Oasis Community Housing: Hope. Not Homelessness

18/06/2026

"I walked through those doors with nothing but a birth certificate."

For Martin, our Sunderland drop-in was the turning point after more than 20 years of rough sleeping. But, due to funding pressures, its now at serious risk of closure.

Speaking to BBC Newcastle, Martin shared how, within a few months of accessing support at our Basis drop-in, he was able to get ID, open a bank account, and find a home — things he hadn't had for decades.

Our Sunderland drop-in - the only one of its kind in the city - has been a lifeline for thousands of people rough sleeping and in housing crisis since it opened 8 years ago.

Reflecting on the possibility of closure, Martin said: "It's really a community. The people really care, which is a big difference" 💛

Read the full BBC News story here https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yz3y2j7p2o

17/06/2026

⚽ Is football coming home? We'll find out a little more tonight ...

But whatever happens when England take to the pitch, there's still another trophy waiting to be won this September... the Oasis Cup!

We're looking for businesses, friends, colleagues and football fans to join us for our annual 5-a-side Charity Football Tournament, raising vital funds to support local people facing homelessness.

🏆 Could your team take the Oasis Cup from reigning champions Amazon.co.uk's MME2 warehouse team?
⚽ Enjoy a fantastic day of football, friendly competition and networking
📅 Friday 18 September
📍 Gateshead International Stadium
❤️ Every goal, save and tackle will help make a difference in our community

Whether you're a Sunday League superstar, the office football organiser, or just fancy a great day out with your team, we'd love to see you there!

Think you've got what it takes? Tag your teammates below 👇

Find out more and enter your team here https://www.oasiscommunityhousing.org/theoasiscup/

A huge thank you to our sponsors, Bowmer + Kirkland and Northern Insight for supporting this year's tournament.

16/06/2026

When Ben walked through the doors of our Sunderland drop-in, he was facing the threat of eviction and struggling to cope.

In just a few months, he'd lost his mam to Alzheimer's and his sister to breast cancer. At the same time, issues with his benefits had left him facing financial difficulties and mounting housing concerns.

Our team gave Ben a drink, food and a warm welcome; we helped him navigate his benefits applications and housing paperwork; and we worked alongside other services to make sure he wasn't facing these challenges alone.

Above all, we ensured Ben had a safe place to turn at one of the hardest times of his life.

Sometimes, the biggest difference starts with a cuppa and someone to listen. Offering hope when it's needed most 💛



*Ben is a pseudonym, for his privacy

11/06/2026

Shout out to superstar supporters Lily and George!

Have you ever thought about doing something to support your local community, but weren't sure where to start?

Lily and George decided to take on a self-organised marathon to raise money for our work with local people facing homelessness. Then, to raise even more, they brought family and friends together for a BBQ last weekend, where her parents held a raffle 🙌🍔☀️

The best part? Lily was inspired to support Oasis Community Housing after hearing about our work through her employer, long-term supporters Meldrum.

You don't need to run a marathon to make a difference. It could be a bake sale, a quiz night, a challenge you've always had your sights on, or simply an excuse to get people together for a good cause. Every fundraiser starts with one person deciding to do something!

We'd love to support you in creating your own fundraising challenge to help more people find a safe place to call home. Contact our team at @oasiscommunityhousing.org

A huge thank you to Lily, George, and everyone who has supported their fundraising journey so far 💛

10/06/2026

“I feel like - before I moved in - I had fallen off a cliff, but now I have landed on my feet.”

Harry told us this after moving into one of our supported accommodation projects, after a really difficult few months. That cliff edge is something we often hear from the people we support - that homelessness feels like any kind of solid ground has disappeared from underneath you.

That's why we see our role as providing a safe place to land, the gain the right support, and the opportunity to start rebuilding.

Since moving in, Harry has been settling into his new home, finding a routine, and slowly rebuilding his confidence with support from our team. We're so glad he feels like he's landed on his feet with us 💛

09/06/2026

07/06/2026

"It also keeps me feeling grounded."

When Phil first supported us through a sponsored walk, he didn't expect it would lead to regular volunteering at our Gateshead homelessness drop-in.

Now, he's one of the many incredible volunteers who help make our work possible 🙌

When asked what he enjoys most about volunteering, Phil said: "Getting to know staff and the people we support and feeling that I can make a small contribution to the ongoing work of Oasis Community Housing. It also keeps me feeling grounded."

That really sums up what volunteering is all about!

This Volunteers' Week, we're saying a huge thank you to Phil and every person who has volunteered alongside us over the years - whether at our frontline services, helping at fundraising events, sharing skills and expertise, or simply being there to lend a hand - we couldn't do it without you 💛

If you're involved in a church and would like to volunteer or help your local homelessness charity in other ways, you can find out more about being one of our *Church Champions* here 👉

04/06/2026

Community is built when people come together to make a difference 🌱

A huge thank you to the fantastic Amazon.com MmE2 warehouse team from Durham, who recently spent the day at our Houghton-le-Spring supported accommodation - clearing, planting and upcycling to refresh the garden for the men there, rebuilding their lives after homelessness.

We're so grateful for the time, energy and kindness they brought to the day. Thank you for helping make our community a brighter place 💛

02/06/2026

This beautiful artwork - created by the children at South Street Community Primary School - now proudly hangs in the entrance hall of one of our housing projects that helps teenagers facing homelessness.

We know how much community connections matter. So, before our Young Person's Project opened, we visited the school and many other local organisations to introduce ourselves and explain the support we offer young people who are leaving care and facing homelessness.

We were delighted when South Street Community Primary School agreed to create some artwork, inspired by our project's values. The children thoughtfully explored what words such as safe, belonging and respect meant to them - creating some truly special pieces.

What makes this even more special is that one of the young people we support used to attend the school, and has some really happy memories of his time there!

A huge thank you to everyone at South Street Community Primary School for helping our young people feel welcomed and connected to their community 💛

01/06/2026

Happy Volunteers' Week! 💛

This week, we're celebrating the incredible people who make our work possible.

Thank you to every single one of you who volunteer: our trustees, local schools, businesses, churches and community group that give your time, energy and compassion to support people on their journey out of homelessness.

Whether its decorating and improving our housing projects, fundraising, or serving hot drinks and providing a warm welcome in our drop-ins, you're making a life-changing difference every day.

To every single one of our volunteers: thank you. We simply couldn't do it without you 💛

If you're part of a church and would like to find out how you can support our work with local people facing homelessness, we'd love to hear from you! Click the link for more info 🙌 https://www.oasiscommunityhousing.org/volunteer-church-champion/