The Phoenix Way: Partners

The Phoenix Way, led by The Ubele Initiative and supported by Global Fund for Children, is a grant-making initiative aimed at transforming Black and racially minoritised communities. It was established in partnership with six Regional Leads and with the support of several new UK funders, including The Youth Endowment Fund and the Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales.

Learn more about a few of the Phoenix Way grantees. You can find the full list of grantees below.

Goals 4 Girls

Goals 4 Girls (G4G) is an East London-based grassroots organisation that seeks to raise the aspirations of young women and girls aged 11-16 within some of the UK’s most marginalised communities. They aspire to break down social, cultural, and economic barriers so that young women and girls can dream without limitations. Everything that the all-female staff team delivers – from the classroom to the pitch and from wellbeing workshops to reward trips – has been designed for the girls, by the girls.

Their flagship mentoring program connects girls to personal growth and development opportunities, supporting them to expand their career interests whilst encouraging realistic steps to help them achieve their personal goals. Their Football Coaches and Therapeutic Sports Mentors marry a deep personal understanding of the communities their young women and girls live in with lived experiences and the highest level of coaching, therapeutic training, and qualifications.

A Phoenix Way partner event in 2023. © GFC

Anansi Theatre Company

Anansi Theatre Company aspires to empower and inspire the next generation of girls of colour, using creativity and art to facilitate open conversations around mental health, physical wellbeing, and the impact of gender-based violence. A theatre company run by and for girls and young women of colour, Anansi provides services to a wide range to children and youth in Derby and throughout the East Midlands.

Their core aim is to create and resource safe spaces where they can actively boost the self-esteem of girls and young women of colour. The organisation uses creative activities and the arts to emphasise the importance of confidence, self-belief, and the maintenance of good physical health and wellbeing. Alongside their diverse creative arts provision, Anansi provide workshops that have been designed in partnership with girls and young women. Recent workshops included sessions on African drumming and mindfulness and meditation practices to promote positive mental health.

Black Ethnic Skills & Training Initiatives

Black Ethnic Skills & Training Initiatives (BEST) began as a grassroots organisation led by and for the African diaspora community in Newcastle and the Northeast. Across the last 10 years, BEST Initiatives have provided support for disadvantaged children and young people from Black and Racially Minoritized communities. They provide a range of support to the children and youth they engage – from after-school homework assistance to career workshops. Their approach seeks to instill values of professionalism and they provide intensive tailored support around educational progression and preparation for exams.

BEST delivers all of its work in partnership – they collaborate with schools, community centers, outreach programs, local councils, and a wide range of other organizations active in the local area. BEST programs seek to provide career opportunities, such as skills training and job interview preparation to enhance employability. These initiatives also play a critical role in promoting community cohesion, whilst celebrating the cultures of all the communities in the local area.

Participants at the Phoenix Way partner event. © GFC

Anima Youth

Anima Youth works with marginalised girls and young women aged 13-25 in London and the Southeast, supporting them to navigate the range of challenges they face as they transition to adulthood. As a youth-led organisation, they work to build resilience, gain employment opportunities, and ensure steady progress from full-time education into independent life and a fulfilling career.

They have a specialist focus on working with girls who are at risk of sexual exploitation and violence, providing them with support and guidance to help keep them safe through their flagship ‘Big Sis, Lil Sis’ Mentoring Project. The core of the program revolves around matching girls with volunteer Big Sis mentors who are relatable and share a similar social and cultural background. They also have an initiative called “With Love, Anima – Wellbeing & Sanitary Box,” which originated from a Period Poverty campaign and was launched during the pandemic to provide support to girls and young women aged 13-23 living in some of the most deprived areas of London.

          Phoenix Way Grantees