Basis Beds is a project Oasis Community Housing began in 2013 to meet the housing needs of those in crisis.

Working alongside local authorities, Oasis Community Housing secured 40 flats across Gateshead, Sunderland and South Tyneside and set about making them into homes.

Oasis Community Housing takes a Housing First philosophy to homelessness provision. Phil Conn, Director of Crisis Services, explains:

“We believe in a Housing First approach because everyone should have access to a home and, for those who might struggle in their own home, the solution isn’t to prevent them having one; it is to provide them with the support to move towards independence.

“Insisting that people be tenancy ready before being offered a tenancy only keeps people excluded, Housing First is inclusive by its very nature.”

Many of the people the Basis Beds project houses are out of options, having been turned down by other agencies or find themselves sleeping rough. Basis Beds is the hope they need.

Luke, who oversees the project, says, “For me, home is somewhere safe, somewhere to escape the pressures of life, somewhere you can build from and find the space to map out the next steps. It’s important that our homes are comfortable and serve as a place for people to steady themselves and act as a spring board to recovery.”

The Basis Beds team provide a holistic approach to housing crisis, linking with other parts of Oasis Community Housing such as our domestic abuse team, Empower, and our employability project, Aspire. They also work closely with partner agencies, local authorities and primary healthcare to ensure steps can be put in place to meet physical, emotional and financial needs.

“Recovery is a big part of what we do,” Luke continues. “Many of the people we support have experienced trauma at some stage and it’s important we are ready when they are to support them in the ways they need most.”

Nurturing creativity can often play a big role in recovery and self-discovery. The team regularly partner with Handcrafted in Durham to support Basis Beds residents to learn woodwork and carpentry and also apply for funding to enable participants to access art materials.

Luke shared some of the recent creations and what they mean for the residents: “One of our residents recently made a table at Handcrafted while he has been living with us. He’s also really into art and model-making. Another is the process of making a bird box for the gardening project. She is really into arts and crafts and has benefited from Bluestone Collaborative funding throughout her stay in Basis Beds.”

Find out more about supporting the work of Basis Beds – and our other projects – by making a donation or joining our Cornerstone Givers.

58 year old Sheffield local, Andy Cribb, cycled over 5,000 kilometers. Taking on the 100 Climbs cycle challenge in July covering some of the world’s steepest hills to raise vital funds for people facing homelessness – just four years after being told he would never cycle again.

Explaining what inspired him to do the challenge, Andy said:

“I had a serious accident four years ago, after being knocked off my bike at high speed. I was told I would never be able to cycle again, but thanks to medical support I have built my fitness back up. I love a challenge and this one is the toughest I’ve done. It’s not just the distance it’s the cumulative effect of the draining hills climbs each day.

“I also wanted to do something positive after the murder of Sarah Everard. Oasis Community Housing has a long track record of supporting the most vulnerable women in our communities and so raising funds for them seems to be a fitting tribute to Sarah and her family.”

Andy, who has been out training come rain or shine, continued: “I hope the sponsorship I’ve raising will make a small improvement to the lives of those for whom Oasis Community Housing care for.”

The 100 Climbs Challenge was made famous by cycling enthusiastic Simon Warren’s 2010 book, where he charted the 100 greatest cycling climbs in Britain. Since then cyclists around the world have taken on the gruelling challenge.

Andy is determined to complete it within just 31 days. That’s 5,300km across the British Isles covering its steepest gradients including the Guinness World Records’ world’s steepest hill climb – Ffordd Penllech in Wales pitched at a 40% gradient.

Andy managed to raise over £15,000 and completed the cycle challenge despite a few set backs on the way.

Andy suffered terrible weather despite setting off in the middle of summer with cold winds and a few days of heavy rain, and even thunder and lightening- but in the full spectrum of a British summer also had to cope with a 7 day heatwave. His riding times often started at 5am and finished at 8pm. He also battled bunions and mechanical troubles to make it to the finish line in the Lakes with a huge smile.

The funds will go towards Oasis Community Housing’s work supporting almost 2,000 across the North East and south London, which includes drop-ins, supported accommodation for care leavers and other young people and support groups for women who have experienced domestic abuse.

