JUSTIN Tomlinson has praised the work of a Swindon charity that provides invaluable opportunities for adults struggling with mental health issues.

He visited Phoenix Enterprises, based on the Groundwell Industrial Estate, to learn more about their work and offer support as they look to move forward after a challenging financial period.

Phoenix is a mailing and packaging social enterprise staffed almost entirely by those most in need of renewed confidence and structure in their lives.

In the past three years, some 58 of those people, or ‘service users’ as they are referred to, have gone on to find full time employment thanks to the support and encouragement of the dedicated team.

During his visit, Mr Tomlinson was introduced to the service users and staff and was shown the range of work undertaken under full commercial contracts for a range of local, regional and national organisations.

In the past, Phoenix have worked successfully with a number of big names including Agralan, Darcourts Ltd, the British Red Cross, and Macmillan.

They team pride themselves on offering a very competitive service at the highest standards, easily comparable to a similar commercial firm.

They can operate at scale as evidenced by an order of 1.9 million units that they were able to fulfil on behalf of a major national charity before Christmas.

Their main aim however is to provide vulnerable and disadvantaged people with a way back into mainstream society and the workplace.

As well as offering a caring and supportive work environment, the team also help with navigating the benefits system, gaining health advice and much more.

Phoenix chairman, Emma Rees, said: “We have made no secret of the fact that we could provide help and support to many more disadvantaged local people if we were able to secure additional contracts for our services.

“Our first priority is to support our service users and in doing so we have an excellent record of nurturing people back into the commercial workplace and reducing their reliance on benefits such as job seekers allowance, therefore saving UK PLC very substantial sums of money.

“Any business that has mailing, printing or assembly work that they would like us to tender for is very welcome to contact me by email at emma@phoenixenterprises.co.uk”

“Our meeting with Justin covered a wide range of issues and I am optimistic that new and additional contracts will be forthcoming and that Phoenix can play an important and increased role in supported work placements in Swindon.”

Mr Tomlinson said: “As the former minister for disabled people, I met and supported a lot of similar social enterprises around the country.

“They do a fantastic job in helping disabled adults to gain confidence and skills, and to improve their chances of securing work going forward.

“I met with them to explore ways I could support their fundraising, to help introduce them to new contacts and we discussed some potential ideas as they go forward.

“It was a very productive meeting and I look forward to working with them in the future.”