Paul Rowe

Our second Peter Scott Award for Outstanding Contribution to Charity shines a light on Paul Rowe and his 12 years plus of managing The Phoenix Youth Project. We wanted to recognise his fundraising achievements and his dedication to providing community based self-development opportunities for young people living in some of the most disadvantaged parts of Copeland.

Paul has been instrumental in raising over one and a half million pounds to ensure The Project gives young people a safe and friendly environment in which to socialise as well as a place to be meaningfully occupied. This vital youth work supports the development of young people to achieve their physical, intellectual, social and personal potential.

Working with 8-19 years old, in youth centres at Cleator Moor, Frizington and Moor Row, Paul oversees the area’s only team to provide a youth service. Each year they come into contact with over 500 different young people, seeing about 150 on a regular week to week basis.

Paul is also a volunteer panel member on the Cumbria Community Foundation’s West Cumbria Grants Panel. He brings knowledge and experience of working with young people in the area to help with decision-making on the allocation of Foundation funds.

Paul asked the young people at The Phoenix Youth Project what he should do with his £2,500 award grant. The answer was game tables – including football, pool and table tennis for each centre.