Charity fighting social exclusion in Bristol receives funding boost

Beyond a simple lack of money, poverty can easily push people into social exclusion – frozen out of the workplace and from opportunities.

In some communities, multiple generations are locked out of work, harming their health and wellbeing.

In Bristol, Phoenix Social Enterprise works to fight that.

Through a range of courses and its community hub, the charity has helped thousands of people in the west of England. It puts special focus on disadvantaged groups and minority ethnic communities.

And now, £40,000 in funding from Big Issue Invest, the investment arm of the Big Issue, will allow Phoenix to renovate its premises and make its courses digital.

The barriers to employment can be all-too-familiar. As well as a lack of education and skills, things such as debt, childcare, and disabilities can combine to make life harder for underrepresented groups.

Phoenix runs a range of projects to address these, helping people improve their skills, but also addressing specific problems. Its e-driver project helps address risky behaviour in young adults, turning them into safer drivers.

With the investment, it will be able to reach more people with its projects.

Babs Williams, CEO of Phoenix Social Enterprise, said: “We are incredibly pleased to have secured this investment from Big Issue Invest. It will help us not only update our building but to grow our digital capabilities and in turn reach even more people.”