Oasis Centre helps the low income in Manchester

Providing basic needs and advice a few days per week, the Oasis Centre is a charity that can be turned to for advice and practical support. Everything from meals from a cafe to free groceries from a food bank are provided along with work schemes and education, such as English For Everyone classes.

The staff at the centre, many of which are volunteers, collect donations from the city of Manchester, and those items are used for helping the vulnerable. There are always items needed, whether clothing for the charity shop or surplus canned items from the food bank. Anyone seeking advice from the Oasis Centre will meet with friendly staff and even often be provided a meal from the cafe.

Advice from centre Support Team

This is where people can get information and applications from. The staff will address a number of problems, ranging from housing to food. The aim is to offer advice so people can help themselves over the long term.

Employment advice is available from the Getting Work-Ready Scheme. This will help people develop skills and experience for a job. The aim is to get them into some form of long term positions in which the client can increase their income. The advice will be provided to the client for up to one year, so it is a long term scheme.

Classes include English For Everyone, and this focuses on immigrants and newcomers, but anyone can sign up. This is for people in Manchester who want to improve their English skills as their first language. This is a 2 month session that is arranged by volunteers in the community.

Training and skills are addressed to. This is done from workshops help by Oasis Centre volunteers, such as on IT and computer skills or even crafts. There are also sessions on CV creation and many other topics as well.

Homeless or those facing eviction can receive advice on assistance for them. There are deposit schemes across Manchester for private housing, and some tenants benefit from DHP schemes. The aim of Oasis Centre is to refer the person to a housing solution for their needs.

Food and practical support from Oasis Centre

These programmes rely on donations from the community. If people do not give to the charity, then the services are not offered. If the team can’t help, then they will signpost the client to some similar service in east Manchester.

A charity shop is available for people of all incomes and backgrounds. They can buy high quality clothing, furniture, and other household goods at affordable prices. There is beds, appliances, and many other used items.

Emergency food is provided from the cafe, which can serve a hot meal at lunch or breakfast A food bank may also have parcels for the low income. In some cases, a voucher is also provided to local stores if the Oasis Centre does not have items on site.

People turn to the centre and come from all backgrounds. There is assistance for the homeless seeking rent deposit help as well as support for seniors in Manchester. Other clients are refugees or the homeless, and anyone can drop in for advice. The address is at Collier House, Wellington Street, Gorton, Manchester M18 8TX, or call 07732 352568.