The charity’s Chief Executive David Smith will be joined Andy for part of the cycle challenge, he said: “The 80 miles I cycled with Andy was one of the most physically challenging feats I’ve ever been involved in.

“That it doesn’t even match up to what Andy cycled that day, let alone that month, tells you everything you need to know about what a legend he is and how much we appreciate him.”

To find out more about our challenge events contact fundraising@oasiscommunityhousing or head to our events page.

Our Head of Programmes Response, Claire Temple signed up to complete the Great North Run. A complete running novice she shares how she’s found her journey so far.

“A runner you are not”

“…echoed the words in my head from Mrs Cooper. My PE teacher when I was 13 years old. I was transported back to this very moment in time, I could see my 13 year old self huffing and puffing doing cross country running, hating every single minute of it, when the very words “I would like to sign up for the Great North Run” came out of my mouth!

That was it- the words were out! I told my colleagues, only one laughed (Sally) there was no going back now. I had committed myself to this half marathon and I was doing it for charity! The organisation I work for So there was no backing out. This was happening and I hadn’t even managed to get past week one on couch25k (a running app) , it took me 9 weeks of repeating week one before I could move on to week 2. It was now June and time was looming down on me.”

Training

“I downloaded a half marathon training app on my phone and started my 12 weeks training for this half marathon I had heard so much about but hadn’t ever had the inclination to do.

“I have ranted, complained profusely, laughed, cried tears of joy and anger, been sick in the bushes and almost collapsed with exhaustion doing this training. What has spurred me on is the amazing support I have received from friends, family colleagues, I keep a video diary on my Facebook and I honestly can’t believe how many of my FB friends have sent me personal messages telling me that “I” have inspired them to get their trainers on and just move.”

Finding focus

“When I’m out running on a rainy morning instead of moaning about it now I thank god for the blessings I have in my life and I remember why I’m doing this!

“No one chooses to be homeless! None of the people we serve have chosen this way of life,
I am so grateful that I am in the fortunate position to have the opportunity to take part in this amazing event and raise money and awareness for the people we serve.

It’s time to change the narrative

“A runner I am”

 

If you would like to sign up to the Great North Run or find out more about our fundraising opportunities head to our events page

Oasis Community Housing has opened its first same-day emergency accommodation. A six-bed property that has round-the-clock support staff and which has been developed as a psychologically informed environment (PIE); an approach to supporting people out of homelessness, particularly those who have experienced complex trauma.

Each resident will have a robust support plan with support services coordinated around them.

Director of Programmes, Phil Conn, says he has been waiting 10 years – since he started working with the charity – for a project like this to open in the area. Here, he explains why the new emergency accommodation project means so much.

Give shelter to the homeless

So why 58:7? It helps answer the question if I share the scripture from Isaiah chapter 58 where we find the following in verse 7.

Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

Reading that you can probably see why we’ve named the project 58:7 – a clearer description of what we’re seeking to do in the service you’ll struggle to find.

However, as is often the case, context is really important and the context of the whole chapter reveals that it’s so much deeper that just putting a roof over someone’s head, clothes on their back and food in their bellies. The context of this scripture reveals it is about so much more than surface hospitality.

The prophet Isaiah, who wrote this chapter, is pointing out the hypocrisy of the Israelites who complain that God doesn’t answer their prayers despite their observance of rituals and routine prayer. His basic message is; what good are all of your rituals and routines if people are hungry and homeless.

Isaiah is pointing out that action speaks louder than words and faith without action is meaningless.

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

This is your typical putting your money where your mouth is. Oasis Community Housing are good at shouting about injustice, we’re even better at doing something about it.

The 58:7 project offers us a great opportunity to extend our work and deliver a unique service to Gateshead. The 58:7 project is about walking our talk.

This July we are inspired by some of the incredible challenges people are setting themselves across the UK. Raising vitals fund to help us continue giving a home to people facing homelessness. Whether you walk, run, cycle or climb a mountain it’s all helping us bring hope not homelessness.

A Mile In Their Shoes

When Lynn + Lucy actress Jennifer Lee Moon connected with Oasis Community Housing it was a match made in heaven. Jenn is an actress, model, dancer and business owner who aims to use social media for social good and put her Christian faith into action by supporting others.

