A community hub that is ever-evolving to meet the needs of families and individuals in March has welcomed a boost from the East Midlands business.

The team made a donation of £2,700 to FACT Community Transport, based in Martin Avenue in the market town to buy a lathe for their Make and Mend shed.

The charity originally offered transport services and lunch clubs for the elderly but has grown into an invaluable community hub supporting those who need it. They run a food bank that feeds hundreds of households each year who are struggling with rising food costs while also reducing food waste.

The site is also home to the Make and Mend Shed, which offers a space for those who may be struggling with loneliness and isolation to go and be creative. They can have a chat, learn new skills and make items that can be sold, with the profits reinvested back into the community hub.

With a new lathe now on order, the group can take on more ambitious woodworking projects and broaden the range of items they create.

The donation was awarded through our Community Champions scheme, which provides funding to charities, voluntary organisations and community groups making a positive difference in the areas in which they are building.

Ben Purdy, Technical Director at Persimmon Homes East Midlands, said:

“As our new development comes on-line here in March, FACT will be providing a community bus service to support new and existing residents which will be funded through developer contributions. However, they are so much more than a transport service.

“The Make and Mend Shed is a fantastic initiative because it combines practical skills, friendship and wellbeing, while also helping to reduce waste. We are delighted to support the purchase of a new lathe and look forward to seeing the positive impact it has on the project and the wider community.”

Mark Oakerbee, Community Development Officer at FACT Community Transport, said:

“We are incredibly grateful to Persimmon Homes East Midlands for this generous donation. The Make and Mend Shed has become much more than a workshop. It gives people a place to meet, share skills and support one another.

“The new lathe will open up many more opportunities for our volunteers, helping them create quality items that can be sold to generate much-needed income for the charity while also making use of materials that might otherwise go to waste.”

Support like this helps us continue delivering the wide range of community services that local people rely on every day.

FACT's work now extends far beyond community transport, with services including lunch clubs, a community pantry and emergency food support, making it a true hub at the heart of the local community.