Always on
This project successfully funded on 13th May 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
20:20 Vision
Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom
Aim
To celebrate 20 years of the Phoenix Centre we are launching a new campaign- we aim to raise £20,000 and recruit 20 new volunteers.
February 2026 marks the Phoenix Centre's 20th anniversary- and what a journey it has been!!
Introduction
The Mile Cross Phoenix Projects CIO (formerly known as Mile Cross Phoenix Children’s Project) is a community-led charity based at the Phoenix Centre in Mile Cross, Norwich. It provides a centre for education, recreation, and social activities. Offering services such as a community café, social supermarket, food bank, and free family activities and packed lunches in the school holidays. The centre also has rooms for public and private hire.
The charity focuses on alleviating deprivation by fostering community engagement and support. ‘Our aim is to provide a safe and welcoming space for our community. We want everyone to feel accepted, included and respected.’ – Chrissy Brighmore, Centre Manager.
History
The origins of the Mile Cross Phoenix Children’s Project trace back to the mid-1980’s. The estate was designed in the 1930’s as a “garden suburb” to replace slums, but by the 1980’s, it faced issues such as limited youth facilities. Local parents, concerned about the lack of leisure and social opportunities for children and young people, began campaigning in 1985 for a dedicated youth centre.
They approached Norfolk County Council’s Youth and Community Services (NYCS) to advocate for facilities in the area. Their efforts paid off in 1988 with the official opening of the first Phoenix Centre, initially housed in temporary porta-cabins on Peterson Road. The centre quickly became a vital hub for local children and youths. However, in May 1998, severe government funding cuts forced NYCS to close over 30 youth centres across Norfolk, including the Phoenix Centre.
This closure alarmed residents, prompting parents to mobilize again. They formed a volunteer group called the Mile Cross Phoenix Children’s Project to negotiate community management of the facility. A fundraising campaign ensued, alongside formal requests to NYCS. By August 1998, an agreement was reached to transfer management to the community.
In November 1999, the project was registered as a charity under a Deed of Trust, with a board of trustees becoming the official leaseholders. Under community leadership, the project expanded its offerings, introducing new activities and groups to better serve local needs. By the early 2000’s, the porta-cabins were outdated, leading to a nine-year campaign for a permanent relocation. Volunteers raised £500,000 through persistent fundraising efforts, enabling the purchase and refurbishment of a former Baptist church on Mile Cross Road. The centre moved to this new site in 2006, marking a significant upgrade and solidifying its role in the community. However, a major setback occurred in December 2012, when an arson attack severely damaged the centre, causing approximately £100,000 in damage. Two 15-year-old boys were arrested the next day and charged with arson.
Once again, the community rallied together, and with donations from local businesses and residents; and with the help of volunteers from BT- restorations began. It took time, but the Phoenix rose from the ashes- providing youth clubs, playschemes, and a community café, among other services.
In 2020, when the pandemic hit, the centre was forced to close all operations. However, in 2021, the centre reopened its doors and began offering emergency food provisions- but the aftermath of COVID, and the cost-of-living crisis threatened the centre’s future- volunteers become scarce, and funding became harder to find. In September 2023, Chairperson Chrissie Rumsby announced a warning that the centre was “weeks away” from collapse, leading to an emergency meeting. A fundraising drive raised £20,000, and a further £95,000 was donated by Cadent- making the Phoenix Centre ‘a centre for warmth’- and saving it from closure.
In February 2024, the project transitioned to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) status, aiming to modernize governance and improve sustainability. Currently, the Phoenix Centre continues to operate as a vital community hub, under a new board of Trustees, and with a diverse group of dedicated staff members and volunteers- and working alongside organisations such Read Easy, Adult Learning, Assist Trust, and The Zainab Project. No major updates or incidents have been reported since early 2024, indicating stability amid economic challenges.
While we continue to provide vital services to the residents of Mile Cross, and the wider area, we still need your help! Our beautiful building, which was once a Baptist church, is need of repair and refurbishment. Therefore we are launching our new 20:20 Vision fundraising campaign! We will be holding various events throughout the year, we will be applying for funding, and we have set up this page- all in aid of raising a total of £20,000. We are also looking to recruit up to 20 new volunteers. The funding and volunteers will help us to improve our beloved community centre, and improve our services. Anything you can donate is greatly appreciated!
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made