Phoenix Enterprises is calling on local people to help them secure £28,600 of ‘much-needed’ National Lottery funding by voting for them in this year’s The People’s Projects.
Based in the Elgin Industrial Estate, Phoenix Enterprises work with adults experiencing mental health issues, learning difficulties, physical disabilities, and people who are struggling to return to work.
As the only Swindon charity to be shortlisted and one of just five organisations in ITV’s West Country East region in the running for a share of almost £250,000 of funding, all they need is your vote when voting opens on the 15th of May.
In each region, the three projects with the most public votes will receive the grant they applied for. This funding will help make a real difference in people’s lives, particularly in these difficult times.
Should they be successful in winning the funding, Phoenix Enterprises will use the money to help their service users learn new skills that will improve their home lives and their chances of getting paid work.
Only 5% of people with a learning disability, and 6% with a mental health issue, are in paid employment versus the national 81%. This is where Phoenix makes a real difference. They help get those that are able, into sustainable paid employment, by providing proper work experience, helping to find suitable roles, helping with CV writing and interview techniques, and giving references.
The People’s Projects not only delivers vital grants to the heart of UK communities but also raises awareness of the incredible work of the 95 shortlisted community groups vying for your vote.
Back after a 3-year break, The National Lottery Community Fund and ITV have teamed up to give the public a chance to decide how National Lottery funding should be put to good use in their local area.
To be in with a chance of winning, Phoenix Enterprises is calling on viewers to support its bid. Voting opens at 9am on Monday 15th May at www.thepeoplesproject.org.uk and closes 2 weeks later – vote today to make your vote count.
Clare McDougall, CEO at Phoenix Enterprises, said: “The People’s Projects has given us an amazing opportunity to raise awareness and support for our work and, with your help, secure this additional much-needed funding.
“If we win, our project will make a real difference to the 100 adults facing real challenges that come to Phoenix each year. They have a great time, they work really hard and they learn lots. But we want to do more – our people want to learn how to cook, how to grow, how to paint and how to sew! They want to learn new skills that will make them more employable and brighten their home lives.
“Through our Phoenix Rising project, we aim to help our people rise to the challenges they face in daily life. We have applied for this funding to make this possible, but we now need people to get behind us, to show their support and vote.”
David Knott, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “The People’s Projects delivers much-needed funding to the heart of communities and showcases the incredible efforts of hard-working projects across the UK. The short-listed groups are truly inspirational, each delivering life-changing support to their community in different ways. It is now time for the public to have their say in how vital National Lottery funding is used in their area to make a difference to people’s lives, particularly in these challenging times.”
Since it started in 2005, The People’s Projects has awarded around £45 million to over 1,000 good causes.
Voting closes at noon on Friday 26 May 2023. People can vote only once per region and will need an email address or mobile number to vote*. To support Phoenix Enterprises and for Terms and Conditions please visit www.thepeoplesprojects.org.uk
