Almost 250 people joined Oasis Community Housing at its Black & Gold Ball on Friday night to see businesses from across the country receive our social impact awards. The ‘Shared Value’ Awards recognise the life-changing impact our corporate partners’ support has made to people facing homelessness.
BBC’s Reverend Canon Kate Bottley, Oasis Community Housing’s Patron, alongside Corporate Partnerships Manager Sophie Barker and Chair of Trustees Nick Salisbury (far right) presented the charity awards at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead.
“Our Shared Value Awards recognise those businesses that go above and beyond in support of our charity,” said Sarah Lister, Oasis Community Housing’s Acting Chief Executive.
“Every year we deliver vital support, housing and, moreover, a place people feel they belong. We could not deliver what we do without the generous support of our valued corporate partners and the dedicated individuals within these businesses.
“These awards reflect the real and lasting difference these partnerships make to helping people to rebuild their lives.”
PICTURES: View first selection of photos from our Black & Gold Ball 2025 >>>
Ball guests enjoyed a three-course meal, live music from The Brit Pack and took part in fundraising activities including Golf Darts, ‘Black & Gold Balloons’, and Silent and Live auctions. Over £32,000 was raised for the charity’s work with men, women and young people facing homelessness across the North-East and South-East of England.
Social Impact Awards Winners
On the night, Shared Value Awards were presented to Oasis Community Housing’s corporate partners who support the homelessness charity through donations, their own fundraisers, volunteering and so much more.
Receiving the highest accolades were Komatsu UK and Lovell Partnerships North East, both winning Diamond Shared Value Awards.
Far beyond a typical fund-raising corporate/charity partnership, Komatsu UK’s vital support has directly funded our drop-in services, which provide a lifeline for people rough sleeping in Gateshead and Sunderland. The team has also provided gardening and DIY support across our services; supported the local Rough Sleeper Count, which contributes to national statistics; and helped plan the Black & Gold Ball as part of our volunteer Ball committee.
Lynsey Watson, Komatsu UK’s PR Coordinator, is involved in many of the partnerships’ activities. Following one of the company’s volunteering days she said, “Komatsu UK is really proud to support Oasis Community Housing … We all really enjoyed ourselves and there has been great feedback amongst the team about getting involved in future projects. It feels great to be able to help out in our local community.”
The Black & Gold Ball was made possible thanks to our generous sponsors and partners Leonard Curtis, Muckle LLP, Accommodations UK, Hilton Newcastle Gateshead and Northern Print Solutions.