As 77-year-old Sybil Phoenix MBE sits with her needlework on her lap and glasses on her nose your first impression may be of a kindly grandmother, but this remarkable Brockley woman has changed the lives of hundreds of homeless young women. HEATHER RAMSDEN spoke to this pillar of the community to mark Black History Month.

Founder of the Marsha Phoenix Memorial Trust, Sybil was born in British Guyana in 1927 and began her community work as a young girl there when she helped out in a youth club while still going to school.

She arrived in England in 1956 but she was shocked when she discovered the problems facing black immigrants.

She says: "As I walked the streets of London my illusions were brutally challenged. I was looking for a room, but most noticeboards proclaimed: No Irish, No coloureds, No children, No dogs." It eventually became clear to Sybil the only solution would be to buy a house of her own and after managing to scrape together money for a deposit she finally acquired her own home.

In her book Willing Hands, Sybil, a devoted Christian, says once she secured her home, she began to notice the "unspoken pleas" for warmth and kindness from people around her.

And this was how she became a foster mother. "First I took one child, then another. Soon my home and my life were full with children," she says.

She started the Moonshot youth club in Telegraph Hill focussing on the needs of black youths for whom she says, there was nowhere to turn in the early 60s.

Then after working tirelessly with children for 10 years, Sybil, also known as Mrs P or Auntie Sybil, was made an MBE in 1972. She recalls: "I did not know what is was but the reporter said I would get a medal. I said I would trade it in in exchange for a house for my foster children, a full linen cupboard and a wardrobe full of girls clothes in case a girl was brought to my doorstep."

The next morning Sybil, who had fostered more than 100 children by then, woke up to the headline: "Slightly used MBE for sale or exchange ..."

But Lewisham's mayor persuaded her to accept the honour, promising to help her get the house she dreamed of.

This signalled the birth of the Marsha Phoenix Memorial Trust established by Sybil and husband Joseph in 1979 in memory of their daughter Marsha who died in a car accident.

The 20-bed house, in Brockley, is two three-storey Edwardian houses converted into one and provides a home for homeless young women, who are excluded from their parental homes.

Now in its 25th year, the home has steered more than 1,500 young women onto the right path. Sybil says the project aims to help young women by providing a safe, nurturing and supportive environment for them to learn and develop skills needed to help lead an independent life.

Young women aged between 16 and 24 years stay there and where possible they are encouraged to rebuild relationships with their families.

The home runs educational classes such as Art, IT, Maths, English needlecraft, and pottery, it has a dark room and a computer room. All teachers are provided by Lewisham College.

Sybil says: "I believe without education, it is difficult for young people to take their rightful place in society. Young women need first to be loved and cared for, but secondly to be educated."

Sybil's only regret is struggling to raise money to keep the house to the standards she likes it."

But, she concedes there are also rewards. She says: "Over the last few years three girls went to university. I fight to get them into school and college. All the girls are encouraged to participate in the in-house classes which help them with what they'll do in college. The project's ethos is very educationally orientated. I don't just put a roof over their heads."

But Sybil's work in the community is not confined to the Marsha Phoenix Memorial Trust as she is constantly involving her neighbours in the activities surrounding the house.

She takes her neighbours as guests to functions at the House of Lords. She is a fellow of Goldsmiths College, and takes guests there as well as hosts an Annual Memorial Lecture at the university.

Sybil's community contribution was never more keenly felt than in 1981 when a fire in Deptford led to the deaths of 13 young black people. She acted as a liaison between the police and families and was a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on and a financial support.

She accompanied some parents on the horrendous task of identifying the bodies of their children and her home became a haven to some families.

Given her history it's not surprising this tenacious woman has earned an MBE, the Freedom of the City of London and the Borough of Lewisham.

And, at 77, Sybil is still actively fundraising. Her latest venture is a Grand Auction at Lewisham College on October 21. Contact her on 020 8691 5911 for information or to make a donation.