Helping people thrive, not just survive post pandemic!
Join our Coast-to-Coast challenge and help us raise £10,000 towards our Re-engage programme reaching hundreds of isolated, disadvantaged, and vulnerable people in East Manchester.
During the month of June we are asking supporters to join our Virtual Coast-to-Coast Challenge for Oasis.
The challenge is to cover 300 kilometres (the distance from St. Bees in Cumbria across three National Parks to Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire) averaging 10k a day over 30 days.
Coast-to-Coast invites you to walk, run or cycle (or a combination of all 3!) 300K in the month of June (all from your back door!). You can go solo, join with a friend, or take on those 300 kilometres as part of a team. It’s up to you!
Coast-to-Coast will be a great way to get fit, have fun and transform a life!
It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive impact on the mental health of our nation, and it is no surprise that the worst hit communities are those suffering severe deprivation.
Here in Gorton, the pandemic has highlighted deep rooted inequalities and complexities that were already here. Isolation, vulnerability, poor housing, addiction, domestic violence, debt, family breakdown, lack of educational resources…the list is long and has been exasperated through lockdown.
Through our remote COVID-19 work of emergency provision, crisis support, and wellbeing packs, human contact has been hard but vital. We have had the privilege and pleasure to connect with our communities through phone calls, letters and covid safe door visits. But our Oasis family are desperate to be back in the centre and their mental health has suffered greatly. In one of our home visits Stuart* spoke for everyone when he said “It’s been so hard not seeing anyone or having anything to do. I live on my own and the doctor said that my anxiety has increased because I have no one to talk to.” Stuart can’t wait for Oasis to re-open and he’s been thinking about volunteering in our free cafe! *name changed
We want to help hundreds of people like Stuart who have lost their confidence, friendships, motivation, direction, and sense of belonging with our health and wellbeing programme Re-engage. Re-engage will move people from isolation to inclusion, helping people become involved and enjoy life! We want to provide stimulating and engaging group activities including wellbeing workshops and events, arts and crafts, keep fit, a gardening club and a community choir. We want to see our Oasis community thriving instead of just surviving!!
We believe our Re-engage programme will be the vital springboard needed to build confidence and motivation moving people past lockdown loneliness and poor mental health to a place of friendships, purpose, and opportunities through our holistic support.
The Oasis Centre is a lifeline to hundreds of people including homeless people, those struggling with addiction or mental illness, ex-offenders, refugees and asylum seekers, families living on benefits and long-term unemployed. Our day centre offers emergency food and clothing, crisis support, a free café offering hot meals, a low-cost charity shop, wellbeing support, education, a work skills club, group and leisure activities, a volunteer training scheme and careers advice.
Our essential services have never been more vital as we journey out of lockdown and your support has never been more vital. Due to social distancing, our usual ways of fundraising have been limited which is why we’re asking you to join us on our challenge to raise funds and change lives.
To register and for further details please visit our JustGiving page
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/coast-to-coast-challenge?invite=true
It would be great if you could join us or sponsor someone who is taking part in the challenge.
However you choose to complete your Coast-to-Coast Challenge the money you raise will be a lifeline to those most in need in East Manchester. Let’s journey together, make a difference and help restore broken lives!
