Vital donations for Anglia community projects

Two Norfolk-based grassroots organisations are celebrating timely donations from Persimmon Anglia, helping develop their valuable work in the community.

Both Phoenix Karate School and Wymondham-based Cup-O-T Wellness and Therapy Services have experienced financial difficulties over the last two years, due to the Covid pandemic, so reached out to Persimmon for help from the innovative Community Champions fund, receiving £1,000 each through the scheme.

Cup-O-T Wellness and Therapy Services is a not-for-profit mental health service. It provides therapy and group sessions to young people and adults in and around Norfolk. In rural areas, a mobile therapy van can visit schools and community hubs to allow access to a range of therapies. They have recently started to rent a woodland in Wymondham for therapy sessions, to break out of the walls of standard clinic rooms.

CEO and lead therapist Catherine Gray said: “Our schools are experiencing a rising number of students struggling with their mental health. With this increasing number there are long waiting lists and limited services available to bridge the gap while waiting for NHS intervention.

“This funding from Persimmon is vital for us and our community as it will allow more young people to access our mobile services, our woodland therapy site and receive appropriate therapies as early as possible.”

Phoenix Karate School runs martial arts sessions for young people and adults in Yarmouth and Lowestoft. The group provides valuable training not only combat techniques but respect, self-control, general fitness and other vital life-disciplines.

Several members have progressed to national and international competitions in recent years, working alongside the world’s martial arts elite. However, recent events have left the club struggling, as spokesperson David Wadham explained:

“We have been unable to fundraise in our usual ways throughout the pandemic. This has left us short of funds at a time when we were hoping to see members competing at the forthcoming world championships in America. This kind donation from Persimmon will enable more members to take part and meet the associated competition costs.”

Persimmon Anglia head of sales Jorden Knell said: “We are acutely aware how recent global events have affected many local groups, from sports clubs to health and wellbeing organisations.

“That is why we are so pleased to offer some financial support through our Community Champions programme, which allocates funding each month to two deserving local charities or community projects. Both Cup-O-T and Phoenix Karate Club are extremely worthy recipients, and we wish them every success.”