Business Students Gain Insight into the Charity Sector with Phoenix Milton 

Business students recently welcomed Alison Rowbotham, Deputy Manager and Co‑worker Placement Manager at Phoenix Milton, who delivered an engaging and informative talk about running a small business within the charity sector providing insights into the world of work.  

Alison introduced students to Phoenix Milton’s unique model as a Charity and social enterprise, where profits are reinvested directly back into the charity. Phoenix aims to support people with learning disabilities or who are neurodiverse to gain work experience, develop life skills and transition into further volunteering opportunities or paid employment. 

During the session, students learned about how a charity is administered alongside commercial operations, including: 

• Managing and motivating a volunteer workforce 
• Balancing multiple roles within a small organisation 
• Attracting partner organisations and funding 
• Promoting the charity’s work through effective marketing 
• The importance of product innovation and customer engagement. 

Alison discussed the realities of working in a small charity business, where staff often wear many hats and adaptability is essential. Phoenix Milton demonstrates this flexibility through its diverse activities, including the manufacture of garden furniture – including paving slabs – and a thriving catering business. Based on the trading estate adjacent to Milton Country Park, the charity is an active and welcoming part of the local community. 

Drawing on her background in education and training, including her work as a trained SENCO, Alison explained how her previous experience enables her to make a meaningful difference to the lives of young people locally. Her career journey offered students valuable insight into how professional skills can be transferred into the third sector. 

The talk also marked a growing partnership between the college and Phoenix Milton. Over the past few months, lecturers have been developing a strong working relationship with the charity, which has already led to exciting opportunities. Phoenix Milton will now be offering two work experience placements for Level 3 Business Year 1 students and Business students will also be supporting the charity with the development of its marketing, gaining hands-on experience within a real-world context. 

Course tutor Camilla Carter highlighted the value of the partnership: 

“Working with partners like Phoenix is invaluable. Building relationships with the businesses on our doorstep is beneficial to our college and our students. Russ Power and myself visited the premises at Phoenix and were warmly welcomed. We learnt what the business does and we also met a few of the co-workers, including one of our students currently studying Business & Travel. From this visit, we have created meetings and discovered new opportunities to work together and open placements for work experience for our students.” 

The visit and subsequent talk have strengthened links between the college and Phoenix Milton, offering students meaningful exposure to the charity sector, social enterprise and real‑world business challenges; all while supporting a local organisation that is making a positive difference in the community.