Persimmon donation for Cornish dementia group

Persimmon Homes Cornwall & West Devon has donated £1,000 to Saltash Memory Café.

The group, which meets twice a month, at Burraton Methodist Church in the town, were presented with the cheque after applying to the developer’s Community Champions scheme. They were joined by local councillors, Cllr Keith Johnson and Cllr Paul Cador.

The Café, run by MHA Communities Cornwall, provides a vital, friendly, and supportive space for people in Saltash living with dementia, along with their carers. They focus on improving wellbeing, reducing isolation, and strengthening community connections.

Persimmon’s Community Champions initiative sees £700,000 donated each year to good causes and much-valued organisations across Britain each year as part of its commitment to delivering a positive and lasting legacy wherever it builds.

Recent local recipients include the Plymouth Argyle Community Foundation, The Box Museum, St Luke’s Hospice, and Cornwall Air Ambulance.

The accredited five-star builder has two major sites in Plymouth: Palmerston Heights in Derriford and Saltram Meadows in Plymstock. Properties from one-bed flat to four-bed homes are available on these sites from £170,000.

Persimmon recently consulted the public over plans to bring up to 350 new homes to Latchbrook Farm in Saltash ahead of the forthcoming submission of its planning application. The proposals also include significant areas of public open space, children’s play areas, a wildlife nature trail, and housing association properties.

Persimmon Homes Cornwall & West Devon Sales Director Jane Cartwright said:

“Persimmon is determined to leave a positive and lasting legacy where we have a significant presence. Not only do we have that in the form of two sites over the Tamar in Plymouth, but we are also seeking to take on the housing crisis in Saltash too.

“As part our mission to help sustain the good causes and wonderful work of much loved organisations that make Saltash a great place to live, we are delighted that the local Memory Café applied to us for funding and we were able to give them a helping hand.”

Elizabeth Hewer – Locality Manager for MHA Communities Cornwall – added:

“A huge thankyou to Persimmon homes for supporting Saltash Memory Café or, as our members fondly call it, ‘Decaf’. Our aim is to enable people living with memory loss and their carers to live well through creating a welcoming, safe space in their community. 

“We offer opportunities for social interaction, sharing experiences, building connections, learning, access to resources, cognitive and physical activity – all of which contribute to improved emotional and physical wellbeing.

“This generous donation will support us to provide vital support, guidance, and activities that truly make a meaningful difference to everyone who attends.”

Cllr Keith Johnson, Cornwall Councillor for Saltash Tamar, commented:

“The Saltash Memory Café is not just a service, but a lifeline – a place where people living with memory loss are met with dignity, kindness, and understanding, and where carers and families find support, friendship, and a moment of peace.

“I’m very pleased to see this treasured organisation rewarded with funding from the Community Champions pot and commend Persimmon for choosing this most worthy of winners.”

Cllr Paul Cador, Cornwall Councillor for Trematon & Landrake, also said:

“I want to thank Persimmon for their donation to Saltash Memory Café which I know will go a long way in helping them maintain their brilliant offer to people in the community.

“I was heartened to see the popularity of the Café and its work in action and I hope other local businesses will be able to lend a hand to them and other worthwhile causes in Saltash.”