Phoenix is a charity and social enterprise based in Milton on the outskirts of Cambridge.
It delivers a meaningful experience of work and the development of social and life skills to people with learning disabilities or complex needs and supports 12 co-workers a day.
They work in one of its three areas of operation: a concrete factory making paving and ornaments; a woodshed that upcycles donated pallets into garden products; and a kitchen that prepares lunches for the team, bakes cakes for sale and also provides event catering.
The charity purchased its first van earlier this year to bring control of its deliveries in-house, and to help spread the word about its activities.
Thetford-based Ambient Media 360 provided the graphics free of charge, with owner Mark Harrington carrying out the fitting at Create Signs in Waterbeach – the two firms having worked closely together over the years.
Harrington is a third-generation printer, with his grandfather and father both starting off as engravers.
He commented: “I’m happy to support Phoenix in its mission. My daughter has Down’s, so I really appreciate the work it does supporting people with learning disabilities and complex needs.
“What the guys do there is amazing.”
Phoenix Trust manager Jude Tustian said: “Having the van branded is a wonderful way to publicise our mission and products as we deliver the goods our co-workers make.
“As a small charity the kind support of Ambient Media 360 made that possible.”
The graphics were printed on Avery Dennison 700 Premium Film using a Graphtec Cutting Plotter Pro FC9000-160.
Ambient Media 360’s services including design, supply, installation, project management and contract work for a wide range of signs and graphics.
There is an additional print connection to the story as former Printweek journalist Barney Cox is now a senior support worker at Phoenix.
As well as raising funds through sales of its products, the charity also has a JustGiving page for donations, and has charity Christmas cards available. Its site is open to the public Monday-Friday.
