Support charity closes amid financial problems

A charity that supports young people and adults with education, training and skills is closing after almost two decades, amid financial problems.

The Oasis Partnership, which runs The Oasis Café in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, said it has “taken the difficult decision to close the charity” and that “this process is now underway and operations will cease shortly”.

According to latest accounts submitted and detailed on the charities register the charity’s spending has outstripped its income for three of the last four financial years.

For the financial year ending March 2024 its income was £1.73m but it spent £1.79m.

In addition, it is also almost a month late in filing its annual returns and accounts for the year ending March 2025.

The charities register shows that the charity has 37 members of staff, supported by 18 volunteers.

It has been operating with just one trustee, the register shows.

In a statement the charity said: “Our priority during this period is the welfare of the people who matter most — our staff, volunteers, clients, and the wider community we have served.

“We are committed to supporting staff and clients as responsibly and compassionately as possible during this transition, and to working constructively with partners where appropriate.”

It added that a “new organisation” will be taking over its site with a commitment to continuing many of its regular activities, including its community shed, meals and open mic nights, as well as live music events.

“People who attend or support these activities are encouraged to keep an eye on social media in the coming weeks, where further information about future plans will be shared by the new organisation,” said the charity.

The charity’s supporters and beneficiaries have reacted with sadness to its decision to close.

One said that the charity “was the place I first looked for help and now 13 years later having stayed sober, there’s no way I’d be in this position if it wasn’t for everyone at oasis”.

Another described how the charity had helped them over the last six months especially in learning digital skills and with its confidence course.



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