STAFF from Swindon’s Nationwide offices have given up their time to help a local charity that supports people with mental health issues.

Yesterday, Phoenix Enterprises, based at Groundwell Industrial Estate, invited a small group of nationwide employees to pop along to see the important work carried out by the charity.

Mike Bowden, one of the charity’s trustees, said: “Our aim is to try to promote the self-esteem of our vulnerable people, give them a reason to get up in the morning and provide them with a degree of stability.

“After a while, we become almost like a family to them. It is where they are cared for and nurtured before they are eventually able to enter the workplace.”

The charity performs a wide range of jobs including mail delivery, packing and assembling and leaflet distribution.

As Mike said: “The only difference between the work produced here and at other places is that it is carried out by people with mental health difficulties. We still produce things to a very high standard.”

The day saw the Nationwide employees engaged in a range of activities from folding boxes to fashioning protective jackets for plants.

They acquired some insight into what it must be like for people who are not able, like the rest of us, to cope with the stress of the workplace.

James Rens, Nationwide team manager, said: “Today has been a really good experience. You don’t quite realise just how much support some people need and all the volunteers at Phoenix have done a truly wonderful job.

“People work together brilliantly and you can see just how much they benefit from it.”

Immi Agha, who has relied on the support offered by Phoenix since February, said: “The charity is good because it has let me develop my skills and pick up new ones to put on my CV.

“I have really enjoyed it so far and have found it very beneficial. It keeps me active and allows me to learn.

“I would definitely recommend it to other people. At the end of the day it is down to you to go for it. It is very worthwhile and think the people who work here are very good.”

Mike thanked Nationwide for their support and asked for any other companies who wished to get involved to contact the charity on 01793 729902 or email enquiries@phoenixenterprises.co.uk.