Twenty local charity leaders - all partners in Oasis St Martin’s Village, in South London - meet together today and each Monday morning to discuss the work we do together with children at risk of violence, struggling with school and searching for belonging.

‘We Are United’ is a national response to the rise in fear, scapegoating & hostility towards people from migrant & historically marginalised backgrounds. Read more here & then register your interest in organising a ‘We Are United’ event next Christmas - https://t.co/yPvwwM9xuy

When the last carols have been sung, the work of Christmas begins. To ensure inclusion for the marginalised. To create liberty to the oppressed. To bring hope to the forgotten. To welcome the refugee. To seek justice for all. That’s the joy and the challenge of 2026!!

God of Love, at the beginning of this New Year, filled with the unknown, grant us the enthusiasm that trumps anxiety and opens up the road before us. As we traverse this new pathway, with its challenges and opportunities, grant us your wisdom, grace and courage.

Perhaps the deepest challenge of the Christmas story is to truly accept the ‘upside-downess’ of it all - the great reversal of the way God does things, the kind of people God gives leadership to & the way the old institutions are left either opposing them or trying to catch up!

“I bring you good news of great joy for ALL people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born”, said the angel. May God bless you this Christmas morning. With huge appreciation of all of you who are working or volunteering today or over the next few days to serve others.

Those shepherds heard the good news first. ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy for ALL people.’ God is the lover of all humanity regardless of class, sex, sexuality, gender orientation, disability, race, religion or any other characteristic. No fear, just love!

My favourite carol ‘O Holy Night’. Especially verse 3, too often dropped for being too political. “Truly he taught us to love one another; His law is love and his gospel is peace. Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother, And I n his name all oppression shall cease.”

To be serious about tackling the rootcauses of misogyny, we must tackle social media owners & empower grassroots, community owned youth work, instead of pushing schools, already giving everything everyday to encourage their students to become their best selves, to do even more.

In my view, the main reason we’re living in an age of ‘over diagnosis’ of mental health issues, is because we have an ‘under investment’ in community development and well-being.

My kind of flag! We are better together!

Any expression of Christian Faith that makes us less respectful, less welcoming and less tolerant of those who are different from us, is a fake.

As the NHS struggles to cope with the surging flu outbreak, some suggest shutting schools as a ‘fire break’. But as Covid taught us, this has huge ramifications for both children & families - a decision that should only be taken if it’s become impossible to staff a school safely.

When a child lacks security they come to school in search of what they are starved of. It’s only when a child enjoys security that they can come to school fully focussed on learning.

Brilliant evening yesterday at Wembley Stadium with Joel Ward and Mike Summers, all being interviewed by Sky’s Soccer Saturday presenter Simon Thomas about @Crystals_CPFC , the FA Cup, faith, education, @PalaceForLife and our work in South London with young people.

People are beginning to talk of shutting schools because of the severe flu outbreak. To shut a school is a decision with huge ramifications for hard-working families & children. We, at Oasis, would only make that move in a situation where a school has become impossible to staff.

Find out more about Oasis Belgium’s Ghaith Al-Nas (Rain for the People) work, supporting Palestinian families who have escaped Gaza & arrived in Belgium - offering them friendship, aid & practical help with appointments, schools & other vital services. https://t.co/CQwLbouKF7

As the govt pledges to end children growing up in B&Bs, we are already investing in houses for our pupils living in temporary housing which leaves them missing school, arriving late, tired & anxious with devastates their education, physical & mental health. https://t.co/wfsOtqXRo8

Today’s news from govt about Family Hubs is not a moment too soon. The lack of support, especially evident in socio-economically communities, means too many children are not ready to start or thrive in school. But, to succeed we must also harness the power of grassroots groups.

Kemi Badenoch branded last week’s budget-a 'Benefits Street Budget', referring to James Turner Street in Birmingham, which Channel 4 unkindly renamed. Well Oasis works there, our school is Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ & the community is a wonderful mix - just like any street in Britian!