Who We Are
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Serving The Community
The Oasis Youth Centre in owned by Dumfries and Galloway Council and is operated by the Youth Work Team in partnership with the Oasis Centre Management Committee. The youth centre provides a safe place where anyone aged 12-25 can discover somewhere to go, something to do, and someone to talk to. Since opening in 1999, the Oasis Youth Centre has provided support and opportunities to many young people and continually looked to reshape its provision in line with the needs of the young people it serves.
Facilities include a performance area including a stage – serviced by modern lighting and sound desks, music and media suites, a meeting room, youth information room, industrial kitchen, fully equipped laundry and changing facilities, sensory room, recreational area and café.
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A GREAT CAUSE
The learning community which the Oasis Youth Centre serves encompasses Nithside and Nunholm. These areas sit in the lowest 10% in the Scottish Index of Multiple Depravation (SIMD). Many young people in the surrounding area are vulnerable to poor educational attainment, future worklessness and to developing antisocial or offending behaviour.
The Oasis Youth Centre and Community Learning & Development Nithsdale aims to provide young people with opportunities to make constructive use of their leisure time, raise their aspirations and choose a positive, independent lifestyle. This is achieved through structured evening sessions, Family Sundays, Community Fun Days as well as targeted provisions such as:
- Mentoring Programme – weekly one-to-one support for young people aged 12+.
- Employability Programme – support into work.
- Young Leaders – a volunteer training programme for 15-18 year olds.
Because we value the input of our young people to the centre and to their communities, we celebrate the successes of our young people at the annual Nithsdale Celebration of Achievement Awards. The awards evening helps display just how great young people can be when they are given the support they deserve.
We are open 7 days a week.
Staff
Staff
Youth Work Team
I manage services for young people across Dumfries and Galloway. I oversee the team that work to deliver opportunities for young people in the local areas.
Mark Molloy
Manager - Young People
I’m responsible for the music provision in the Oasis Youth Centre and the wider Youth Work Team. We put together Music Night, Youth Beatz, I support the Oasis Events Team and I also run the Nithsdale Challenge.
Paul Chisholm
Senior Youth/Music Development Worker
I’m responsible for the Youth Enquiry Service on Buccleuch Street, Dumfries. This is where you can get one to one support, get involved in issue based groups and The Toon - the interactive youth information theatre production.
Kelly Ross
Youth and Community Assistant
I’m responsible for youth democracy opportunities such as the Oasis Management Committee, Local Youth Platform and Nithsdale’s MSYP, Emily Davies. I also work in Sanquhar Academy and at the Attic drop in.
Regan Jackson
Community Learning & Development Worker
I run the DofE group at the Oasis Centre on Tuesday nights and support all the other DofE Centres across the region.
Gary Kirkpatrick
Duke of Edinburghs Award Support Worke
Lynsey White
Youth Information Worker
Gayle Finlay
Youth Information Worker
Haylie Crosbie
Modern Apprentice
Thomas Nicoll
Modern Apprentice
Martin Henry
Senior Clerical Assistant
The Committee
The Oasis Centre Management Committee (OCMC)
The OCMC is made of young people who go to the Oasis Centre and want to make change happen. They are responsible for starting new projects and services, and making decisions on the centre. So, do you feel as though you can represent other young people as well as yourself? Do you want to have a say and develop future projects? Do you want more influence over what happens in your youth centre? To find out more please speak to one of our Youth Workers, e-mail youth.work@dumgal.gov.uk or find us on Facebook.
