Oasis Community Housing
A homelessness charity delivering crisis services and supported accommodation for men, women and young people across the North East and South East England. Here, Northern Insights speaks with their Corporate Partnerships Manager, Sophie Barker.
Why was the charity formed?
Oasis Community Housing was formed in 1984 by a group of young Christians living in Gateshead, who were shocked by the levels of homelessness they were seeing and wanted to do something to help. They raised enough money to buy a house, which gave a home to five young women. Today we support around 1,300 men, women and young people, but our mission remains the same: to reignite hope and a future for everyone facing homelessness.
Which area do you cover?
We work across the North East, including Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland, as well as having projects across Southwark, south London.
What type of fundraising events do you have?
We run an incredible mix of charity events each year. Coming up, our ‘Giving a Home’ Launch at The Alchemist (23 October) is a relaxed event, offering a great way to find out more about how you could get involved in our Christmas appeal.
Back by popular demand, is Gingerbread Street – our gingerbread building competition where businesses help us create a tiny confectionary community. Because solving homelessness is about more than just a roof overhead. Gingerbread Street is now open for entries, with tickets available for an exclusive after-hours unveiling of the exhibition at The Biscuit Factory on 2 December.
A highlight is always our annual Black and Gold Ball; it’s a really special evening, where we thank our amazing corporate partners and present our Shared Value Awards. We also love our challenge events. This year’s Great North Runners were phenomenal, and our Oasis Cup five-a-side football tournament remains a great teambuilding day for local businesses.
Who are your trustees and patrons?
Our board of trustees bring experience from social, political and community backgrounds. They play a valued, active role in guiding the charity, ensuring we achieve the greatest impact for people facing homelessness.
We’re also very proud to have the BBC’s The Reverend Canon Kate Bottley as a Patron. Her commitment and generosity are invaluable in helping to raise awareness of our life-changing work.
What have been your proudest moments so far?
I’ve been volunteering for Oasis Community Housing for years, but I’m really proud to have joined the staff team in May this year. I’ve already been so inspired by the dedication of colleagues, our volunteers, supporters and corporate partners, and their shared goal to help others find a place to call home.
I heard one young woman, who used to live in one of our projects, say, “Whenever I think of love, I think of Oasis. They gave me a foundation, and a hope to be where I am today.” She now runs her own business. Oasis’ work really is life changing. It’s a real privilege to be part of a charity that walks alongside people in their toughest moments, helping them rediscover hope and rebuild their future.
What are you currently working on?
We’re about to launch our Giving a Home Christmas appeal. Our services are reporting rising numbers of people coming through our doors, so we really need as many people as possible to get involved, to make a tangible difference for someone facing homelessness this winter.
What does the future hold?
Sadly, homelessness is on the rise. And so is the level of need. We know 96% of people have suffered trauma such as child neglect, abuse, addiction or bereavement on their journey into homelessness.
Yet we remain hopeful – with a new CEO soon to be announced, who will lead the charity through our next chapter. As a team, we are also exploring fresh ideas for events, partnerships and fundraising initiatives to help evolve and expand our work, driven by the belief that everyone deserves a home and hope for a future.
How can people get involved?
There are many so ways to get involved! Our Giving a Home appeal offers fantastic partnership opportunities for businesses – and we’re excited to be involved with Big Give Week again, meaning every single donation will be doubled between 2 and 9 December.
Or you could ‘purchase a plot’ to build on Gingerbread Street, sign up to amplify our appeal by becoming a Giving a Home Hero or host a Christmas Jumper Day at work. We’d love to hear from you!
For more information, visit our website:
www.oasiscommunityhousing.org/workplace or contact Sophie directly at Sophie.Barker@oasiscommunityhousing.org