We partner with generous hearts all over Oxfordshire to bring hope to families in need.
A clothes and equipment resource providing for children aged 0 to 10. (Open: 10am – 2pm, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays – Closed for School Holidays)
What IS Small Steps?
Small Steps is our first community focused initiative receiving our first referrals in December 2020, from our new home at Templars Square Shopping Centre.
We stock donations of clothes and equipment for babies and children to help families who may struggle to afford these items, including giving ‘Baby Baskets’ to Oxford mums-to-be.
Any questions, please email us at: smallsteps@hopeoxford.org
“I had a mother who had nothing other than a babygrow for her new daughter. Small Steps have provided everything she could need to be a new first time mum. She was completely overwhelmed by all the items. I completed the referral on Friday afternoon and the items had arrived by Monday. I cannot recommend this service enough”
Free Support
You can book a slot if your family are impacted by health, financial or other significant need.
On your first visit, you can refer yourself, but you will need to give contact details of a trusted person who can verify your need. (eg school, nursery, social care or healthcare professionals, community or faith group leaders).
For return visits, you will need a referral completed on your behalf.
Charity shop
Small Steps is open as a charity shop for good quality, low cost children’s clothing, which has been highlighted as a need within our community. Open Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays: 10:00am – 2pm. (closed during school holidays)
There are two ways to get involved.
1: Donate Clothes and Equipment
We are open to donations during shop hours. Please check the list below for donations we’re currently accepting.
Hope Oxford, is Unit 4, The Square, Templars Square Shopping Centre, OX4 3XD.
Find us in the old WH Smith unit, between Poundland and Superdrug in Templar’s Square Shopping Centre)
NB: If second hand, please wash items before donating. We can only accept donations of clothing and bedding from smoke free homes.
Items for Oxford Baby Baskets (For mums-to-be)
New or lightly used: Moses baskets (no mattresses) & stands, sheets & blankets, vests, sleep suits, hats maternity pads, breast pads, cotton wool, nappies, wipes, lanolin, muslins, towels, baby shampoo/ soap.
Feeding
High chairs, sterilisers (for microwave), bottles, feeding pillows, weaning items e.g. bowls, spoons, bibs, cups and breast pumps (manual or without electrical plug, with all parts included & instruction manual if possible).
Shoes/Wellies: up to UK Size 3 (EU Size 36)
From baby-size to size 3, paired & good condition (no stains/ heavy scuffing
All Clothes: Ages 6 TO 10 only*
All forms of clothing from 0-10 years including dressing up clothes, paired socks, coats, outdoor clothing, swim-wear, plain school uniforms, tights, & new underwear.
If you’re able to sort them by gender and size, and provide a note of this, that would be helpful.
Sleeping, Bathing and CHanging
Moses baskets, cots/ travel cots, bed guards, sheets, blankets, cot mobiles, baby sleeping bags, muslins, baby towels, changing bags, changing mats, potties, nappies, toilet seats, baby baths.
(Please note: we cannot accept mattresses)
Slings, Pushchairs and Prams
Slings, baby/toddler carriers, All pushchair/ pram items including footmuffs, raincovers, front packs. Please ensure these are clean and fully working. (Please note: we are not able to accept car seats)
Toys and Games
all toys, playmats/baby gyms and games need to have a ‘CE’ mark to show they comply with safety requirements. Please note we do not take soft toys or devices that hold children e.g. baby walkers/ jumperoos.
2: Volunteer with us
We need all sorts of help: sorting donations, fundraising, serving people who visit us, communications, book keeping, and much more.
We are currently have volunteers during shop opening hours. So if you have spare time on Mondays, Wednesdays or Thursdays, then please do get in touch.
Charity bike ride
On Hope Vineyard’s 3rd Birthday, 12th September 2020 a team of cyclists set out on a charity bike ride.
1 ride, 2 routes; one route of 111 miles, another of 56, both raising money for ‘Small Steps’.
The aim of Small Steps is to make a significant difference to a number of families currently facing hardship. This number is predicted to increase as the longer-term repercussions of the coronavirus outbreak take effect.
Read the full story in the Oxford Mail
Every child is a Gift from God
Small Steps is an initiative of Hope Vineyard Oxford. We run lots of activities for children, young people and their families.
If you would like to find out more about the value we place on children, or discover more about Hope Vineyard, then we’d invite you to explore the website and get in touch.