Persimmon donation for Bristol men sheds

A Bristol branch of the Men in Sheds organisation has received a £1,000 boost from Persimmon Severn Valley.

Persimmon Homes Severn Valley presented the cheque to Downend Men in Sheds at their workshop near Emersons Green as part of their Community Champions scheme.

Men in Sheds provides a space for older individuals to socialise whilst working together on small construction projects and community initiatives. The Downend branch has been operating for the last 10 years, though the wider Men in Sheds organisation has been running since the 1980s. Downend’s youngest member is 58 whilst its oldest is 86.

Those at the Downend branch told Persimmon their recent projects – which serve the local community at a discounted price – include book-swap libraries, notice boards, planters, and mud kitchens for primary schools. Persimmon were also delighted to receive a home-made desk ornament as a thank you gift for the donation.

Persimmon donates £700,000 each year to good causes and much-valued organisations across Britain as part of the Community Champions programme. Recent local recipients include Bristol Normandy Veterans and Bristol Baby Bank Network.

The region has sites across the Severn Valley including at Beaufort Park in Fishpool Hill to the north-west of Bristol. Two, three, and four-bed homes are available at the popular development from £325,000.

Commenting, Persimmon Homes Severn Valley Sales Director Carly Spear, said:

“Persimmon loves using our Community Champions pot to help local groups, especially those that go on to help others as well, so we are delighted to have been able to support Downend Men in Sheds through this donation.

“Everyone will go through some struggles in life, and older men are no exception, which is why the increasing popularity of Men in Sheds over the decades has been so positive.

“They are great resource in local communities, including where we have built in recent years, and therefore are worthy winners of the scheme.”

David Alcock from Downend Men in Sheds, added:

“The timely and welcome donation from Persimmon has gone a long way in enabling us, as a group, to meet the challenges of having to relocate to new premises.

“Once our move is complete, we will be able to extend our membership and provide another source of help for more individuals who might otherwise find themselves in a somewhat isolated space. So, Downend Men in Sheds can’t thank Persimmon enough.”