People culture place

Looking to the future
The partners are seeing more people become
homeless due to funding cuts and changes
to the welfare system. Over the coming
years AOFS will enhance its engagement of
homeless people through a new participation
coordinator (with Big Lottery funding). It
will develop evaluation methodology using
storytelling to evidence impact and will look
for ways to share its learning.
Councillor Bob Price, Leader of Oxford City
Council, said: “When considering developing
services for homeless people and/or creating
public space for culture or sport, other
councils could look at how they can bring
these seemingly unconnected activities
together under one roof to support each
other’s mission.”
Key learning points
• The project’s strengths include its focus
on commercial business development, its
ability to attract partners with resources/
expertise and a strong, inclusive vision.
• The work is highly replicable, but cohabiting
with an experienced homelessness charity
gives AOFS a distinct advantage over most
cultural organisations.
For further information contact:
Peter McQuitty
Corporate Lead – Culture and the Arts, Oxford
City Council
Email: pmcquitty@oxford.gov.uk
Jeremy Spafford
Director, Arts at the Old Fire Station (AOFS)
Email: jeremy.spafford@oldfirestation.org.uk
The Old Fire Station in Oxford
Credit: Oxford City Council
23 The role of culture in placemaking