The Oasis Centre

What The Oasis Centre does

The Oasis Centre is a UK registered non-profit charity founded in 2001 by Victoria Armstrong in Gorton, East Manchester — an area ranked within the bottom 1% of English neighbourhoods for total deprivation. It operates as a holistic community day centre delivering free, integrated services to vulnerable and marginalised adults through five interconnected programmes: RE-BUILD (crisis support — emergency food parcels, free cafe, clothing), RE-ENGAGE (wellbeing and social inclusion), RE-SKILL (adult literacy, numeracy, ESOL, basic life skills), RE-START (IT training, CV writing, job search, work club), and Next Step (volunteer-to-employment pathways in retail and catering). Services are delivered in person from a purpose-built £1.2 million centre at 929 Hyde Road (opened October 2020), by phone, and historically via doorstep delivery during COVID-19; all client services are free of charge.

The organisation serves a long-tail of individual beneficiaries — over 7,000 individuals and approximately 3,000 families cumulatively since founding, with 100+ unique visitors weekly and 5,455 annual footfall in a recent reporting year. Its technology stack is non-proprietary and modest (basic computers and tablets for client education, standard office IT), with no software product, platform, or AI capability disclosed. There is no underlying technology moat; the model rests on human relationships, trust, and physical presence in a hyper-local geography.

Revenue mechanics are those of a small-to-mid UK community charity: approximately 50% of annual funds from trust and foundation grants (centrally the Christian Funders Forum network), supplemented by individual donations, community fundraising events (Run for Oasis, Coast-to-Coast Challenge, Gala Dinners), corporate partnerships (Chariot Office Supplies, CDL, Belle Vue Coaches), retail income from an on-site pop-up charity shop, and EasyFundraising/JustGiving online giving. The 2020 capital build was funded as a one-off £1.2 million campaign across individuals, churches, businesses, and trusts rather than via institutional investment. Key strategic partners include One Manchester Housing Association, Manchester City Council (which provided land for £1), JobCentre Plus, Citizens Advice Bureau, Christians Against Poverty, Fareshare, GMP Police, and a network of local churches (Trinity Baptist, St James).

Name

The Oasis Centre

Legal name

The Oasis Centre

Website

https://oasisgorton.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Oasis Centre is a UK non-profit charity in Gorton, East Manchester, providing free crisis support, education, and employment programmes to vulnerable and marginalised adults through a holistic RE-BUILD / RE-ENGAGE / RE-SKILL / RE-START model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Community Housing Services (62422), Educational Support Services (611710), Community Food Services (62421)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK)

Keywords

• Community crisis support
• Adult education training
• Charity community services
• Food poverty relief
• Employment readiness programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Manchester, England

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations & Fundraising: The centre relies heavily on donations from individuals, community fundraising events (Run for Oasis, Coast-to-Coast Challenge, bungee jumps, sponsored silences), and its JustGiving page. No set membership or subscription model is described.
2. Charity Shop Revenue: A pop-up charity shop within the centre sells donated clothing and household goods at low prices to clients and community members. All proceeds fund the centre's operations including the free cafe.
3. Trust & Foundation Grants: Approximately 50% of annual funds come from trust funds and foundations. The Christian Funders Forum network of trusts and foundations has been a key supporter. Trusts have nominated the centre for awards and continue to provide multi-year funding.
4. Corporate Partnerships: Local businesses (Chariot Office Supplies, CDL, Belle Vue Coaches) provide in-kind support, sponsorships, and donations. These partnerships are described as long-term (10+ years in Chariot's case) and include supply donations, sponsorship of activities, and free services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Oasis Centre is a free community day centre in Gorton, East Manchester, providing emergency crisis support (food parcels, free cafe meals, clothing), adult education (literacy, numeracy, ESOL), employment preparation (IT training, CV writing, job club), wellbeing and social inclusion activities, and a volunteer development pathway to vulnerable and marginalised adults. All services are free at point of use, delivered under four interconnected programmes (RE-BUILD, RE-ENGAGE, RE-SKILL, RE-START) plus the Next Step volunteer programme.

Product overview

The Oasis Centre operates as a community day centre providing holistic support services through four interconnected programmes: RE-BUILD (emergency crisis provision), RE-ENGAGE (wellbeing and social inclusion), RE-SKILL (education and basic skills), and RE-START (employment preparation), plus the Next Step volunteer development programme. The centre serves vulnerable adults in East Manchester, offering free cafe, charity shop, and community support services alongside structured programmes designed to move clients from crisis through to stability and employment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RE-SKILL: Education programme teaching basic adult life-skills including literacy, numeracy, English, maths, art and science
• RE-START
• RE-BUILD
• RE-ENGAGE
• Next Step

