Funding for creative wellbeing projects

Two organisations supporting the wellbeing of local young people through creativity have been selected to receive funding from Suffolk.

Room4 Haverhill Community Interest Company will receive a £1,000 Community Champions donation, with £900 going to the Great Cornard based Offshoot Foundation.

Ian Hamilton, managing director of Suffolk, said: “Young people have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic, with disruption to schooling and many of their regular activities cancelled. We are proud to assist two worthwhile local projects which aim to deliver practical help to support their wellbeing and resilience.”

The Offshoot Foundation is a registered charity providing film education and training to disadvantaged young people aged from nine. Many former students have gone on to work in the TV and film industry and return as mentors. The donation from Persimmon will help to fund filmmaking workshops at Chantry Library, allowing the youngsters to learn new skills, develop teamwork, increase their confidence and raise self-esteem. To find out more about the charity’s work, visit www.theoffshootfoundation.com

Haverhill’s Room4 delivers trauma recovery therapeutic interventions to young people aged between 8-25 who have experienced childhood adversity. The not-for-profit community interest company focuses particularly on those who are at risk of exclusion from school or susceptible to exploitation. Persimmon’s funding will provide free creative therapeutic sessions for young people in the community who would otherwise be unable to access this support. For more information visit www.room4.org

Persimmon Suffolk, based in Great Blakenham, provides financial support for two local charities and good causes each month, through its Community Champions programme.

Ian Hamilton added: “There are so many grassroots organisations helping to make a genuine difference to the people living in Suffolk, so we would encourage schools, sports clubs, small charities and voluntary groups to complete the simple online application form at www.persimmonhomes.com/charity to be in with a chance of securing £1,000 of funding for their own projects.”