B&Q Swindon

Phoenix Enterprises is an independent social enterprise whose commercial activities support training and employment opportunities for people suffering with mental health illness, learning and physical difficulties. Our aim is to work with people recovering from short and long-term mental health problems, this could range from depression, autism and aspergers. Not only do we provide extensive training programmes while continuing to develop our business portfolio, but we offer a day centre for people to come to us so they have a place in which they feel included and have fellow members in which to socially interact with. We work closely with counsellors, GP's, Community Psychiatric Nurses (CPN'S), social workers/case workers, agencies and the job centre to ensure that each member get the best from Phoenix. We also offer support to their families. One of Phoenix prime objectives is to act as a stepping-stone towards jobs in competitive employment by giving people the opportunity to rebuild their confidence whilst learning new skills in a productive and supportive environment. Without the support and training that Phoenix offers the service users, their situations and prospects can be severely reduced. The chance of them getting back into full time work would be significantly reduced. We provide our service users with the the chance to gain work based skills in a controlled and safe environment, that with time and support they can use to add to their CVs and get back into meaningful employment. We are solely reliant on commercial business and private funding. Phoenix operates a number of services to local business and the community and this helps the charity to bring in much needed revenue and provide real-time task for the services users. Phoenix service users work in a professional working environment with professional support workers who understand their specific needs.

We hope that when people join us in the cafe, they will feel a valued part of a friendly and supportive team. There are opportunities to develop skills and confidence in front of house, back of house and baking. People can get experience in all these areas, for example barista work, cooking, hospitality, and delivering good quality food in a happy environment. We have lots of lovely customers who love our food, and the atmosphere we have created. We usually have about 80 volunteers with us at any time, and about 22 very part time members of staff, most of whom have also volunteered at some point. People do move on to work, or further learning, with some staying and developing their skills to become our shift leaders of the future. We believe that by being here we can also do our bit to reduce the stigma of mental illness, and we do hear from customers that it has changed their views. Other groups use our cafe , we have a Cafe Crafts group, the Alzheimer's Society host their memory Cafe here once a month and also there are many other groups that meet here regularly. As the icing on the cake, last year we wrote our own Level 2 Cafe Cookery Skills Course, that has enabled 24 people to achieve an accredited qualification. We are continuing to deliver the course with funding is available. We have a thriving kitchen garden and cafe garden run by volunteers to supply produce for the cafe and customers and develop more meaningful volunteering opportunities. We also run 2 lunch clubs for approx. 50 people, and are working with the Parish up at Pinehurst to develop the Pinecones Cafe. We have seen an amazing shift in people’s attitudes to mental health over the past 8 years whist we have been open, and are so pleased and privileged to be part in this important change in society. We are part of the Swindon hub of Time to Change, and regularly do events to help promote good mental health.

Allsorts pre-school & nursery provides early years education and childcare for children aged 2-5 from Royal Wootton Bassett and surrounding villages. Allsorts Pre-School is a registered charity and operates on a not-for-profit basis, so our parents are involved in the running of the setting and all the income we generate is invested back into our setting. Although we are located next to St Bartholomew’s Primary Academy, Allsorts Pre-School is independent and has good links with all primary schools in Royal Wootton Bassett. In partnership with parents, we promote a strong sense of community where children are busy, motivated and challenged to learn effectively ​through imaginative play and well-resourced activities. At Allsorts Pre-school, we are dedicated to creating a nurturing, stimulating and welcoming environment for all children.