Northampton’s revolutionary homeless service celebrated its first anniversary earlier today with past and present clients.
Oasis House, in Campbell Street, opened on May 14, 2012 as a result of a successful bid for Places Of Change money to build the facility.
Services at the £5.5 million development are delivered by housing provider Midland Heart, Northampton Association for the Accommodation of the Single Homeless (NAASH), Northampton Hope Centre, Maple Access Partnership and Northampton Borough Council.
Claire Kelman, aged 42, moved from a women’s refuge to NAASH’s previous base at Acorn House in Northampton, before moving into Oasis House when it opened.
She said: “The support at Oasis House is very good and it’s available 24 hours a day. The rooms here are fully equipped for independent living. Over the time I have been here I’ve seen a massive change in myself.”
Oasis House consists of 39 self-contained apartments and nine emergency units, including three dog kennels.
Councillor Mary Markham, Northampton Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing, who attended the celebration, said: “Oasis House offers much-needed accommodation to some of our town’s most vulnerable residents. In just one year we have seen a real improvement in the quality of service we can offer through having everything all under one roof. We are seeing the results of this as people are managing to turn around their life and make a fresh start.”
During the last year 115 rough sleepers have been offered temporary accommodation with support provided by NAASH.
Another 1,100 homeless and vulnerable people have benefited from Northampton Hope Centre’s drop-in day centre.
Customers also benefit from access to the in-house GP and mental health service delivered through the Maple Access Partnership.
Oasis House resident, David Deakin, aged 51, moved into the facility on the opening day last year.
He said: “When I first went into the apartments at Oasis House I thought ‘wow’, this is terrific. They are well designed, good facilities, which allow you to live independently.
“From day one I got that feel good factor about the place. Somebody has taken a lot of time and effort to build this place and help people like myself to get back into mainstream society.”
Mr Deakin became homeless around four years ago when he turned to drink after losing his job.
He said: “Seven years ago I had a really good job, a family, my own house, a new car, four children and then suddenly I got made redundant. I started to worry how on earth I was going to look after my family and I turned to drink. That was my downfall and it was a slippery slope from then ownwards.
“My marriage broke down and I lost my house and became homeless. I lost the job I had moved onto because of my drink problem. Then I lost my mother a couple of years later and my world fell apart.”
Mr Deakin moved into NAASH’s previous base in Acorn House in Northampton before moving into Oasis House when it opened.
He is hoping to move into council accomodation and start a job in the near future.