A Peterborough charity promoting and aiding mental well being has received a cash injection from Persimmon Homes.

PoetsIN, based in the Peterborough Eco Innovation Centre, has been handed £1,000 from Persimmon Homes East Midland’s Community Champions fund.

The charity aims to break down the stigma attached to mental health by recognising the difference between emotions and mental illness and providing tools to manage mental health.

Persimmon Home national match-funding programme Community Champions seeks to support groups and charities working to improve the quality of life for local people.

Paul Chambers, for PoetsIN, said: “The workshops cater for children, young people and adults alike, with impressive results.”

“Since PoetsIN began, 99 per cent of our workshop attendees have reported a reduction in depression and anxiety symptoms. In addition, 96 per cent of our online members report feeling more in control of coping strategies as a result of being a group member.

“We are raising money to enable us to offer free or subsidised workshops to schools and communities lacking funds and are grateful to Persimmon Homes East Midlands for the support.”

Nova Eames, sales and marketing director at Persimmon Homes North East, said: “This charity has a large impact on the lives of its clients and their families and we’re thrilled to hand over £1,000 funding to PoetsIN, especially as it will be put to such good use.”

“Persimmon Homes East Midlands has had a fantastic response to its Community Champions scheme and it is always a tricky task to pick our winners each month.”

“If applicants were unsuccessful last month, we urge them to visit the Persimmon Homes website and to try again and hopefully they will become our next Community Champion. We are always keen to support the communities in which we build.”

Organisations can apply for funding by completing a simple online form at www.persimmonhomes.com/charity

Each month the Peterborough-based builder donates up to £2,000 to community groups across the region. This also happens across Persimmon’s other 31 operating areas, meaning up to £64,000 is dished out every single month – a total of £768,000 a year.

Nova added: “If people were unsuccessful last month, we urge them to visit the Persimmon Homes website and to try again and hopefully they will become our next Community Champion.” Visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity to apply for funding.