Oxford News
Cowley St John church to create modular homeless homes
Cowley St John Parochial Church in East Oxford is one of only eight projects nationwide to receive funding from national homelessness charity St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity through its new Access to Accommodation Fund.
This new scheme supports grassroots organisations in creating and scaling ‘creative’ housing solutions.
Reverend Martha Weatherill, vicar of Cowley St John, said: “When the church was built 150 years ago, it was built for the marginalised, so we’re carrying on that legacy.
“Anyone who knows Oxford thinks of education – the colleges and spires – and yet in East Oxford a lot of children don’t complete secondary school.
“Homeless figures are high. We have the space, but it’s not being used, and if we can turn that into homes that could change lives, that will make an important difference.
“It’s even more exciting to think our work could provide a model for other parts of the country to follow.”
The church plans to build four modular homes on unused land in Magdalen Road.
Each home will include a bedroom, bathroom and fully fitted kitchen, and will be made available to individuals experiencing homelessness.
Construction is set to begin within the next six months, with the homes expected to be completed within a year.
This is the first time in Oxford that unused church land has been used for homeless accommodation.
The homes will also offer ‘wraparound’ support to residents.
Cowley St John Parochial Church was chosen from nearly 100 applicants.
The selection was based on the project’s potential to create accommodation, its understanding of the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness, its involvement of individuals with lived experience in its design and delivery, and its potential to be scaled up or replicated elsewhere.
Duncan Shrubsole, CEO of St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity, said: “Locally based homelessness charities are on the frontline of our housing crisis, facing rising need and ever greater challenges in trying to find affordable, appropriate accommodation to rehouse people in.
“We hope this programme demonstrates that new accommodation solutions are still possible and that it will encourage government, local councils and other funders to invest in similar such initiatives so more people can have a safe and secure place to call home.”
According to the charity’s annual survey of frontline workers, 83 per cent reported difficulties in accessing suitable accommodation for people experiencing homelessness.
Meanwhile, 55 per cent said the situation had worsened over the past year.
Najeebullah Arab, of Mayfield Avenue, Grove, was today (Friday, June 19) sentenced at Oxford Crown Court to 10 years and 11 months’ imprisonment, an extended licence period of six years, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 20 years and a lifetime restraining order for his victims.
The 40-year-old Afghan national pleaded guilty to sexually communicating with the 14-year-old child in May 2024.
READ MORE: Afghan man jailed for violent sexual offences in Wantage
He was on court bail for that offence when he sexually assaulted a woman in her 20s in January this year and, less than a week after that, sexually assaulted, kidnapped and raped a 19-year-old woman in Wantage.
Senior investigating officer detective chief inspector Stuart May of the Thames Valley Police said: “Firstly, I want to pay tribute to the victims in this case, whose courage in coming forward has been vital in securing justice.
“They were rightly described as heroes by HHJ Nott during today’s sentencing.
“Arab is a dangerous sexual predator who targeted women and subjected them to traumatic and violent offences.
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“His actions have had a lasting impact on his victims, and it is right that he will now spend a significant period of time behind bars.
“This sentence reflects the seriousness of his crimes and ensures he can no longer pose a risk to the public.
“I hope this outcome provides some reassurance to the victims and the wider community that offenders like Arab will be brought to justice.”
Home-Start Oxford is marking Small Charity Week, running from June 22 to 29, by highlighting the vital role small organisations play in supporting communities.
Based in the centre and west of Oxfordshire, the charity offers free, confidential support to parents and carers with young children who are experiencing challenges such as postnatal depression, isolation, bereavement, health issues or disability.
Katharine Barber, CEO of Home‑Start Oxford, said: “Small charities are often closest to the people who need them most.
“We may be small in structure, but the difference we make is huge.
“Every week, our volunteers and staff walk alongside families who are facing incredibly tough circumstances, offering practical help, emotional support and a listening ear.
“Small Charity Week is a chance to shine a light on the essential role organisations like ours play in strengthening communities and to recognise the people who make it all possible.”
Despite rising demand, higher costs and a challenging funding environment, Home‑Start Oxford has supported more than 600 families so far this year.
This impact has been made possible thanks to the dedication of its volunteers, staff and supporters.
The charity is encouraging people to mark Small Charity Week by turning short-term awareness into lasting action.
Ms Barber said: “There are so many ways to support a small charity – from volunteering a few hours, to holding a fundraiser, becoming a regular giver, or simply sharing our work with others.”
The former Top Gear and Grand Tour host purchased Diddly Squat Farm in Chadlington, Oxfordshire, back in 2008.
Having taken over the day-to-day operations back in 2019, Mr Clarkson started filming for the first season of Clarkson’s Farm, which was released in 2021.
Available on Prime Video, the documentary shows life on the farm and highlights the plight of British farmers.
READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson bids final goodbye to Clarkson’s Farm fan favourite
The fifth series had a staggered release across this month, with fans able to now binge-watch all eight new episodes.
This time last year, series four had also just been released, and Mr Clarkson followed up the conclusion of this with an announcement on his latest venture.
The 66-year-old has written several books over the years, including multiple which have covered his farming adventures in Oxfordshire.
He announced in June of 2025 that another was set to release later on in the year called Diddly Squat: The Farmer’s Dog.
READ MORE: TV legend praises Jeremy Clarkson after meeting him at Cotswolds pub
The book covered the latest action on the farm as well as his Asthall pub, The Farmer’s Dog, becoming the fifth book Mr Clarkson has written in the series.
Having purchased the Cotswolds watering hole for around £1m, the former Top Gear and Grand Tour presenter opened it to the public in the summer of 2024.
Although no confirmation has yet been made, it is expected that another book will be released this year, following on from Clarkson’s Farm series five.
It has also been confirmed that filming for the show’s sixth season is underway, with an anticipated release date in 2027.
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