Who Are Oasis
The Oasis vision is for community – a place where everyone is included, making a contribution, and reaching their God-given potential.
We have been pioneering sustainable, holistic community development for 35 years. We work in many communities affected by inequality that impacts all areas of life. So we work in a joined-up way across our communities to create change – economically, socially, physically, spiritually; in education, housing, justice, health, youth, and family support; with people of all ages and in all situations.
We believe that things can change. Where systems leave communities disadvantaged we’re bold about pioneering alternatives and trying new things. We’re not satisfied with the status quo where it keeps people trapped in poverty, or constantly at risk of exclusion.
The Oasis Ethos
Oasis is driven by the passionate belief that each human being is uniquely valuable and of equal importance. We all have something to bring, and we all need each other. We call the ‘O’ in Oasis our ‘Circle of Inclusion’. Everyone matters. Everyone belongs. And because we’re committed to inclusion, we’re committed to ending inequality, injustice, and exclusion wherever and however we can. We hope our values and our ethos are felt whenever someone encounters Oasis, permeating everything we do.
Our Values
We have five core values that inform everything we do.
- A passion to include everyone
- A desire to treat everyone equally, respecting differences
- A commitment to healthy, open relationships
- A deep sense of hope that things can change and be transformed
- A sense of perseverance to keep us going for the long haul
The 9 Habits
Our ethos is lived out in how we work and how we treat each other – across our Community Hubs, Academies, churches, projects, and partners.
To help us in this process of personal growth and development we have the Oasis 9 Habits, which are an invitation to a way of life characterised by being compassionate, patient, humble, joyful, honest, hopeful, considerate, forgiving and self-controlled.
Christ-Centred
Our vision, values, and ethos are Christ-centred, informed by the life and person of Jesus.
We will not impose the beliefs that underpin our ethos on anyone. We recognise and celebrate the richness that spiritual and cultural diversity brings to our community, respecting the beliefs and practices of other faiths in the hope that we will provide a welcoming environment for all.
The Story of Oasis
Oasis was founded in 1985 in Tonbridge, Kent, by Rev Steve Chalke. After five years of fundraising and awareness raising, the first Oasis project – a hostel for homeless young women in Peckham – was opened by Steve and Cornelia Chalke in 1990. Since then Oasis has grown in to a global movement pioneering a whole range life-changing projects around the world.