A community hub and food pantry in Bath has received £272,702 from the National Lottery Community Fund, money that organisers say will sustain its core operations through the next three years while enabling expansion of services addressing local needs.
Oasis Hub Bath, established in the city centre during 2018 as a partnership between Hay Hill Baptist Church and Oasis UK, operates two affordable food pantries serving approximately 600 people weekly. The organisation is located at Fountain Buildings, The Paragon, Bath, BA1 5DU.
Jo Dolby, community director, explained that the grant would prove transformative.
"It will cover the majority of our core operating costs over the next three years. It will also enable us to develop additional services that respond to emerging needs in our local community,"she said.
Beyond food provision, the hub hosts multiple community services including support sessions with Citizens Advice and health checks delivered by partner healthcare organisations. According to Oasis UK records, the facility also runs addiction support groups, a kinship carers support group, Focus Counselling, and a holiday hunger initiative called Make Lunch.
The funding arrives after the hub had already received £19,000 in temporary support through the Household Support Fund 7 scheme in 2025/26 while pursuing longer-term National Lottery backing.
How does the pantry operate?
Membership is available to households with annual income below £18,000 or those struggling to afford food and residing in eligible Bath areas. Two tiers exist: £5 weekly for six items or £7.50 weekly for ten items. Members access chilled and cupboard food, toiletries, and household goods. Items with shorter shelf lives, including fresh fruit and vegetables, are provided free. According to a 2023 Oasis UK supporter magazine, the Bath pantry distributed over 25 tonnes of food annually, equivalent to 58,000 meals in 2022, with more than 230 members then paying £3 or £5 weekly to access £15–£25 worth of provisions.
For help or referrals, potential members can contact the pantry at pantry@oasisbath.org or text 07984 014704.
What impact has the pantry had on members?
Testimonies from users reveal the pantry's significance beyond food provision. One unnamed member described it as essential to their weekly stability.
"No matter what's going on financially, whatever stresses and strains we've got, it's always an accessible price point for us to be able to come and be sorted for the week,"they said.
Another member credited the service with helping manage utility costs and praised staff support.
"I saw someone here who helped me, it was amazing. She was so helpful, non-judgemental,"they recalled.
A member named Sam described a life-changing experience involving an unexpected health intervention.
"I came to the pantry one day and there was a nurse here. She checked my blood pressure and said it was absolutely rocketing. I went straight to hospital, put on an ECG machine and they found out that I had very high blood pressure. Coming here saved my life, so I am so grateful to the pantry and all their staff because I wouldn't be here today without that."
What services does the hub provide beyond food?
Oasis Hub Bath functions as a comprehensive community resource. The facility hosts Citizens Advice support sessions and arranges health checks with partner healthcare providers. The hub also operates addiction support groups, a kinship carers support group, Focus Counselling, and Make Lunch, a holiday hunger project designed to ensure children have access to meals during school breaks.
The hub is listed on the Live Well Bath and North East Somerset support directory as part of the city's food support infrastructure, with Thursday afternoon opening hours available at Oasis Church Bath.
Key Facts
- Oasis Hub Bath has received £272,702 from the National Lottery Community Fund to cover core operating costs for three years
- The pantry serves approximately 600 people weekly through two membership tiers costing £5 or £7.50 per week
- The hub was established in 2018 as a partnership between Hay Hill Baptist Church and Oasis UK and operates multiple community support services beyond food provision
- In 2022, the pantry distributed over 25 tonnes of food, equivalent to 58,000 meals, to members in eligible Bath areas
- Contact for referrals and help is available at pantry@oasisbath.org or 07984 014704
