No.3 Provides Safety
Having a safe and secure upbringing plays a huge role in our physical and emotional development. Helping the young people we work with to feel protected yet confident in their abilities is something we strive to provide in every Oasis project, none more so than our housing projects. Here Lila, an ex-resident at No.3, talks through her experience of hostel life.
"The majority of young people don't have a close relationship with their parents and there is a lot of miscommunication and relationship breakdown. Young people are living two separate lives: home life and outside life. Southwark is quite deprived which means that there are either single parent families or parents working 24/7, which means young people are left to grow up by themselves - if not physically, then emotionally. Not having a close relationship with our parents affects the rest of our lives.
I was a resident at No.3 for just over a year. I felt very safe there. In terms of security there were staff there 24 hours a day and having a camera at the door made it feel secure. I felt safe knowing that by 5pm all male visitors had to leave. It also made me feel safe knowing that there are panic alarms and knowing that Oasis has good links with the emergency services.
I didn't ever feel threatened by other residents. At No.3 there was always an option of being in the lounge or staying in your room. In other hostels it's a different atmosphere because people stay in their bedrooms and don't get to know each other. Many of my friends lived in supported housing at the same time. Compared to them I came away with a lot of information. We learnt about things like contacting the council so I help my friends with things that I learnt. It is good to know that you'll definitely be supported and won't be pushed out of the nest too soon. It gives you the time to develop as a person and get back onto your feet. It is also good that Oasis help you get back into contact with family and friends if you want to.
Now I'd like to do a course at Oasis College. Because I came from a project that was very supportive I imagine the college will be the same. It is good knowing that everyone shares the same ethos. I believe in the Oasis ethos and to go to another establishment that has the same values would be very helpful."