OASIS ADVICE
Ensuring that everyone in Waterloo has access to high-quality advice when they need it.
We provide free and independent advice services for our local community regarding issues around:
- Debt
- Benefits
- Housing
- Employability
- Immigration
- and more…
SERVICIO DE ASESORIAS GRATUITAS
Ofrecemos un servicio de asesorias gratuitas para individuos con problemas acerca de su estado inmigratorio, beneficios, deudas y vivienda.
Para aceder al servicio se puede asistir los dias miercoles a las 3pm-4:30pm cuando tenemos un interprete que nos apoya.
Please read on for more information…
DEBT ADVICE
We provide an independent debt advice service that exists to help anyone struggling with unmanageable debt, whatever the cause. We are also part of Community Money Advice, a network of debt advice centres nationwide. We are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (ref 951099).
Together we can help you to work through a process of investigating your money issues and developing solutions that will help to resolve your debt issues.
We are here to help anyone struggling with debt and we deal with a wide range of issues from credit card debt, council tax arrears, utility bills, mortgage or rent arrears, through to threatened eviction or county court action.
The process starts by matching you with an advisor who will help you through the process. We then have an initial meeting to find out more about your situation and building a picture of your income and expenditure. Once we have a clear understanding of your financial situation we will discuss your options with you and together plan the best course of action. This could include a payment plan, debt relief order or bankruptcy if necessary
To refer someone or to make a self-referral please use our referral form at www.oasiswaterloo.org/referral. Please bear in mind, it may take us a while to get back to you and there may be a waiting list depending on current demand for the service. We will do our best to keep you informed of the progress of your referral.
BENEFITS
We can assist you in ensuring you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to and supporting if you need to appeal. This includes:
- Checking your eligibility for benefits and completing a benefits check
- Assisting with applications
- Completing mandatory reconsiderations
- Assisting with appeals and tribunals
We have particular experience in making claims, reconsiderations and appeals for Personal Independence Payment but can support with a wide range of benefit related issues.
We run our benefits advice service through a combination of drop-in sessions (details TBC when we reopen our community space after building works) and 1-1 appointments.
To refer someone or to make a self-referral please use our referral form at www.oasiswaterloo.org/referral an advisor will then be in touch. Please bear in mind, it may take us a while to get back to you and there may be a waiting list depending on current demand for the service. We will do our best to keep you informed of the progress of your referral.
IMMIGRATION
We offer free immigration advice and casework support to residents of Lambeth and Southwark.
Oasis Hub Waterloo is registered with the Office of the Immigration Service Commissioner (OISC) as a Level 1 service. Our OISC registration number is N202000134.
We can help with the following kinds of issues:
Applications for entry clearance, Leave to enter or Further Leave to Remain, Indefinite Leave to Remain, Registration as a British Citizen, Naturalisation, PBS Applications etc.
We cannot help with the following kinds of issues:
Applications involving illegal entrants and overstayers, applications involving removal or deportation from the UK, Detention, Bail and Applications for Temporary Admission, Asylum, Tribunal Appeals and Court Work.
HOW TO ACCESS THE SERVICE
The best way to access our service is to attend a drop-in session.
These are held on most Tuesdays from 1:30-3:30pm and Wednesdays 4:30-6pm, at the Oasis Centre, 1 Kennington Road, London SE1 7QP.
No booking is required for these sessions which entail a brief conversation (up to 20 minutes) to assess your immigration matter.
Follow up session(s) may be scheduled to further assess your needs and support you in your case.
If your situation is complex and/or requires further support from an organisation registered at OISC Level 2 or 3 we will refer you on.
CONTACT DETAILS
Email: Advice@OasisWaterloo.org
Phone: 0207 921 4205, Option 2 then Option 1, to leave a message. Please note our phone line is not constantly monitored.
We aim to respond to all enquiries within five working days.
FURTHER INFORMATION
We are funded by the Trussell Trust and our service is principally aimed at individuals who use Foodbanks or are at risk of needing one.
HOUSING
We are currently in the process of setting up a housing advice service, when this is set up we will be able to support with:
- Housing band appeals
- Supporting maintaining tenancies
- Supporting with advocacy for disrepair
- Advocating for repairs and maintenance of properties
- Preventing homelessness
EMPLOYABILITY
This includes help with:
- Figuring out what Skills you already have – more than you may think!
- Writing a CV that shows you at your best;
- Using recruitment websites and submitting applications;
- Explaining References – what they are and how you can find them;
- Interview advice – what to wear, how to act, what questions you might be asked and how you might answer them.
It is open to everyone: school leavers, mums, people with no/poor qualifications, or no/little experience.
DROP-IN: Fridays 10-12pm at the Oasis Centre.
Or ask at the front desk to make an appointment.
CONTACT
If you have any questions or would like to get in touch with us about any of our advice work please contact