The Oasis Centre
The Oasis Centre, based in shop front premises in St Columb Major, Cornwall UK, is a registered charity and a voluntary community organisation working in partnership with other statutory and voluntary organisations in the area. The Oasis Centre is managed by a group of local people, governed by a Constitution. The Centre was established in 2008 and the Constitution states that its purpose is to relieve persons resident in the parishes of St. Columb, St. Ervan, St. Eval, St. Mawgan (known as the Lann Pydar Benefice) and surrounding areas who are in a condition of need, hardship, distress, ill-health, disability or other disadvantage
Who is it for?
It is for any who are vulnerable or housebound, including those who are isolated, infirm, disabled or elderly. We also provide a service to people with moderate to mild mental health issues; people and families supporting someone with dementia; young parents and toddlers; people who are unemployed and those who are bereaved to whom we offer a bereavement support service.
Who runs it?
Responsibility for the management of The Oasis Centre is in the hands of the Board of Trustees, a group of local people, governed by a Constitution. The Trustees manage the finances, raise funds and oversee the direction of the work as well as appointing and training volunteers who are vital to the outreach support in the community.
Who funds it?
Local churches, pubs, shops, charities, the local Town Council and Cornwall Council have all contributed to making it a community project truly reflecting the needs of the area. From 2014 we are also being supported by the Cornwall Community Foundation and Awards for All.
What does it do?
We run groups. The busiest being The Wellbeing Cafe: a weekly drop in centre for anyone, providing the opportunity to chat, have a hot drink, take part in arts and crafts, play table games, read the papers etc. We also have an NHS outreach worker, who fortnightly, offers to address issues of weight management, budgeting, shopping and exercise for those who wish to participate. The Wellbeing Cafe organises monthly minicoach outings to favourite local places, and a monthly Cafe Church. Developments to the Wellbeing Cafe have included welfare benefits advice and debt counselling. Alcoholics Anonymous also use our premises occasionally.
This centre is also the Benefice Office, housing the administrator for the four parishes, and it is the centre of all our Pastoral Care and Care in the Community administration and training.
The Oasis Centre also runs Keep Your Sparkle Going on a Thursday afternoon. We have also established links with our local residential home and are working to develop them. Our plan is to start a Men's Group and a group for young mums and, in time, develop work with youth, inter-generational work with local schools and computer training for elderly people alongside the local schools. Before we can move into these areas we need to recruit more volunteers and to create a Community Needs Survey.