Personnel from Catering Flight have been volunteering in their own time at O’Hanlon House, a hostel supporting people who have become homeless.
Open around the clock, O’Hanlon House, run by Homeless Oxfordshire, is a 56-bed hostel offering safety, warmth and specialist support to help people recover from homelessness. This Easter they have delivered Easter Eggs donated by personnel from RAF Brize Norton.
“I pitched the idea at the Catering Flight HQ meeting and it was greatly received by the team. It didn’t take long for the Easter Eggs to start arriving.”
Sergeant Gregory
RAF Brize Norton Catering Flight
Homelessness doesn’t have a postcode. Approximately 200,000 people experience homelessness in England each year. Homelessness is triggered by many reasons out of people’s control. Sadly, it’s everywhere and opening doors and creating opportunities is one of the main focuses of Homeless Oxfordshire.
“We have been working closely with personnel from RAF Brize Norton for some time now and have built a strong relationship with personnel from across the station. I was delighted when I was asked if the eggs were something our clients would benefit from. We have never had this before. This is more than just an Easter egg, it’s showing that we value the people using our services. Our clients have feelings and although this may be a simple gesture, it gives staff an opportunity to further engage with clients who have been let down by society and are at their most vulnerable. This simple act of kindness is just so much more.”
Jo Faulkner-Harvey
Head of Fundraising and Communications at Homeless Oxfordshire
As well as providing accommodation the hostel also supports homeless people via, Day Service for 80 clients, an overnight sit-up service for an additional 20 people as well as SWEP accommodating an additional 15 people during the severe weather.
Royal Air Force Chefs Corporal Paul Smith, Head Chef Sergeants Mess and Corporal Mark Gracey, Junior Ranks Mess, both volunteer at O’Hanlon House on a regular basis.
“Through one of our colleagues Maureen we have been volunteering on a regular basis. Our skills are transferrable and as chefs, we felt it was fitting to come and help out in any way we could in the kitchen. It is extremely rewarding to come along and help prepare and serve in the evenings. It is a fantastic opportunity to use our skills out in the community.”
Corporal Mark Gracey
RAF Brize Norton Catering Flight
“It is extremely hard to contemplate what some of these individuals have gone through, often through no fault of their own. This really is just a small gesture of kindness and one we hope will bring a smile.”
Sergeant Gregory
RAF Brize Norton Catering Flight
