A group promoting an understanding of mental health and wellbeing among children and young people in Devon is the first to be awarded £1,000 from Persimmon Homes South West’s Building Futures fund.

HeadsUP Mental Health Awareness CIC, based in Exeter, will receive £1,000 from the initiative, launched in partnership with Team GB, the British Olympic Association.

The group works with children and young people, promoting understanding, raising awareness and breaking down the stigma that surrounds mental health issues. It empowers and equips young people to look after their mental health now and throughout their lives.

The funding will  go towards running free sessions to primary and secondary schools in Devon to build pupils’ self-esteem and resilience.

The Building Futures scheme aims to support community groups working with under-18s across three categories – education & arts, health and sport.

Building Futures is delivered through the Persimmon Charitable Foundation in partnership with Team GB, the British Olympic Association, and the company enlisted the help of Olympic gold medal winning cyclist Dani Rowe to launch the scheme.

Stacey added: “This initiative is a superb way of supporting young people across our communities and I would encourage anyone who is eligible to apply for funding. These sums of money can be life-changing and could make a real difference to the recipients.”

A total of 128 grants of £1,000 will be awarded across Persimmon’s 32 regional businesses to improve local facilities and the delivery of vital community projects.

Three initiatives will go on to win £100,000 each through a national online public vote. The winners will be named at a grand final in November.

In each sector – education & arts, health and sport – as well as the £100,000 first prize, there will be a £50,000 second prize and a £20,000 third prize, while a further 87 shortlisted projects will each receive £5,000.

Applications close at midnight on August 15.

To find out more about Building Futures or to apply visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity/building-futures