The Oasis Centre, Gunnislake, is facing closure within three months, following failure to gain new funding for its core services.

The Oasis Centre tackles problems of rural disadvantage by providing support, advice and training to people of all ages. It acts as a base for external organisations to bring their services to the community. It has an excellent track record for helping people back into work by upgrading their skills and supporting the formation of new businesses. Work in helping the unemployed won it the Cornwall Community Foundation ‘Community Project of the Year’ award last year. For households without a computer it gives access to the internet for job searching and support for compiling and printing CVs. Children and young people use the facilities for doing their homework and the Centre provides a safe and educational environment for them.

The Centre has a relatively small running cost of twenty thousand pounds per year As a small voluntary sector organisation the long term cost benefit from its work in helping people back into work and in supporting a rural community is substantial. However a short term funding squeeze on Local Authorities and service providers may force closure.

After three and a half years the Centre is well established with broad community support and many satisfied and grateful clients.

The Calstock Development Trust, which is responsible for the Centre has initiated its own fundraising activities and welcomes any support from readers in their efforts. For further details, please contact Jane Uglow, Project Co-ordinator, on 01822 834 303 or by email at calstocktrust@btconnect.com