By Mick Cooper | Founder of Phoenix Inspire
Good morning to everyone
Thank you for your continued support, motivation and finincial aid given to our work here in the Vidin region. It is greatly appreciated and needed.
Since January 1st I have been focused on the creation of The Masters' Larder (TML), a second social enterprise linked to the work of Phoenix Inspire. After weeks of frustration repairs, renovations and improvements we are almost complete. We are now busy creating the necessary HACCP paper work to comply with the Food and Hygiene Agency and the local Municipality. Hopefully, we will have our licenses from both organisations within the next few weeks. Creating TML has been a frustrating and painful process, emotionally and financially.
Based upon a recent visit by a representative of GlobalGiving it was agreed that I combine both our current projects into one. With this in mind future support will be used to help both Phoenix Cafe and Bakery and The Masters' Larder. Here on the ground in Vidin they are in reality already working together. TML will prepare the meat filling that Phoenix Cafe and Bakery (PC&B) will use to make and bake a range of savoury meat pie. Likewise, TML will sell PC&B's products in its shop. I think you call this synergy?!
By working in harmony both organisations have a better chance of sustainability, create more opportunities and be more efficient. The Masters' Larder already has interested customers from the capital Sofia. When the refrigerated van delivers products to Sofia it may also take some products from PC&B too. Maximising our efforts will lead to more jobs.
It is possible that members of staff from one social enterprise could transfer and work in the other thereby broadening their skills and in doing so increase their opportunities for future employment.
We have already identified two member of staff for TML. Bobby will be in the back with me learning how to prepare the meats whilst Svetla will be in the shop serving our customers. Bobby is from the Roma community and a member of the English language group that I support and guide along with Christine. Bobby is unemployed with a family. He is keen to learn. Svetla is currently on some sort of government work programme. Unfortunately, this programme is just window dressing. Like Bobby Svetla is keen to begin a new career with us. If you combine these two with Pavlina at PC&B you are/will be supporting 3 people and helping to create two social enterprise.
The long term vision? If possible, I would like to fulfil my ambition of creating a new training centre. The 'applied learning centre will be a new vision for Bulgaria. If created it would 'shake things up' and change the way vocational education is carried out in a country.
On that note I hope that you approve of recent developments regarding our project and continue to support our efforts here in Vidin.
Thank you and I look forward to posting more information regarding our progress in the near future
Best wishes
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