A HOMELESSNESS action group has asked the public to ‘bear with it’ while it takes time to review its objectives after it parted ways with a charity that previously gave it support.

Homes4All, a Witney-based action group that aims to provide emotional and practical support to homeless people and those facing housing issues, has had a difficult 2018 so far.

After first facing controversy over its decision to sell the artwork of notorious prisoner Charles Bronson to raise funds, the group was then forced to close its homelessness cafe in Oxford after its supporting charity, Wash My Pink Jumper, cut it loose.

In a statement yesterday, the group, which formed just over a year ago, said: “Homes4All wishes to announce that following extensive internal restructuring it is now a totally autonomous and independent organisation.

“We are very grateful to the charity Wash My Pink Jumper for allowing Homes4all to function under its auspices while we were in our infancy; but, it has now become clear to both parties that Homes4all has reached a point in its evolutionary history where the clear way forward is for us to establish it as a separate, self-sufficient entity.”

The group had been running a cafe for homeless people in the former Lush store in Cornmarket Street in central Oxford.

Withdrawal of support from Wash My Pink Jumper, which provided insurance cover on the operation of the cafe, meant it had to close.

Initially, Homes4All said this would be temporary, but it now appears the cafe will not re-open.

The statement continues to urge the public to bear with it while it explores the options for becoming a ‘legally constituted body’ and appoints a ‘management committee’.

It added: “Homes4all is also taking this opportunity to review, and if deemed necessary, revise, our mission statement, strategic aims, and operational objectives, so as to ensure that they are a true and honest reflection of our aspirations.”

Wash My Pink Jumper, a charity which was formed to support young women with alcohol issues, released a statement on January 10 revealing it had withdrew its support of Homes4All.

Its statement said: “Wash My Pink Jumper will no longer be the supporting charity for the project Homes4All.

“It has been clear for some time, that [Homes4All founder] Deborah Robson-Grey, who was the inspirational catalyst for Homes4All, would like to take this project forward on her own.”

This week, a spokesman for the charity commission, asked by the Witney Gazette about outstanding financial information for Wash My Pink Jumper, said: “It has now submitted its outstanding financial information.

“We will be contacting the charity to clarify whether it is still operating and carrying out charitable activity. We will also be seeking further information about the charity’s relationship with Homes4All and whether the trustees of this organisation, which is not a registered charity, intend to apply for charitable status.”