Oxfordshire Youth awarded £1,000 by Persimmon Homes

Oxfordshire Youth has been awarded a £1,000 grant by Persimmon Homes Wessex through its successful Community Champions scheme that supports community groups and charities.

The youth group started over seventy years ago and currently helps 98 of Oxfordshire’s most vulnerably housed young people.

These includes those who are homeless, those who are refugees and asylum seekers, and those from 'difficult backgrounds'.

Cathy Talbot, corporate fundraising manager, said: “We’re delighted to accept this generous donation from Persimmon Homes.

“Young people need access to safe spaces and trusting relationships, where they can be themselves, make friends, develop new skills and make positive changes to their lives and their communities.

“We believe that informal education, youth work and non-formal learning is essential to improving young people’s quality of life. Our progression coaches work with them to prepare for independent living.”

The last year has been difficult for charities across the UK and it is no different for Oxfordshire Youth, with many of their events cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions.

Cathy added: “It’s been great organising fundraising campaigns again. It’s crucial that we start raising money to continue running this programme and we’ve also been launching donation appeals to source useful household items.

“Thanks to Persimmon we can make these vulnerable young people happier during the pandemic.”

Pauline Fletcher, sales director at Persimmon Homes Wessex, said: “We’re delighted to help Oxfordshire Youth continue its fantastic work in the local community.

“We’re committed to helping young people fulfil their potential and hopefully this donation can go a long way towards proving them with key life skills.

“Recent months have been extremely challenging for everyone so if we can provide some light at the end of the tunnel then that would be amazing.”