Simon Butler, from Oasis Hub Waterloo, tells us about the many support services run by Oasis Hub, including: a foodbank and community fridge, a youth programme, a childrens centre, debt advice, a community space and a Community and Families Programme.
Name
Simon Butler
Organisation and Job role
Project Manager (Sports) for Oasis Hub Waterloo.
What does your organisation do?
We are a large charity that works in the North Southwark and North Lambeth part of London. We are a section of a national organisation. We support families in many different ways. We have a foodbank and a community fridge. We run a youth programme including work in a number of secondary schools and supporting young people who attend A&E. We run a childrens centre, debt advice, a community space and a Community and Families Programme.
The programme I work on is to get families more physically active. The way we do this is to run weekly activities, holiday programmes and adult workshops. All our activities are free for families. It includes weekly family swims, adult workshops in holiday times in Zumba, Yoga and Fitness, multi sport family activities and a weekly programme aimed at getting the adults and children active together. It is funded by Sport England.
How does your organisation support and benefit the Southwark community?
We use local facilities in Southwark such as Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park and other facilities to run activities for local people. We also provide food and refreshments on our programme to help families with nutritious food. The social aspect is very important and from our feedback families have become friends and shared the challenges of daily life which has helped them cope with difficult situations.
What are you working on, is there anything you would like to highlight?
Our summer programme consists of 5 weeks of activities for children and workshops for adults and runs from the end of July right throughout. The project aim is to get both the parents and children active. We have some sports specific activities such as Badminton for the whole family, Cricket for Children and a one off Orienteering afternoon. We aim to have a varied programme to get local people active.
Quote from a beneficiary of Oasis Hub Waterloo:
“Since I have been attending the sports my children have been more social and behaving better”.
How did you hear about Community Southwark?
We have been members of Southwark Sport and Physical Activity Network for a number of years and they told us about Community Southwark.
What difference has the support made to your charity??
Community Southwark has been very helpful in getting us information on what is available in Southwark including training support and funding. I also have pointed people in the direction of the website to get up-to-date information of what is going on locally.
Would you recommend Community Southwark to other charities for support?
Yes.
If yes, why?
For up-to-date information .
How can people get support from your organisation?
We have a number of services we provide. Food insecurity is one thing we do as an organisation. We provide support to parents in many ways including my project which gets adults and children physically active. We have advice in many areas such as housing, immigration and debt. We run baby clothes swap, a childrens centre, we put on events in the community.
How can people find out more about what you do?
Look up Oasis waterloo families on Facebook and Instagram or contact me at: simon.butler@oasiswaterloo.org
Want to feature in a Member Spotlight?
Do you want to tell everyone about the invaluable work that you do?
If so, please fill in our Member Spotlight form here and we will be in touch to tell you when your article will feature on our website, ebulletin and social media channels.
For any queries, please email: info@communitysouthwark.org
