Work Placements
Phoenix is a charity which was established in order to provide supported work experience placements for young people and adults with a range of learning difficulties.
We can offer experience in a range of work activities -
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a concrete factory producing a variety of handmade paving slabs and garden ornaments
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carpentry workshops producing garden furniture and wildlife accessories
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a garden growing vegetables for cooking and sometimes plants for sale
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a kitchen canteen providing daily hot meals for our workforce and cakes for sale
Co-workers work alongside staff and volunteers on all elements of our enterprise, gaining work and life skills. We accept co-workers who are independent in terms of their personal care and welcome support workers to attend where appropriate to ensure that all co-workers have the best experience at Phoenix.
Some of our co-workers and the types of work they undertake are shown in the gallery below.
For more information and if you have any questions please contact us.
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Please note that we are a dog friendly site, with customers, especially those walking in the country park, often visiting with dogs, and we also have our own dog on site most days.
Adult Placements
Phoenix offers placements providing a meaningful experience of work and the development of social and life skills to adults with a range of learning disabilities. After people with special, additional or complex needs reach the end of formal education it can be very hard for them to find meaningful work. By providing supported placements we greatly improve the confidence, quality of life and self-fulfilment of our co-workers.
Our aim is to provide a safe, welcoming and empowering environment in which co-workers can develop practical work, life and basic skills. We actively promote an inclusive atmosphere, encouraging tco-workers to socialise, make friends and have consideration for others.
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Our co-workers are supported at all times by trained staff and volunteers, and have the opportunity to work in three key departments:
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Factory - producing concrete slabs and garden ornaments.
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Woodshed – making a variety of items ranging from picnic tables and garden benches, arbors and mud kitchens, to bird boxes, planters, trellises in all shapes and sizes and bespoke items made to order.
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Kitchen - providing a daily two-course lunch for co-workers, volunteers and staff.
There is also seasonal work in our garden where we grow fruit and vegetables for our kitchen and a small number of plants for sale.
We endeavour to embed essential life skills in all our training and co-workers are encouraged to develop their abilities in basic numeracy, literacy and ICT during their working day. We strongly promote team working and the practice of skills such as time management, basic budgeting and independent travel. We also encourage co-workers to take an active interest and be involved in all aspects of Phoenix, which includes off site trips to suppliers such as B&Q, Screwfix, our near neighbour and supporter, Tesco, and Mackays, where we have a display stand.
Additionally co-workers often assist at events such as our clearance sale and open day, both enhancing their self confidence but also through interacting with the public, further raising the profile of people with learning disabilities. If you would like to visit Phoenix to see our work first hand, please contact us to arrange a visit. We provide taster sessions free of charge.
Student Placements
Phoenix offers placements providing a meaningful experience of work and the development of social and life skills to students from both special and mainstream local schools.
Just as with our adult co-workers, our aim is to provide a safe, welcoming and empowering environment in which students can develop practical work, life and basic skills.
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Our co-workers, both adults and students, are supported at all times by trained staff and volunteers, and have the opportunity to work in all of our three departments.
The benefits of a student work placement are many, and include to:
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understand what it is like to go to work and see the difference between the workplace and school
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find out what employers expect of workers
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interact with people of different ages and abilities
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try a job that interests them
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understand the importance of doing a job properly
The placement also provides the opportunity to develop skills and learn new ones, including:
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trade skills (concrete mixing, carpentry, gardening, catering)
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workplace skills (health and safety, working as a team)
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life skills (cooking, independent travel )
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basic skills (numeracy, literacy and IT)
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We pride ourselves on working in partnership with schools and colleges, developing placements that are flexible and meet both school and individual needs. Although students are supported by experienced staff, support workers are welcome if required and supplied by school. If you would like to visit Phoenix to see our work first hand, please contact us - parents are also welcome to visit and we provide taster sessions to students, free of charge.