On one of the rainiest days of 2024, the Certas Energy marketing team took on the weather for a great cause: supporting the local community by helping out Domestic Abuse charity, Phoenix Rising, based at Cross Lane United Church in Newton-le-Willows. The day was spent pruning, weeding, planting, and sprucing up the church’s community garden, giving the space some much-needed TLC.
Even with the downpour, the team stayed in good spirits, knowing their hard work was going towards an organisation making a real difference for survivors of domestic abuse. Phoenix Rising, founded in 2021, provides essential support to those affected by domestic violence in the Newton-Le-Willows area. The charity is run by survivors themselves, who understand the gaps in the system that many victims experience.
Phoenix Rising: A Survivor-Led Initiative
Phoenix Rising was created by domestic abuse survivors who turned their tough experiences into a mission to help others. They offer support groups, healing programs, and even training and development opportunities.
Earlier this year, Phoenix Rising also launched a surplus food share programme. This project isn’t just for domestic abuse survivors – it’s open to anyone in the community wanting to help reduce food waste. They collect surplus food from local places and share it with people in need, especially those struggling with the ongoing economic challenges.
In fact, the programme’s impact goes beyond just feeding individuals and families – it also helps relieve some of the pressures that contribute to domestic abuse situations. Financial stress is often a key factor in abusive environments and alleviating that pressure can be an essential step towards healing.
Additional Projects: Clothing Recycling and Community Gardens
Along with their support groups and food share scheme, Phoenix Rising runs several other community initiatives. These include a clothing recycling project, where donations are redistributed to those in need, and a community garden, which is used for partnership projects focused on healing and wellbeing.
The community garden – where the Certas Energy Marketing team leant their efforts – serves as a space for recovery, providing a peaceful environment for people to heal. Through their hard work, our volunteers helped ensure that the garden remains a welcoming, calming place for all who visit, and they even enjoyed a spot of lunch and homemade cake from the church’s onsite café after their efforts!
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Teamwork for a Great Cause
Despite the rain, it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the team. Their dedication to volunteering highlights the importance of supporting key community services, especially those dealing with sensitive issues like domestic abuse. As the Certas Energy team showed, even a rainy day can be brightened when people come together for a good cause!
