A charity supporting children across Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire is set to benefit from a funding boost thanks to a community initiative.

PLUS (Forth Valley) will receive £1,000 from the Persimmon Homes Community Champions fund, established to provide financial support to charities, organisations and good causes across the region.

The group, which supports children and young people with varying disabilities including Autism, Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy and Cerebral Palsy to name just a few, delivers a range of social and leisure activities that encourage interaction with peers, reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness. 

Laura Kearney at PLUS (Forth Valley), said: “We are thrilled to receive this kind donation from Persimmon Homes and plan to put the money towards the ongoing training for our staff.

“We believe that every child and young person has the right to play and have access to social and leisure opportunities. We have supported children, young people and young adults, and their families, for over 30 years. The need for our services has been exacerbated by the pandemic and we are providing even more training to ensure our services are delivered safely and as risk free as possible. This award of funding will be a great help towards these costs. 

“Our different projects all provide support, fun and a range of activities for children and young people with a disability or additional support needs. As well as providing 1-1 support, we provide a number of group activities. These sessions help young people living with disabilities meet peers, have the opportunity to make new friends, build confidence and enjoy time away from their parents or carers.  Coming to PLUS helps reduce loneliness and isolation and really does help them to cope with their disability. On behalf of all the children we support we would like to thank Persimmon.” 

Laura Still, sales and marketing director at Persimmon Homes East Scotland, based in Bathgate, said: “Breaking down barriers that ensure that children with disabilities are able to lead a similar life to their non-disabled peers is exactly the type of charity that our Community Champions initiative was set up to support and we are delighted to help with funding.”