“Talk about divine coincidences, myself and the team were talking about how much we would love to partner with a Christian organisation that is already helping house those who are struggling,” said Jenn.

The Mile In Their Shoes challenge, which Oasis Community Housing launched over Lent, seemed the perfect way for Jenn and her team to get involved; with a tweak to the original Lent challenge, Jenn went above and beyond to recruit as many people to the challenge as possible.

Jenn and her team have committed to walking at least a mile every day in solidarity with those walking daily on the streets to find safety, food and support.

Keep up with Jenn, The Women Who Win and The Q Tip on Instagram throughout July.

Pounding the pavements

Crystal Hicks, mother of twin girls and proud dog owner, is taking on a challenge of epic proportions. At the start of the year she set herself the task of running the distance of Lands’ End to John O’Groats. An astounding 874 miles over the course of the year.

“I’m really loving running for a purpose. It’s certainly keeping me motivated knowing that I have to get out and stick to the routine as once you fall behind it’s impossible to catch back up. It’s so easy to commit to running 874 miles in a year.

“All you need to do is say in January ‘I’m going to run 874 miles this year’ ta dah!

“But flip it’s hard to do it. I’m at the half way mark now. My knees have stopped complaining but the bunion is aching. The dog is loving it though.

“I’m finding it such a reflective time to lift up day to God and put the concerns of my heart to him. I often pray for the people Oasis serves whilst running, especially on the mornings when I’m out in the cold and rain, or the baking sun, knowing that shelter, water and comfort are things I do often take for granted and that those I’m running for don’t have those things without Oasis.

“So I’ll keep persevering with the miles knowing you guys will keep persevering to bring hope for those who have lost all hope.

Crystal hasn’t been doing it alone but has had her faithful hound Steve Baily Hicks for company. Steven is loving the extra exercise but can be prone to meandering so if you hear a call of ‘Oi Steve get here!’ as you’re passing through Low Fell, Gateshead, make sure to give Crystal a wave.

Climbing mountains

58 year old Sheffield local, Andy Cribb, is cycling over 5,000 kilometers of some of the world’s steepest hills this July, just four years after being told he would never cycle again.

“I had a serious accident four years ago, after being knocked off my bike at high speed. I was told I would never be able to cycle again, but thanks to medical support I have built my fitness back up. I love a challenge and this one is the toughest I’ve done. It’s not just the distance it’s the cumulative effect of the draining hill climbs each day.

“I also wanted to do something positive after the murder of Sarah Everard. Oasis Community Housing has a long track record of supporting the most vulnerable women in our communities. Raising funds for them seems to be a fitting tribute to Sarah and her family.”

Andy, who has been out training come rain or shine, continued: “I hope the sponsorship I’m raising will make a small improvement to the lives of those for whom Oasis Community Housing care for.”

Andy is determined to complete the 100 Climbs challenge in just 30 days. That’s 5,300km across the British Isles covering its steepest gradients including the Guinness World Records’ world’s steepest hill climb – Ffordd Penllech in Wales pitched at a 40% gradient.

Find out more about running, walking or cycling for Oasis Community Housing and supporting people facing homelessness this year by visiting out Events pages.

“The pandemic flagged the need for emergency homelessness accommodation now more than ever. It made us realise there needs to be something fit-for-purpose to fill this gap,” explains Alex Laing of charity Oasis Community Housing, which is opening of a unique homelessness ‘shelter’ in Gateshead.

Everyone In

More than 37,000 people who had been rough sleeping or at risk of homelessness were moved into hotels and B&Bs last summer due COVID-19. With hotels often miles from town centres and rooms only equipped with a kettle, people struggled to access affordable food and day-to-day support.

Latest figures show that almost a third (11,263) are still in hotels, waiting for more suitable accommodation to become available.

Alex Laing led Oasis Community Housing’s part in Everyone In, as one of many homelessness charities across the country that delivered the Government initiative. She said: “Giving people a roof overhead doesn’t fix homelessness.

“Sometimes people won’t know how to cook or wash their clothes let alone set up bills. We’d rather take four hours showing them how to do this than offer a sticking plaster and do it for them.

“Our staff will offer round-the-clock support right the way through to people moving into their own home.

“We may be the most secure relationship a lot of people have in their lives, so we want to ensure we’re delivering the support people really need to live confidently and independently in their own home, when the time comes.”

