The Oasis Centre
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersManchester, England, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
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).
The Oasis Centre firmographics
Firmographics- 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
The Oasis Centre industry classification
Industry- 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
Where The Oasis Centre is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Manchester, England
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Oasis Centre business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
The Oasis Centre product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use The Oasis Centre
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Oasis Centre technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Oasis Centre partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- One Manchester Housing AssociationcoreA 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 CouncilcoreManchester 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)minorCDL 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 CoachesminorPhil 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 ChurchminorOpened 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 SuppliesminorMike 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 & CocoreSimon 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 LtdcoreArchitecture 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 PartnershipcorePart 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, GortonminorHosted 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, GortonminorSupported 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 BureauminorReferral and support partner providing advice services to Oasis clients on benefits, debt, and legal matters.
- JobCentre PlusminorGovernment 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 TrustminorAndy 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.
- FareshareminorNational food redistribution charity that supplies surplus food to Oasis for use in its free cafe and emergency food parcels.
- Christians Against Poverty (CAP)minorDebt 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
The Oasis Centre competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
The Oasis Centre social profiles
Digital presenceThe Oasis Centre financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Oasis Centre leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
The Oasis Centre funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Oasis Centre M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Oasis Centre
What does The Oasis Centre do?
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.
Is The Oasis Centre a public or private company?
The Oasis Centre is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Oasis Centre founded?
The Oasis Centre was founded in 2001. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Oasis Centre based?
The Oasis Centre is headquartered in Manchester, England, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does The Oasis Centre make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations & Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are charity Shop Revenue, trust & Foundation Grants and corporate Partnerships.
Who are The Oasis Centre's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Mustard Tree, Christians Against Poverty (CAP), The Trussell Trust, The Boaz Trust and The Booth Centre. Broad incumbents are Emmaus UK, Crisis UK, Shelter UK and The Salvation Army (UK). Centre for Social Justice is listed as an others.
Does The Oasis Centre have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Oasis Centre.
What industry is The Oasis Centre in?
The Oasis Centre's product category is Community Social Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIANAC, Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services, with a secondary code of EDAKANAK, Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation. Its NAICS code is 624230 and its SIC code is 8300.