Oasis Britwell is one of our latest community hubs led by Julie Siddiqi MBE. In this blog post, we explore all of the exciting projects already going on within the hub and look to what the future holds in store for our Britwell community.
“All of Steve’s book plays out here. Big time!” says Julie Siddiqi, leader of Oasis Britwell referring to A Manifesto for Hope by Oasis founder Steve Chalke. The book dives into how our current social and economic systems are failing the most vulnerable children and families in society. Having lived in the local area for over 20 years with a background in community organising, Julie is speaking from firsthand experience. “People haven’t been made to feel things are available in Britwell. Many local people do not feel empowered to change their community. We are here to rewrite this story together.”
Located in Slough, Oasis Britwell was born out of the relationships Julie had already established in the community. Though only a few months old, the hub has already brought together a local GP’s practice, an independent café, and a community forum led by long-time residents all located within the previously underused Britwell Community Centre.
This collaborative approach, involving various local partners and services, shows how the power of relationships can overcome bureaucratic hurdles— which are significant in a borough where the local authority has been bankrupt since July 2021.
“All of Steve’s book plays out here. Big time!”
Julie Siddiqi, Oasis Britwell Leader
Holistic health care
Britwell’s local GP practice is at the heart of the community. Medical Avenue Centre — led by Dr. Nithya Nanda, Clinical Director at SPINE Primary Care Network — serves a population of 43,000 patients in one of the most deprived wards in England. “Britwell faces severe physical health challenges,” says Dr. Nanda. But he emphasises that the community’s needs go far beyond physical health. “Many residents face social issues like housing problems, unemployment, and food poverty—issues that the GP practice alone cannot address,” he says.
Together, our Oasis team and partners have created a base in the local Britwell Community Centre. Now it is a space where residents can access a variety of services, from physiotherapy to exercise programs, all under one roof. Since mid-July, the hub has been opening its doors every Thursday morning, offering a community space where residents can enjoy a whole range of activities, seek help, and ultimately, reduce the strain on local health services. “This has already created a community feeling within the space,” says Dr. Nanda. It is this joined-up approach that is at the heart of our holistic vision for community transformation.
A cafe transforming the community
In the same community space sits AJ’s Café. This is run by Sissi, who moved to Britwell in 2013 and started the café after working as a teaching assistant in a local primary school. AJ’s Café is more than just a place to grab a coffee. It’s a space where relationships are built, offering free tea, coffee (and even flowers on Monday mornings), aiming to provide “the cheapest breakfast in Britain” to help those struggling with the cost of living.
The growing network of relationships – given physical form through the Community Centre – means that Sissi can refer people in need of medical support to the GPs, as well as distributing food parcels through a partnership with FareShare. At present, AJ’s Café supports 350 families across Slough, many of whom are refugees. “We are here to serve the community—those in need and those who aren’t. Anyone who enters through this door,” says Sissi. “What I love about this place is that you get to know, meet, and work with so many different people. Every day is different, different, different. It makes you happy when you make someone else happy.”
“Every day is different, different, different. It makes you happy when you make someone else happy.”
Sissi, AJ Cafe Owner
Empowering community voice
Julie and other long-time Britwell residents Christiana, Afsheen, and Asma, also head up a Community Forum designed to ensure that the voices of local people are at the heart of everything the hub does.
The forum has already brought together local businesses, schools, and cafes to explore collaborative possibilities. At present, the young people of Britwell are a central focus. “When children are growing up, they need lots of people around them—not just a parent,” says Afsheen. “They need grandparents, someone down the road, a doctor. If everyone is close enough, that’s helpful for the child to feel comfortable in an environment they can trust. We want to create a feeling of village for our children.”
Julie, Christiana, Afsheen, and Asma’s work on the community forum reflects an understanding of community as something that must be nurtured, not left in isolation. “Families are busy, and children can be lost in the community and fall into crime communities,” says Christiana. “We want to give safe places for their support and to offer alternative forms of community.” The work of Oasis Britwell, rooted in relationships, is about creating these safe spaces and ensuring that the next generation in Britwell has a strong, supportive network they can rely on.
Ownership is the key
Despite early successes, there is still much work to be done. Lasting transformation will only happen when the neighbourhood takes ownership of community spaces and opportunities. “The dream would be for our local community to own this (Community Centre) building in their own way,” Julie says. “To know that it’s theirs, that their voice matters, and that they can get involved.”
Ultimately, it’s the relationships that have been built and nurtured within Britwell that are the foundation for this transformation. These relationships are what carry hope, include those previously isolated, and serve as the bedrock for a stronger, thriving Britwell community.
Listen to Julie and Steve chat on the Manifesto for Hope podcast about how the power of relationships can transform local communities.