A PERSON-CENTRED PLACE TO STAY

The charity’s six-bed accommodation will have two 24/7 staff has been developed as a psychologically informed environment (PIE), an approach to supporting people out of homelessness, particularly those who have experienced complex trauma. Each resident will have a robust support plan with support services coordinated around them.

The new homelessness shelter can be accessed through Gateshead Council’s housing service or via Oasis Community Housing’s Basis drop-in centres at Warwick Street, Gateshead, and Park Road Church in Sunderland.

For more information, get in touch with Oasis Community Housing.

A Summer of Oasis Garden Parties

People across the UK are signing up to host an Oasis Garden Party to raise money to help people facing homelessness. The simple fundraiser is a perfect opportunity to safely see friends and family while also raising money for a good cause.

Cynthia Kesington, former resident at The Foyer, Oasis Community Housing’s residential support project, which ran for 21 years in Croydon, is hosting a Garden Party in Crystal Palace next month. She was inspired by a desire to give back and help others facing homelessness.

Cynthia said: “Fortunately for me, there are organisations out there like Oasis Community Housing that quite literally helped me get my life back on track. They provided me with a place to call home, the first and most important step towards helping me rediscover who I was and figure out who I wanted to be.

“I can’t stress the importance of their work enough. They’re all about prevention and intervention. Tackling the issue of homelessness head on to provide hope of a future that seems so hard to imagine when you don’t even have a roof over your head.”

Other Garden Parties are already being planned across the North East of England, using the charity’s downloadable ‘party packs’ of garden games, quizzes and recipes – including one from our Patron, former Celebrity Masterchef contestant Rev Kate Bottley.

support FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE

The overall event is being supported by Wesleyan Assurance Society has been helping people secure their financial futures for 180 years and, like Cynthia, want to give something back to help people facing homelessness.

Established during the Industrial Revolution, the Society’s original purpose was to help Birmingham’s factory workers save so that they had money for sickness and funeral expenses. Over the years they’ve stood strong in an ever changing and often challenging world.

Today they specialise in creating brighter financial futures for the professions we all trust. This includes hospital doctors, GPs, dentists and teachers. The Society aspires to build lifelong relationships with their customers by providing a range of personal and commercial financial services from across the Wesleyan Group.

“We are delighted to be able to support this event. Wesleyan is passionate about supporting local communities and helping to address homelessness. It’s so vital the services provided by Oasis Community Housing are well supported, especially as we start to recover from the pandemic. We would like to encourage everyone to get involved and do what they can to help to make a real impact.”

Hazel Ditchburn, Oasis Community Housing’s Corporate Relationships Manager, has been working behind the scenes to connect business with worthy causes:
“We’re so pleased companies like Wesleyan are active in helping people facing homelessness. Supporting events like the Oasis Garden Party is a powerful way to make a real difference to the people in our communities.

“The last 18 months have exacerbated problems like job loss, digital exclusion and domestic abuse. Our bi-monthly Midday Oasis networking events provide an opportunity for businesses to come together to tackle some of these issues and support our mission to bring hope to people facing homelessness.”

Get involved

To find out more about how you can host an Oasis Garden Party this summer and support the charity’s local homelessness projects, please visit our events page.

Former residents, staff – past and present – partners and supporters have joined together to mark the closure of Oasis Community Housing’s homelessness project in Croydon, The Foyer.

For 21 years The Foyer has provided accommodation, training and opportunities for young people aged 16 – 25 who have become homeless. The project held unique Foyer Federation accreditation throughout its tenure.

“It is with great sadness that we are having to close The Foyer, which has been a home and a place of opportunity for more than 500 young people over the past 21 years.

“While the charity grows its work in other areas, in Croydon our existing contract to provide youth services has come to an end alongside The Foyer building being sold,” explains Director of Housing, Jen Gauden-Hand, who started working there as a support worker just a couple of years after it opened.

Jen spoke at the Zoom event, streamed live from The Foyer, alongside Oasis Community Housing’s CEO David Smith and Rev. Steve Chalke MBE, founder of Oasis UK, who worked with local churches to establish The Foyer in the late 1990s.

