Elmore’s caseworkers meet with Oxford MP

Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds has met with complex needs and mental health workers supporting people in our communities. In a meeting on 1 September 2021, the Member of Parliament for the bulk of the city discussed Universal Credit, social security entitlements and difficulties in accessing them, the high cost of living and difficulties for Elmore clients in accessing safe housing, and resettling Afghan refugees.

Since 1989, Elmore has worked with vulnerable people experiencing several overlapping challenges at the same time, including mental ill health, homelessness, rough sleeping, slavery, abuse, exploitation and alcohol and drug addictions. The charity also identifies the gaps in existing services and innovate services to ensure that no one is forced to fall through the cracks in service provision using the ‘Elmore way’, a subtle, person centred and flexible approach which brings out the skill and expert judgement of its experienced workers.

Tom Hayes, Chief Executive of Elmore Community Services, said: “So much of Elmore’s service delivery is affected by national and local policies which our MP helps to shape positively. So much of the support that we provide involves close cooperation with our MP’s excellent caseworking team in Cowley. It was fantastic for Elmore caseworkers to share their expertise and experiences with Anneliese Dodds about a range of issues and hear that she would be taking these up directly.”

Anneliese Dodds MP said: “It was great to join the Elmore team today to discuss their important work supporting people in Oxfordshire with complex needs and mental ill-health and victims of domestic violence. I wanted to thank the team for all of their work over the period of coronavirus and having me along for an enlightening discussion and sharing their experiences.”