When I first started volunteering with Oasis in 2024, I'd never experienced such warmth and kindness from complete strangers. From day one, I was welcomed with open arms, shared meals, and a community that has since become lifelong friends.

During my first project, we planted seeds, made Christmas decorations and created space for people to express themselves creatively, connect with one another and support their wellbeing. Since then I've returned to paint faces, help at events, and most recently co-created a project last summer with No Fit State Circus.

Together with children, families and adults seeking sanctuary, we explored art, movement, games and play, culminating in a huge collaborative woven artwork at Gŵyl y Parc Festival. Every person contributed something unique, some returning every week to add to the artwork.

I feel incredibly privileged to have spent time listening to people's stories. I've met people with extraordinary resilience, kindness and generosity, who have shared parts of their lives and journeys with me that I will never forget.

Oasis welcomes around 150 people every day and supports thousands of people seeking sanctuary every year, offering everything from hot meals and English classes to wellbeing activities, legal support, creative projects and a place where people are treated with dignity and compassion. In a world where so many people are being displaced by war, persecution and conflict, spaces like Oasis have never been more important.

The Oasis community could not survive without the generosity of the people of Cardiff and beyond. Your support means so much. 

To give you context

£5 provides resources for our after-school homework club

£10 provides a warm meal for 14 people

£15 supports mental health and wellbeing initiatives

£300 provides 462 warm meals- For many clients, their meal at Oasis is the only hot  and nutritious meal they will have

£300 provides 60 bus passes for clients to take public transport to access Oasis's holistic services

£500 will pay for a large coach to take families on a local day trip

This October I'm running the Cardiff Half Marathon. My first ever Half Marathon or race. I've been training consistently since November, and running has transformed my mental health. But every mile I run now is for a charity and a community that has given me so much.

If you're able to, please consider donating. Your support helps Oasis continue offering a warm Welsh welcome and practical support to people rebuilding their lives right here in our community.

❤️ Every donation, share and conversation makes a difference.