HUB NEWS VOLUME 4 • AUTUMN 2020
IN THIS ISSUE
A MARATHON NOT A SPRINT JO DOLBY, HUB LEADER
A marathon not a sprint • P. 1
IN THIS ISSUE
New Satellite Launched
- 3Food Parcel Project • P. 2-3
There's no getting around it, these are really difficult times. We'd all hoped the pandemic would disappear after a few weeks, we'd hoped we wouldn't see a second wave, we'd hoped not to be back in local or national lockdown again. It's hard to keep going when things are difficult for a long period of time, and it's clear that Covid is going to be much more of a marathon than a sprint. At Oasis, one of our ethos values is 'a sense of perseverance to keep going for the long haul', and that's really being put to the test right now! It's important that our projects continue to support people for as long as they need it, and that's why our food pantry is committed to helping people not just now, but in the weeks and months ahead. As a team, some of what keeps us going is hearing about the impact our projects are having. I hope you enjoy reading about that impact in this edition of Hub News.
Oasis Pantry • P. 4
Focus Counselling • P. 5
Spotlight • P. 6
Join us • P. 7
THAT'S A WRAP! After just over four months of operation, our Covid response food parcel project closed its doors at the end of August. It's incredible what we've been able to achieve, all because of the amazing partners, funders and volunteers we've worked with. This page and the next will look at the impact the project has made, and enable you to hear from some of the recipients of the parcels. Before the project closed, every single family we've helped has been given details of other support they can access, and some are now members of our food pantry which you can read about on page 5.
WE HAVE HELPED... 47 families have received food parcels from us including 68 adults and 117 children. We've also had 36 volunteers involved in the project as food parcel packers and delivery drivers.
184 PEOPLE
WE HAVE PROVIDED... Each food parcel contained enough food to feed each family for several days. In total we have distributed approximately 2103 individual bags of food!
23,850 MEALS
WE HAVE SAVED... By using surplus food redistribution charity FareShare to supply our food, we have saved 6.551 tonnes of food from ending up in landfill!
6.5 TONNES OF FOOD
Oasis Hub Bath would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our funders...
FOOD PARCEL PROJECT During the pandemic a local filmmaker, Jack Fisher, volunteered his time to film the project. This has now been turned into a five minute documentary, telling the story of the project and interviewing some of the people involved. To watch the film just scan the QR code using the camera on your phone, or visit the web address below. A huge thank you to Jack for giving us so much of his time, it's great to have such an effective way of telling the story of what we did and how we did it!
vimeo.com/oasisbath/foodparcelproject
I've been able to eat as well as the kids. Before I would go without so they could eat.
I did worry each week about where food was coming from. Because of the food parcels I knew we would be ok and that removed a huge amount of stress and anxiety.
PANTRY UPDATE CLAIRE HENWOOD, PANTRY CO-ORDINATOR
The Oasis Pantry opened on September 10th, and is now open every Thursday afternoon from 2 - 4pm at Oasis Church Bath. It's going really well so far, and we've been pleased to welcome new members each week. We are one of a growing number of community pantries in Bath, supplying low cost, high quality surplus food each week to our members. We welcome those who have a household income of less than ÂŁ18,000 a year, and we particularly would like to encourage those who are lone parents or families, long term unemployed, refugees/asylum seekers and immigrants, and anyone working with a support service, eg. social workers. You can find out lots more about how it all works and how to sign up or volunteer by visiting www.oasisbath.org/projects. If you'd like to get in touch with us email pantry@oasisbath.org
"It makes such a difference to my family, we are eating so well and our meals are healthier. I don't have to worry." PANTRY MEMBER
A NEW PARTNERSHIP... We recently announced an exciting new partnership with Focus Counselling, who will be moving their offices and counselling practice into our city centre building in November 2020. Focus have been providing affordable, professional counselling to the city for over 20 years. Their values as an organisation align perfectly with who we are as Oasis, and we're so excited to be providing them with a home both now, and in the future. You can read an interview with Jan Robertson, Founder and CEO of Focus, on the next page. Focus are now a key part of our building refurbishment project, and we're working with them to create plans for a completely bespoke floor just for them which will give them a large office space, four counselling rooms and a waiting area for clients.
SPOTLIGHT In this regular Hub News feature we interview someone involved in or connected to the work of Oasis Hub Bath.
Jan Robertson Founder and CEO of Focus Counselling
Tell us a bit about Focus Counselling and what you do..
Why are you moving from St Michaels Without to Oasis?
Focus was founded 21 years ago by myself and Martin Lloyd Williams who used to be the vicar at St Michaels Without, which has been our home since we started.
We are eternally grateful to St Michaels for 21 years of partnership but we are moving into a new season now.
We provide affordable counselling to the community, work in ten schools across Bath and run an eating disorder support group. We are a person centred agency and welcome all people through our doors - children, young people and adults. Last September we opened another office in Frome and that is bringing exciting new opportunities for us.
How has Covid impacted what you do? Covid has brought challenges to us as a charity but I am proud to say we have risen to them all and adapted our services successfully. We are now able to offer counselling online and by phone, and we will return to face to face sessions when it is safe to do so.
We have always loved to work in partnership and the YMCA have journeyed with us for 21 years too. Oasis sits so well with everything we believe at Focus and we feel that the door opening for us to move up the road is God given.
What are you most excited about when you think about the future of Oasis in Bath? We are so excited about the new building refurbishment plans and feeling part of it. We also share a vision to serve our city and beyond with all those working in the Hub. We can't wait to move in on 2nd November!
To find out more about Focus Counselling, visit their website at www.focusbath.com
Join Us!
There are loads of ways to get involved in the work of Oasis Hub Bath. Reading this newsletter is a great way to stay in touch with all we're up to so if you want to make sure you receive this direct to your inbox, four times a year, let us know by emailing welcome@oasisbath.org. Here are some other ways you can be a part of what we're doing...
Volunteer...
From serving up food and facilitating craft sessions at our Make Lunch project, to being a listening ear for our kinship carers, there are loads of different volunteer roles at Oasis Hub Bath. Even a couple of hours every few weeks could make a real difference to someone in need, so if you've got some time to spare get in touch and we'll find the perfect role for you.
Give... You can now give by text! Just follow the instructions on the picture on the left. The best way to help us is to give each month by standing order. To download a standing order form visit the donate page on our website: oasisbath.org/get-involved/donate
Don't forget to follow us on social media too! @OasisHubBath
@Oasis_Bath
oasisbath
Oasis Hub Bath is a registered charity (no.1138904) and part of Oasis UK. To contact us email welcome@oasisbath.org, and to find out more about us please visit www.oasisbath.org