Sports Development - Press Release

Liam Finds His OASIS

OASIS (Offering Arts & Sports in Society) is a North East Lincolnshire Council initiative, funded by the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB), that targets young people in eight areas and gives them the opportunity to participate in sports and arts activities in their own community. Since it was first introduced in 1997, the scheme has helped thousands of young people develop their skills and enjoy the workshops, days out and equipment OASIS has been able to provide.

As one of the many young people who have benefited from the project, Liam Hiles was working as a volunteer for the Friends of Immingham Association organising events within the North East Lincolnshire community. Liam was unemployed at the time and keen to gain experience of working with young people and he saw the OASIS project as an ideal way of combining his interests with developing skills as a youth worker.

While working on projects in the area, the Friends of Immingham group was approached by Donna Fox of North East Lincolnshire Council Arts Development Unit. Donna needed help setting up and running half-term activities in Immingham. Liam was keen to get involved as the project involved the organisation of plenty of community based events.

Initially, Liam assisted with the planning of events and his experience with Friends of Immingham meant he could give suggestions on what type of activities to provide. It quickly became clear that he was suited to youth work and Liam was offered a position as a New Deal volunteer with the scheme. The position lasted for six months working primarily on the arts development side. Within a short space of time Liam became an invaluable member of the OASIS team. He worked closely with the Sports Development

Officer and they collated their activities, which in turn allowed them to arrange holiday programmes across North East Lincolnshire.

Chris Jones, Development Manager for Community Regeneration, North East Lincolnshire Council said: "OASIS was set up in 1997 with the recognition that there was an identified need for young people in priority areas to have more access to arts and sports activities. The project was a working partnership between North East Lincolnshire Council, voluntary and public sector organisations and private industry.

"OASIS enabled local communities to gain access to resources, training and expertise, to motivate and encourage young people and provide them with the opportunity to take part in positive sport and arts experiences that will enhance their quality of life.

"Looking back over the project I can see how it has planted a number of seeds with local groups that are now coming to fruition."

Liam is very proud of what the OASIS project has achieved both locally, and personally - indeed he is keen to point out how OASIS aided the development of his career and gave his confidence a much-needed boost:

"For me personally, the best part was the opportunity to get back to work. Chris Jones and Donna Fox were very pleased with the work I was doing and encouraged me a lot. The opportunity for young people to access sports and arts for next to nothing was an added bonus."

These days, Liam can be found working hard as the Youth Development Officer in charge of setting up Youth Action Groups (YAG) across North East Lincolnshire and still enjoys working with the region's young people.

Liam added: "I enjoy their freshness and their ability to turn things sideways and look at how to address a problem. They are also very good at finding solutions and are open to new ideas."

4 April 2003

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