As part of creating a Wilder Nottinghamshire Network, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is out in the community connecting with local groups to find out how to shape our network. I'm Harri, the Wilder Officer (North) and I had the absolute pleasure of going to meet Steve Williams, Project Manager at The Oasis Community Centre, and spending a few hours getting to know all about the project. 

12 years, 2 acres, over 2 million in funds raised through grants and fundraising, countless volunteer hours, hard work, and dedication has seen a derelict space be transformed into what it is today: The Oasis Community Centre, based in the heart of Kilton estate in Worksop.  

At the heart of the Centre is Steve Williams, the Project Manager. I had the absolute pleasure of meeting with Steve and getting a tour of the wonderful community garden. Every step of the way Steve and the team, made up of 14 workers and 50 volunteers, have always had the community at the heart of each plan, each project, and each step forward. It was their sheer hard work and determination that got them to a place where they were able to purchase the site for £130k.  

Oasis Community Centre caters to all as demonstrated in the over 30 projects run from the community gardens. Steve is so in tune with his local community and their needs that he has worked endlessly to create a place where everyone is welcomed with open arms providing a green space for the community that will always be just that, a green space. Within the garden, there are opportunities to mix with others or sit and reflect in the butterfly garden; creating safe spaces for whatever people need.  

Oasis is keen to upskill their volunteers by teaching them horticultural skills such as planting, cutting, growing vegetables and fruit and so much more. To me what was evident during the whole visit was the sense of belonging, just like being part of a family. Everyone I met on-site was happy to chat and share their wonderful experience of being at the centre. There are no limits on the number of times you visit Oasis, some people come for a couple of weeks, and some will be there longer, and some, as Steve joked, never leave and are part of the family.  

As we walked around the garden and chatted it was obvious the Steve is committed not only to the local people but also to the planet, to increasing biodiversity in their space and for upcycling wherever they can.  

We then went to see the garden room, and this blew my mind.  The whole thing was made from items out of a skip, even the drill used. Other people's rubbish was re-purposed into a wonderful outside room that has been used for so many different events.  

There are so many projects that Oasis run but one that stood out for me was food boxes created at the centre. Steve told us how these food boxes started during COVID to support people, but the need was so great, four years on they are still creating boxes and providing them to people in the community in need. When Steve spoke about the project, I could tell it hadn’t even crossed his mind to stop them now the pandemic has passed. There is a need for the boxes in the community and Oasis works hard to keep providing as many as they can almost daily.  

Roughly over 20,000 people attend Oasis a year. The centre has become the heart of the community providing a place for learning, support, laughter, friendship, and love. It is easy to see why BBC Gardener’s World described the Oasis as a “therapeutic Community Garden which is making a difference to a community and to members of the community.” They have won countless awards including the Green Flag Award every year since 2018, UK Social Prescribing Awards for Best Community Garden Project, and the Centre for Social Justice Award for Best Local Community Project, just to name a few.  

It would be impossible for me to cover everything they do but for full details on Oasis Community Centre please visit their website.