Homeless charity Oasis Community Housing launches its 'Giving a Home' appeal in London for the very first time. This informal networking event is kindly supported by Barings, in their Old Bailey venue, with pastries, teas and coffees available for all attendees.

Start your working week by hearing inspiring stories from people who have experienced homelessness as well as easy to-do things that will make a life-changing difference this winter, including the charity's Big Give week (3 to 10 December) where all donations are doubled thanks to the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust.

Whether it's wearing a Christmas jumper, joining us on social media or buying original artwork to support the homeless charity - and gain an investment - your support will offer a brighter future to the 2,000+ people Oasis Community Housing supports across the UK every year.

At the event, chat to existing supporters like Barings Director Sara Stewart and Artist Crispin creator of 'Savage Garden - Elon Musk' $2m painting on display. See his special 'Whispers of Hope' & 'Rewind NA' pieces being auctioned to raise funds for our Appeal.

Homelessness seems to loom larger than all of us, but you can have a real part in turning the tide, with this year's Appeal set to make the most difference possible.

In years to come you'll be able to say, 'I was one of the original 50 in 2024 at the very first London Launch of the Giving a Home Appeal'.

Crispin Sturrock's 'Savage Garden' is a thought-provoking abstract painting that invites the viewer to contemplate the complexities and uncertainties of humanity's quest for exploration and discovery. The painting symbolising the daunting challenges and risks that come with venturing into the unknown.

The layers of paint in the artwork are rich with motifs and clues that reflect the incredible minds of mankind and their unquenchable thirst for knowledge. From the earliest voyages across the seas to the cutting-edge space exploration of today, humans have relentlessly pursued the mysteries of the universe at their ultimate cost.

Through its depiction of a search for a new Eden in the vast expanse of space, the painting suggests that we are driven by a deep-seated desire to find meaning and purpose beyond our current existence and become multi-planetary. The possibilities of living in a tin can or on a new planet that will take generations to develop raise profound questions about what we sacrifice to achieve for our own kind and what we will leave behind.

Sturrock draws upon the visionary figure of Elon Musk and his company SpaceX, who are at the forefront of the quest to establish a human presence on Mars. The painting captures the emotional uncertainty and challenges of this bold vision, while also highlighting the immense potential rewards that could be gained from such a venture.

Ultimately, 'Savage Garden' is a poignant reminder that humanity's pursuit of knowledge and exploration is a deeply ingrained part of our nature, driving us ever forward towards new frontiers and possibilities. It challenges us to confront the risks and uncertainties of the unknown, while also celebrating the boundless potential of our human spirit.