We are thrilled to announce that we have been honoured with the prestigious Scottish Charity Award for the Campaign of the Year 2023! The award ceremony, held on the 23rd of June 2023 in Edinburgh, recognized and celebrated outstanding charitable efforts across Scotland.

The Campaign of the Year award was presented to Feniks in recognition of our impactful campaign ‘’Shed Your Armour, Show the Scars’’. It focused on the issue of mental health stigma and attitudes to help seeking, which contribute to high suicide rate among Polish men in Scotland. By using armour as a symbol of an emotional shield, it encouraged men to seek support. Led in October 2022 by Community Ambassadors with lived experience, the 4-week campaign engaged 20,000 Polish people in Scotland and received positive feedback from the community and news outlets. It was the first-ever campaign worldwide addressing the problem of suicide among Polish men, making it a groundbreaking and impactful initiative.

Over the course of the campaign, Feniks and our partners from See Me Scotland, worked tirelessly to raise awareness, engage with diverse audiences, and foster positive change in society. Our team collaborated with local organisations and volunteers to provide comprehensive resources to those in need. By leveraging technology and social media, we effectively reached out to a wide range of individuals, ensuring our message reached even the most remote communities in Scotland.

‘’The award is the culmination of many years of work by the entire Feniks team to raise awareness about mental health and barriers to accessing help in Scotland. The problems of Polish people, as an ethnic group, are often overlooked and this award will help to shed some light on our needs’’, said Magda Czarnecka, Feniks CEO.

“We are extremely grateful to the Scottish Charity Awards and the SCVO for this recognition and for creating a platform that will give the campaign broader outreach. This award does not only highlight the message of ‘Shed Your Armor, Show The Scars’, but also the importance of inclusivity and representation within the charity sector.

We would like to express our sincerest thanks to our employees, volunteers, board members and everyone who contributed to the success of this campaign. Your faith in our purpose and continued support have been instrumental in achieving this award.’’

The impact of Feniks’ campaign has been profound, touching the lives of Polish people in Scotland and driving positive change in the community we serve. By fostering open conversations, breaking down barriers, and providing vital support, we have contributed to building a more inclusive and compassionate society.

“We are incredibly humbled and honoured to receive the Scottish Charity Award for the Campaign of the Year. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and commitment of the Community Ambassadors, who were willing to selflessly give their time and share personal experiences to help others. It reflects the collective efforts to make a difference in the lives of our community, here in Scotland.” said Marlena Mkony, Polish Social Movement Coordinator at Feniks.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the Scottish Charity Awards panel of judges and the entire charitable sector in Scotland for this esteemed recognition. This award invigorates us to continue our mission with renewed energy, knowing that our efforts are making a real difference.

For more information about our campaign, and the vital work we do, please visit our webpage.

Event information on SCVO website.