Oasis Hub Bath: Hub News Summer 2023

TEAMWORK ISN'T 50/50!

I recently heard researcher and speaker Brené Brown talk about how relationships are never 50/50, but involve working out what each person has to bring to the table in any given moment in terms of capacity, energy, kindness and patience One person might only be able to give 20%, and the other 60%, so both must then work together and create a plan to find the extra 20% that's needed. I think this concept is really helpful when thinking about teamwork

I recently had to have a significant period of time off work due to ill health, and it was incredible to see my team step in and cover me 100% - working together to see who could offer what, and what resources needed to be drawn from both internally and externally to get the job done and keep everything running. They did an amazing job and I'm incredibly grateful to them!

I'm thankful to be well and back at work now, but one of the things I've learned is that it's ok to lean on those around me when I'm not at 100%, drawing on the resources of my team and our partners as an organisation, and to encourage them to do the same with us In fact doing so often provides new opportunities, strengthens relationships and empowers others in really exciting ways

O A S I S K I T C H E N P I L O T

Oasis Kitchen was a pilot run by Food for Thought/Bath Mind in collaboration with Oasis over 8 weeks throughout January and February 2023 The aim was to provide a space for regular users of Oasis Pantry to come together, socialise, learn new skills in the kitchen, explore cooking with different ingredients as well as discussing tips for eating well-balanced healthy meals using the food that is available to them We focused on recipes where ingredients can be substituted as well as those that freeze well for batch cooking and reduce food waste - keeping in mind how the cost of living crisis is affecting everyone

We came up with creative ways of cooking meals using tinned food and frozen food as well as cooking a three course meal without the use of the oven We even managed to create some delicious dishes using only a microwave! Throughout the weeks, the group’s knowledge and willingness to try new things grew and we were absolutely blown away – as were they – by what they produced Members were able to contribute their ideas for what they wanted to learn to cook and becam more and more adventurous – they made tasty filled savoury pancake on pancake day, tortilla wraps from scratch for fajitas and even made their own naan breads to accompany a curry The penultimate session was an opportunity for members to cook for an upcoming Oasis Living Room session – and they did a smashing job – producing an absolute feast of Turkish food!

We absolutely loved running these sessions and felt we were able to achieve a great deal in the time we spent with the group – both in the fantastic food that was produced as well as a multitude of practical an useful tips and skills that attendees took away with them.

The course is informative, social and you have a great lunch!

It’s fun and the food is amazing!

Friendly atmosphere, very welcoming and allowed people to learn at their own pace

Each Monday evening from December to March we opened ‘Oasis Living Room’, in response to the very high rises in fuel bills in Autumn 2022 Living Room was designed as a space to connect with others, share a meal together, and to offer a space that was warm and welcoming Time spent at the Living Room was self-directed, but volunteers were on hand for set up and set down, and for chatting. We had activities on offer including books, magazines, games and craft activities should people want them, alongside practicalities such as WiFi access and charging points. We ate a meal together each week, kindly gifted by the local branch of COOK, and our staffing and other equipment costs were funded by Quartet Community Foundation.

Across the four months Living Room was open, 37 different people came along with a core group of around a dozen or so who came to more than 75% of the sessions. The group formed close bonds and friendships, and developed a real sense of community and belonging. For many people, this combatted loneliness and isolation, alongside allowing them to save money on both food and fuel Some people brought friends, expanding the reach of Oasis into the wider community.

We’ve been able to offer more volunteering opportunities, at different times and days to our existing projects, which has been brilliant! We had 23 volunteers in total, and 15 of those were able to volunteer specifically because of the timings. We’ve had some absolutely brilliant feedback from the people who came to Living Room, and we’re using that to think about what we can do in the future, and what might be needed next winter.

Oasis Living Room is an amazing place. It has provided a welcome space in which to enjoy food, companionship and the support of other people in difficult times. I've really enjoyed the time I've spent here, and all the new people I've met. It's helped to change my life for the better. I hope too that I've been able to provide help, support and companionship for others in return.

T H E B I G P A N T R Y Q U I Z !

In March we gathered friends, supporters and partners at the amazing Apex Hotel for our Big Pantry Quiz! The aim of the quiz was to raise funds to continue to support both our food pantries that run in the city centre and at the Roundhill Hub in Southdown. It was also a great opportunity to raise awareness of the important work the pantries do, and the sheer scale of people we're now helping through them as demand has increased significantly since the cost of living crisis began

We're really pleased to have raised an impressive £1422.96, through both ticket sales and from our raffle in which we had some incredible prizes donated by local businesses. We'd like to say a huge thank you to Apex Hotel for letting us use their incredible event space, and to all those who donated prizes: The Pig Hotel, Bath Holistic Massage, Bright Blue Yoga, Bath Building Society, the Theatre Royal, The Egg Theatre, Kula Yoga and Wellbeing Space, Cook, Komedia and Bombay Balti You're all amazing! A huge thank you too to our quiz host John Lawton, and our Hub Steering Group for organising the event

WE RAISED: £1422.96!

S P O T L I

In this regular Hub News feature we interview someone involved in or connected to the work of Oasis Hub Bath

Joe Lee Oasis Pantry Volunteer

Why did you decide to volunteer at Oasis?

I have been working for a charity called Just Love during my time at university, and this year we wanted to work alongside already established charities in Bath. With the Cost of Living Crisis becoming such an important issue, we wanted to look for opportunities that allowed us to help ensure our local community was able to feed themselves and their families, and this is why we wanted to help out at Oasis.

How has volunteering impacted you?

Volunteering at Oasis has been such an eye-opening and amazing chance to help the local community and has made me think about my own life choices From a young age, I always wanted to go into marketing, but this year with The Pantry being so influential, I now feel a calling to direct my career in a more sustainable and beneficial manner that would allow me to help improve the daily lives of those around me

What difference does the pantry make to people’s lives, and how have you seen this while volunteering?

The work The Pantry does, in my opinion, can’t be understated Not only are we able to provide the muchneeded food to those in Bath, but the quality and choice available to our members, in combination with the respect and dignity practices that are in place, I believe, is much appreciated by all those that come through our doors This can be noticed either by the smiles on the faces of our members, the chats we engage in and the fact that there is such high demand for the service, that unfortunately we can’t accept everyone that wants to become a member.

Would you recommend volunteering to others, and if so why?

I would highly recommend volunteering at The Pantry for anyone who is looking for an opportunity that allows you to become a closer part of the community here in Bath, whilst engaging in truly influential work.

To find out more about volunteering at Oasis Pantry email pantry@oasisbath.org

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...

There are a variety of opportunities at Oasis Hub Bath to use your skills to benefit others and get to know new people. 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. Just email welcome@oasisbath org

There are lots of ways to give financially to the work of Oasis Hub Bath You can give regularly through your online bank or by completing a standing order form, which enables us to claim Gift Aid on your donation For all the information you need about different ways to give, visit www.oasisbath.org/donate. Thanks so much