturday! And feeding rough sleepers, Big Issue sellers and our shower guests, with hot bacon rolls, food packs and as many teas and coffees as they require. We open for two hours only and it can be a hectic session with between 25-30 people enjoying the hot food and drink we serve.

In the last year we have handed out upwards of 1,500 breakfast food packs and have given over 300 guests the opportunity to have a hot shower with all toiletries, towels etc. supplied. Most importantly, we have greeted our guests as we would wish to be greeted, with open and caring hearts. We know that our guests appreciate and value our service and for the most part, they know too, that this project is but a small part of Amma’s worldwide humanitarian activities.

The Vicar of St Giles and the Director of the Gatehouse Café for the homeless (where we initially gained enough experience to be able to open the Shower), have both endorsed our efforts in writing. Rev. Andrew Bunch and Andrew Smith, Director of the Gatehouse have given us permission to use these endorsements in our fund-raising efforts and our publicity material.

Friends of Amma from Reading and London volunteer  and we also have help from students who volunteer in term time.

And we are fortunate to have some local volunteers who are not Amma devotees but simply want to help the homeless and support our efforts.

For Christmas we are handing out useful present of underwear, socks, toiletries and chocolate treats and will be serving turkey with stuffing to our guests. We are also opening with a skeleton team on Boxing Day from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

Contact Us

Donations

Thank you Mother for your blessings on all who cry out to you. And thank you again for allowing us to carry out this work in your name.

FRIENDS OF AMMA SHOWER PROJECT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
OXFORD
UNITED KINGDOM

DECEMBER 2009