Quantifiable outcome

• 9 clients found full-time employment in one year; 20 moved into training, volunteering or education
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• One Manchester Housing AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA key strategic partner delivering educational events and courses to One Manchester residents. Oasis identifies key areas of need and jointly delivers services. One Manchester nominated Oasis for the Inside Housing Development Awards 2019. The partnership also formed the basis of the housing development and centre co-location project.
• Manchester City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManchester City Council offered land for £1 in 2014 to enable the centre's new building. The council is a joint partner in the Best Development Partnership Award alongside One Manchester and Oasis for the purpose-built centre. Council also provides ongoing community support referrals.
• CDL (local business)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCDL funds the education programmes at Oasis and sponsors the Winter Awards Ceremony. Frank Robinson from CDL personally presents certificates to clients. CDL's support has enabled 186 individuals to participate in education programmes over one year.
• Belle Vue CoachesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPhil Hitchen, founder and MD of Belle Vue Coaches (raised in Gorton), donated a coach and driver Dennis for free for an educational trip to Hull. Ian Bragg from the company also contributed. The partnership grew from Phil's personal connection to Gorton and his desire to give back.
• Hull Community ChurchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOpened their Narnia exhibition (featuring a full-size Aslan and Ice Queen) on their only day off exclusively for Oasis clients. Anne Dannerolle, co-leader, facilitated the special opening.
• Chariot Office SuppliesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMike Carter and his team have supported Oasis for over 10 years, providing weekly supplies and sponsoring activities such as an Easter card competition. Mike is described as part of the Oasis family. Chariot has been a consistent donor and business partner.
• Roger Hannah & CocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSimon Cook, Managing Director of Roger Hannah (a property consultancy), served as Trustee of Oasis and provided the full services of his company throughout the land acquisition and development of the new centre. His involvement dates back approximately 6 years to the initial site search.
• Grays Architecture LtdcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture firm responsible for designing the new purpose-built centre on Hyde Road, Gorton. Matt Gray of Grays Architecture contributed to the award-winning design alongside Roger Hannah and Wilkinson Cowan Partnership.
• Wilkinson Cowan PartnershipcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPart of the professional team contributing to the award-winning new centre development alongside Roger Hannah, Grays Architecture, One Manchester, and Manchester City Council.
• St James Church, GortonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted Oasis for 14 years in their church building before the new centre opened. Revd Craig Smith, Neville and Sylvia and the congregation provided ongoing support and hospitality throughout the centre's formative years.
• Trinity Baptist Church, GortonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupported Oasis from the very beginning and served as an exceptional neighbour to the new centre site. Pastor Wayne Clarke and the congregation have been significant supporters of the building project. The new centre is located next to Trinity Baptist.
• Citizens Advice BureauminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReferral and support partner providing advice services to Oasis clients on benefits, debt, and legal matters.
• JobCentre PlusminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGovernment employment service that refers job seekers to the Oasis Centre for support with skills, CV writing, job applications, and IT training. Part of the referral ecosystem.
• The Message TrustminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAndy Hawthorne OBE, Chief Executive, stated that The Message Trust has worked closely with Oasis over the past couple of years, supporting some of the most vulnerable people in and around Gorton. Described Oasis as indispensable.
• FareshareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational food redistribution charity that supplies surplus food to Oasis for use in its free cafe and emergency food parcels.
• Christians Against Poverty (CAP)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDebt counselling charity working with Oasis clients who face severe debt issues, providing specialised support alongside Oasis's crisis support team.

Scale indicators21 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mustard Tree: Greater Manchester charity tackling poverty and homelessness through a lifestyle centre offering food, clothing, training and supported volunteering. Comparable as a regional peer delivering wrap-around crisis-to-employment support to disadvantaged adults, and listed as an Oasis partner on its homepage.
• Christians Against Poverty (CAP): UK debt counselling charity partnering with churches to support people in severe financial crisis. Directly comparable as an Oasis referral partner delivering debt-advice services to the same client population in Gorton.
• The Trussell Trust: UK-wide network of food banks and the largest provider of emergency food parcels nationally. Comparable as the dominant UK food-parcel operator whose model (and rising demand) closely mirrors Oasis's RE-BUILD emergency food provision.
• The Boaz Trust: Manchester charity providing accommodation and support to destitute asylum seekers and refugees. Highly comparable to Oasis's original founding mission (supporting asylum seekers in Gorton) and listed as a partner on Oasis's website.
• The Booth Centre: Manchester-based day centre supporting people experiencing homelessness, poverty and social exclusion through advice, arts, training and wellbeing services. Most directly comparable peer: same city, same client cohort (rough sleepers, vulnerable adults), and a similarly holistic non-target-driven model.

Broad incumbents

• Emmaus UK: UK federation supporting people out of homelessness through 'home, work and community' in furnished accommodation communities with social-enterprise work. Comparable in its holistic transition-to-employment model for marginalised adults.
• Crisis UK: National UK charity dedicated to ending homelessness through housing, education, training and campaigning. Comparable in mission (ending homelessness and supporting people into employment) but operating nationally at much larger scale and a broader policy/advocacy remit.
• Shelter UK: National housing and homelessness charity providing advice, legal support and campaigning. Comparable in addressing housing insecurity and homelessness but operating as a much larger national advocacy and advice organisation.
• The Salvation Army (UK): Major UK faith-based charity delivering food, shelter, debt advice, addiction recovery and employability services. Comparable in offering the same multi-dimensional support to Oasis's client base, with explicit partnerships during COVID-19 (Salvation Army Gorton).

Others

• Centre for Social Justice: UK think-and-action tank focused on poverty and social breakdown. Comparable as the awarding body whose National Poverty Awards Oasis won, and whose North-West board includes Oasis's CEO — signalling alignment of mission around tackling root causes of deprivation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-oasis-centre-gorton

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Oasis Centre