Gateshead-based homelessness charity Oasis Aquila Housing launched their crowdfunding campaign this week to raise money for the new premises of their drop-in centre, Basis@Gateshead.
The charity have run their drop-in centre on Gateshead High Street for the past 7 years, where they have helped hundreds of individuals who are rough sleeping or at risk of becoming homeless. Alongside showers and laundry facilities, Basis@Gateshead has staff on hand to support individuals with filling out forms, applying for jobs and benefits and finding a secure place to stay.
Having welcomed over 4000 individuals since they first opened, the charity report that they are seeing more people seek help at Basis than ever before. Having outgrown their first building, Basis@Gateshead will soon move to Prospect House, where the new building will provide not just a bigger space but also better facilities to provide even more support to those who come off the streets seeking help. Plans for the new building include a new IT suite to allow people to access the internet to search for properties and complete online applications.
Phil Conn, Head of Crisis Services at Oasis Aquila Housing spoke of the impact of their work at Basis@Gateshead, “We’ve seen scores of people enter the project with nothing but the clothes they’re barely standing up in, have their practical and emotional needs met, been patched up (metaphorically and often literally) and journeyed with on their road to wellness. “
The new building will cost over £40,000 a year to run, and so the charity are crowdfunding to make a start at raising the first £5,000. The charity are hoping that the 5K they will rise will help transform their new building from an empty shell into a welcoming space and build a supportive base for the community.
For more information, visit www.oasisaquilahousing.org/