Outreach charity has new home 
By Richard Gladstone: published 2 October 2007A charity which helps vulnerable people living on the fringes of society now has a permanent base.
The Oasis Christian Outreach Centre is also looking to expand its services and needs more volunteers to help its present army of 16.
Brian Martin, founder manager of the charity, said, “Back in 1992 we saw the crying need for a place of hope for those people whose lives have been torn apart by addiction, bereavement, unemployment, marriage breakdown, mental health issues, homelessness and abuse.
“Our aim is always to provide loving support, practical advice and help to all who need it in our community.
“We can advise them on legal and benefits issues, as well as supplying food, clothing and furniture in times of need.
“If it is found to be necessary we can help those suffering with acute conditions to deal with those specialist agencies that are best able to help.”
The charity is now based at the Brodie Hall by Christ Church in Seaside.
Oasis started life in 1992 in a cabin as a part of Elim Pentecostal Church in Upperton Lane off Hartfield Road.
It offers cooked breakfasts for the disadvantaged and free tea, coffee and a listening ear and is usually open Mondays to Fridays from 9am-4pm.
Before moving to its present location the charity was based in the basement of the Royal Hotel in Marine Parade.
Mr Martin said, “Over the past 15 years I have seen many people getting back a quality of life that they thought they had lost.
“Every year I have people phoning to say thank you for what we have done to help them get their lives back on track.
“People with life-long addictions are able to get back to work and get their self-respect back.
“It is the most amazing thing when I meet one of our past visitors and see them well and happy in their new lives. It makes all the work worthwhile.
“The other day I received three phone calls from people I helped ten years ago.
“One is now a managing director of a large company, one works as a secretary for one of the biggest firms in the UK, and the other has made a remarkable transformation in his life after coming off drugs.”
Oasis currently offers a variety of activities such as arts and crafts, IT skills and Bible study.
Mr Martin said, “We want to incorporate more activities and include the disabled and those who are lonely. We also hope to open more in the evenings as a youth centre and offer meals in the evening in the near future.
“We also want to get teams out on the streets engaging with those who need help. A lot of people tell us they have lost hope.”
Eastbourne is a caring and generous town
Herald Opinon: published 21 December 2007That fact has once again been confirmed by the splendid response from local people to the Christmas appeals supported by the Herald this year.
Townspeople will therefore be concerned, we believe, to read of the number of people sleeping rough on Eastbourne's streets every night.
This is, of course, not a problem unique to Eastbourne, and it is certainly not of the town's making. Homeless people are victims of their own sad circumstances, often despite the efforts of society.
But as we enter a festival celebrating a birth in a stable, we should surely ponder whether this prosperous town in one of the world's richest countries should allow people to sleep without a roof over their head.
Eastbourne Borough Council has rightly acknowledged the problem and is prepared to address possible solutions. Charities such as the Salvation Army and the Oasis Project clearly recognise the need to provide shelter at night for those in need.
The will is undoubtedly there. And if public support is needed, that will surely be forthcoming. What is needed is the drive to turn goodwill into action. It should be a priority project for the town in 2008.
Charity drop in centre hits out at “danger” claims
By Richard Gladstone: published 22 September 2007A charity has angrily rejected suggestions that its new support service for vulnerable people next door to a nursery could pose risks.
The Oasis Christian Outreach organisation now has a permanent base for its drop-in centre, which caters for people suffering from life-threatening drug addictions and those with mental health problems, at the Brodie Hall at Christ Church, Seaside.
But a resident has set up a petition expressing fear for the safety of children at Pooh’s Nursery — even though the nursery has voiced no concerns.
Father Neil Chatfield, of Christ Church, dismissed the fears as “ridiculous prejudice.”
He said one resident had been going around with a petition trying to get parents to sign it.
Fr Chatfield said, “Oasis is working with those on the margins of society.
“Some have had drink and drug problems and some have mental health issues. Some are just lonely, have suffered a marital or partner break-up and are living in bedsit land.
“The resident concerned has set up a petition without finding out any details about the charity and exactly what it does and alleged it’s a danger to the children at the nursery.
“It is just such a ridiculous thing to think. The resident does not have all the facts and the fears are based on the prejudiced opinion that all the mentally ill are axe murderers and the place is going to be littered with needles.
“Most of the users are vulnerable people in society and as a church we would not do anything at all that would be a danger to children or indeed to those whom we are helping.
“This is something that has been very well thought out. Oasis works in a positive way with firm boundaries of behaviour.”
Brian Martin, founder manager of Oasis, said the charity had been based at the Brodie Hall for the last two weeks.
Gorete Farkhad, proprietor of Pooh’s Nursery, said she had “no worries” about Oasis’ drop-in centre being based next to the nursery.
Snippets in the local news
May 2008: The local charity Oasis, based at Christ Church in Seaside, will benefit from a sponsored bus ride, when Kathy Lewis travels from Eastbourne in a westerly direction on May 10, seeing how far she can get by bus in 12 hours. Her target is Salisbury, approximately 100 miles away, and she is looking for people to sponsor her per mile travelled. All the money raised will be donated to Oasis. Sponsorship forms are available from the church, which is open every weekday morning.March 2008: The Oasis Drama Group, based at Christ Church in Seaside, will be presenting the modern comedy Cloud Cuckoo Land at the Eastbourne College Theatre on Friday March 28 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £4, concessions £3, and will be available on the door or can be booked in advance by calling 01323 412000. The charity Oasis aims to assist those in the community who have suffered problems such as addictions, mental health issues, homelessness, unemployment, or have been victims of cruelty or crime, and helps them restore the motivation needed to rebuild their lives. The charity operates from the Brodie Hall of Christ Church every weekday. Call 01323 726960 if you require help or further information.
Oasis Christian Outreach Centre is independent of the Parochial Church Council.
These articles are reproduced with permission.