Addressing the 50 attendees, Steve said, “I was born in Croydon and have spent most of my life there. I was asked to go and speak to the Council and, just as my session was about to end, I said ‘One more thing; if Oasis and the local churches can raise the funds, to support young people facing homelessness in the area, will you give us a building?’ And they said yes!

“Admittedly, raising funds was harder than I realised but we worked closely with the young people of Croydon churches – we did a half marathon, we did a huge concert and so many things – and, when it came to the Millennium, the Foyer was ready to open.

“This event is a great chance to celebrate the young people whose lives have been turned around.

“The work of Oasis Community Housing, and the work that has been done in The Foyer over these 21 years, needs to go on in new ways – and from strength to strength. This is not the end.”

Two former residents of The Foyer also shared their memories of the place. Cynthia Kensington, now a self-made business woman and mother of two, recounted her incredible story and the part The Foyer played in that: “Initially I got put into a hostel, but people there were in a worse situation than I was, they were using drugs and other stuff. It was awful.

“Eventually I went back to the council and told them I couldn’t stay there any longer. They moved me to The Foyer in Croydon, run by Oasis. Everything felt so different. It was like someone heard my cry.

“At The Foyer they wouldn’t let me give up on myself. For some reason, they loved me. Every time we drive past it, I tell the boys ‘Mummy used to live there’.

“All of the skills that I got from The Foyer have got me to where I am today; it gave me a foundation and a hope to be where I am today.”

The event was closed with a blessing for the future from one of the charity’s Trustees, former Bishop of Jarrow Rev. Mark Bryant.

Oasis Community Housing continues to look for opportunities to collaborate with Croydon Council, as an approved supplier, and remains committed to supporting young people facing homelessness in the area – as across the rest of the UK.

Read more about our work in south London >>>

Homelessness charity Oasis Community Housing has received a £5,000 grant to create an urban garden outside of their Gateshead ‘Basis’ drop-in centre.

“We have been really fortunate to receive a grant from the B&Q Foundation to help us transform this overgrown eye-sore into a wonderful urban garden. Once finished it will be a quiet, green and therapeutic space that everyone can enjoy,” said Lynne Livsey, the charity’s Head of Prevention services.

As soon as Lynne joined the charity, in 2020, she made a bee-line for the waste land outside of the homelessness drop-in.

“It’s a sadly neglected space at the back of our building that has become a dumping ground for discarded masks, cans, bottles and rubbish.

“It’s such a shame because the inside of our lovely Basis Hub is a bright and welcoming space. After lots of lunchtime litter-picking, we decided that enough was enough and it was time for a drastic make-over!”

National DIY chain B&Q supplied a generous £5,000 grant to help the charity garden take shape.

It’s not just B&Q who have backed the urban garden project, the team have found warm community support from Gateshead Council, Big Local Gateshead, Handcrafted and Orangutan Arb.

“It’s humbling and heart-warming! Gateshead Council are helping us to clear the space and Suzanne Amey from Big Local Gateshead has donated plants to get us started. Our friends at Handcrafted have made and donated some amazing planters from recycled pallets and Orangutan Orb have donated wood chippings and tree stumps to be upcycled into stools.”

Basis Gateshead is the site of one of Oasis Community Housing’s drop-ins and the main base for the Aspire project, who support people into employment and training. The team invited people who are supported through this project to get involved at every stage of creating and developing the garden.

“Our Aspire programme participants are involved in every aspect of the project, from putting together the mood-board for the garden, choosing plants, building and planting up raised beds and digging borders, painting furniture and bird boxes, and looking after the plants.”

The team are thinking of the long term and ensuring the garden is environmentally sound, building sustainability and recycling elements into the garden from the outset.

The team have big plans for a horticultural project in the future but for now the garden will be a welcome place to relax and take a breath for staff and those visiting the drop-in and Aspire project.

Lynne added: “It will be a symbol of hope and renewal, a mini oasis in an urban jungle. It’s an important marker of recovery in so many ways as we walk with the people that we support out of the seemingly endless lockdowns and into the sunshine at last. It will make my heart sing every time I walk into the office and I’m beyond proud and excited by the enthusiasm and commitment of everyone involved.”

Read more news from our Basis project or find out how you can support Oasis Community Housing and our homelessness projects.