A haven for local community as Oasis Academy Parkwood officially open new Hub

The community gathered at Oasis Academy Parkwood for a very special event last week; the opening of their community Hub.

Joined by guests from the Local Authority, Mind mental health charity, NISA, building crew from Jupiter Construction, community healthcare teams, citizens advice and representatives from Oasis Community Learning, the academy were thrilled to open up their brand new Hub space to the community. With special thanks to all those involved, the Oasis Parkwood family and wider community can now benefit from a café, food pantry, hygiene bank (with donations for families in need from partners such as Boots), Suds for Schools free washing machine and community farm.

Principal of the academy, Tracey Norriss, was delighted to start the proceedings as her and Business Manager Sarah Norton reminisced about how just three years ago the team at Oasis Parkwood were standing on the playground handing out food parcels with support from FareShare and Magic Breakfast.

“It has become clear our community needs help with more than just food – white goods, beds for children, our cycle hub, adult education are just some of the areas we have been able to support with until now” commented Sarah Norton. “We hope to continue growing and are really excited to see how it develops. Thank you to everyone involved.”

CEO of Oasis Community Learning, John Murphy, handed the honour of cutting the ceremonial ribbon to the academy pupils from their Mini Senior Leadership Team and Pupil Parliament, speaking to them of the importance of the day and how they might continue to grow with the academy in their mission for community transformation.

The pupils giving tours of the new Hub commented on how proud they were of their school and how “grateful and proud [we are] of the inclusive café” now open to the community.

The Hub aims to offer a social place for people to meet, deliver commodities to support those in need with healthcare, access to clean clothes and access to food. You can find the Hub at the academy premises off Plymouth Road, Scunthorpe.