Who We Are
In 2011, PHOLK (Promoting Happiness, Overcoming Loneliness with Kindness) started which is a charity for adults with and without disabilities to come together on equal terms by going out into the community. The charity club is run fortnightly on a Wednesday evening for a couple of hours, as well as the occasional days out on a weekend and respite weekends away. Through the growth of this charity, we realised there isn’t enough day services for our members to go to. There were a lot who would spend all day at home doing nothing which is what we wanted to change.
Pholk Care Ltd was established by Sophie Alderton who realised there was not enough day services for adults with disabilities in the area when growing up with a sister with learning disabilities and running Pholk Charity. Since the young age of 12, Sophie always had a dream to start a day service to cater for different needs. In October 2019, Pholk Care Ltd started out in the community.
Feedback
"My daughter always has a big smile on her face when she comes home from being out with Pholk Care"
"My confidence has been improved a lot by being able to go out into the community and interacting within society. I have been able to try new activities and go to places I would never have had the opportunity to go to without this service"
"I no longer get lonely as I have made friends and been able to gain lots more social skills"
Sophie Alderton
Founding Director‘I really enjoy helping people’
I have been the director of PHOLK charity since February 2017. My work involves organising weekly activities and holidays, supporting members out in the community doing a variety of different activities and also being first point of contact for parents/carers. I have also been the leader of the group and supported members on days out and weekends away to Disneyland Paris and Pontins.
Alongside this role, I have been working in support work and care for the past 6 years giving 1-1 and group support to people with a variety of different needs.
I have been nominated for a number of awards for all the work I have done in the community and for my charity PHOLK:
- Gold Award Citizen of Southend 2017
- National Rotary Young Citizen of the Year Award 2019
- Rotary District 1240 Peter Dowse Young Achievers Award
- Rotary Young Citizen Award
Staff
Sue
Support Worker‘A helping hand can go a long way’
Hannah
Support Worker‘I like to put smiles on other people’s faces’
Abbie
Support Worker
Stewart
Support Worker‘I really enjoy helping people reach their full potential’
