Residents and staff from five OSJCT care homes held a collection for Oxford Community Emergency Foodbank (CEF). The collection was led by Longlands care home, in Blackbird Leys, Oxford, which represented other Trust care homes when they attended a CEF event at nearby St Frances Church to handover the collected goods. 

CEF aids local people of all ages, from young children to the elderly. The heartfelt collection aimed to inspire hope through generosity and shows that the spirit of giving among those who live and work in OSJCT care homes is active.

Isis House (Oxford), Meadowcroft (Thame), Paternoster House (Cirencester), Stirlings, (Wantage) and the Trust’s Care Quality team also took part in the collection. Donations were made by residents and employees, all eager to make a difference, and including canned goods, dry foods, and toiletries.

The contributions were gratefully received by CEF and will be organised into food parcels and given out to those in need. 

Olga Hammerschmidt, Longlands resident, joined the CEF event at St Frances Church, and said: "It is nice giving back to the community." 

James Ryne, Longlands resident, said of the event: "By giving, you plant hope in a world that desperately needs it." 

Kelly Marie Allen, Longlands Home Manager, said: "Hunger knows no boundaries; neither should compassion. This collection, driven by our residents, is inspirational. The act of kindness nourishes not just the body but also the soul."

Regina Topali, Longlands Head of Care, said: "Sharing what we have transforms our communities into places of care and love, and that is what Longlands is all about."

The collection demonstrates the kindness of residents and staff in OSJCT care homes and their desire to make a positive difference in the local community.

Photo caption: From left - representatives from CEF Oxford with Megan, Activities Co-ordinator, and Shaun, Handy Person, from Longlands (back row), with residents Olga and Jamie (seated).