Oasis kids win competition to name anti-poverty van

Pupils from the Oasis Academy in Hollinwood eyed a brand-new vehicle designed to help some of the borough’s most disadvantaged families and called it - Hope.

And their choice impressed social enterprise Upturn so much, it won a competition to christen the VW Van, now busy in the borough offering health, wealth, and employment advice.  

And what makes their achievement even more remarkable is that many of these Year Five pupils had never encountered a campervan before!

The Hope initiative is a lifeline for those facing the challenges of poverty, the cost of living crisis, and life hardships.

It reaches out to those on the fringes of society.

And in an unexpected turn of events, Upturn’s leadership announced their intention to sponsor a campervan staycation for a deserving family.

This lucky family, who will have been grappling with life’s difficulties, will have the opportunity to experience a unique holiday in the VW campervan during 2025.

Co-founder of Upturn, Maria Williams, shared: “Hope was initially about bridging gaps for those on the margins - people who couldn’t afford to travel to Oldham for essential support appointments.

"But now, it’s also about broadening access and opportunities for those furthest from the help they need.

"Our camper van, equipped with decent facilities, becomes a vessel of dreams.”

Even though it is located close to Metrolink connections, Limeside has become a place of isolation, where residents, some of whom have spent three decades in the area, have faced impossible choices.

Emily Charles, Assistant Principal for Inclusion at the Oasis Academy, added: “Their world was their estate.

"But with Sure Start centres closing and poverty tightening its grip, they had to choose between feeding their families and journeying to Oldham for benefits.”

Upturn has woven itself into the community fabric, empowering young people by collaborating with local businesses to fill skill gaps.

“At the Oasis Academy, pupils aren’t discarded due to their backgrounds; they are infused with confidence and self-belief,” concluded Maria. 

“We encounter too many young souls crippled by poverty and limited education.

"Let’s bridge that gap - one little spark of hope at a time.”

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