Persimmon provides foundation with funding boost

A foundation that aims to improve the mental well-being, self-esteem, and happiness of young people across the UK has received a vital cash boost thanks to Persimmon Homes.

Proton Foundation in Markfield, Leicestershire has received an £850 donation from Persimmon Homes North Midlands as part of its Community Champions scheme.

Persimmon makes £64,000 a month available to fund local community initiatives across the UK.

The charity enables individuals, families, and communities to impact the lives of 100,000 young people to help them grow and thrive in a healthy way.

It delivers eight-week Flourish Projects to groups of young people in schools aged 9-16 years old and covers sessions on mindset, social media, and goal setting.

Hannah Williams, CEO of the Proton Foundation, said: “We would like to say a massive thank you to Persimmon Homes for this generous donation.

“As we all know happy children thrive and unhappy children don’t.

“Ill mental health has increased by 58% since COVID and our organisation alone has heard about eight young people taking their lives over the last 12 months.

“We have a preventative solution to train youth workers, teachers, volunteers, sports coaches and families in awareness and to become a Flourish hub where they go into their local communities to work alongside groups of young people.”

So far Proton Foundation has supported 964 children but the hard work doesn’t stop there as Hannah has big plans for the rest of the year.

She added: “We want to run another two days training to educate twelve adults so that they can deliver this eight-week project.

“If we can do this then in one year we could reach 360 vulnerable young people and impact their lives in a positive way which would be amazing.”

Nadine O'Dowd, sales director at Persimmon Homes North Midlands, said: “It gives us great pleasure to be able to help Hannah and the team at Proton Foundation with this donation.

“The vision they have for the rest of the year and beyond is truly inspiring and hopefully this £850 will go a long way towards reaching their goals.

“We love supporting projects that help young people because they’re the future and we believe that it’s really important they’re given the right tools to be confident and happy in their own skin.”

For more information visit www.persimmonhomes.com, or to apply for Community Champions funding visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity.