Bank staff help out Swindon mental health charity

By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk

A team from NatWest came to Swindon’s Phoenix Enterprises and worked alongside clients.

Based in Swindon’s Elgin Industrial Estate, Phoenix Enterprises helps around 100 vulnerable adults in Swindon each year.

Through working in their warehouse, people gain self-esteem, confidence and skills, with many going on to secure paid work.

NatWest have a policy of encouraging their staff to volunteer and get involved in the local community, and sent 28 staff to help out.

Phoenix Enterprises CEO Clare McDougall said: “Phoenix Enterprises is all about helping people with mental health issues and learning disabilities.

“They are referred to us by the council, by GPs or by word of mouth.

“Everyone here is facing additional challenges in their life, with most coming from disadvantaged financial backgrounds.

“In spite of their challenges, these are some of the hardest working people you will ever come across.”

The volunteering session, involving assembling packaging, was arranged by Kelly Roberts, deputy manager at the bank’s Swindon branch.

She said: “We were all so impressed by the people who benefit from Phoenix’s services. They all want to work, they want to feel included in society and contribute, just like everybody else.”

More vital supplies sent from Swindon to embattled Ukraine

Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership continues to send crucial aid to Ukraine as the Russian invasion and occupation enters its second year.

In one of the latest missions, volunteers Natalya and Kelly, pictured, safely delivered a vanload of supplies and the van itself to a Ukrainian charity.

The long journey included overnight stops in Germany and Poland.

Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership chair Mike Bowden said: “ It is humbling to witness the incredible commitment and courage shown by Kelly and Natalya.

“They set the standard for the rest of us to follow. We will not match them but will do our very best to ensure the tragedy of so many Ukrainians stays in the public eye and that much needed aid continues to pour into their devastated country.“

In a remarkable coincidence, while the two volunteers were in Kiev, which has a population of 3m, their van was spotted by a local woman, Victoria, who had come to the Swindon area as a refugee last year and been helped by

Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership.

Victoria was able to return to her homeland, where she lives with her husband, after the Swindon organisation helped her son, Denys, to secure a university place.

Shortly after she returned, her apartment had its windows blown out by a Russian missile strike.