Tag: Persimmon Homes

Team GB and Persimmon team up to produce community challenge for schools

Team GB and Persimmon Homes have launched Get Set to Build a Community, a cross-curricular challenge to support the development of employability, teamwork and decision making skills in students aged 11–14 in the run up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Originally created as the official education programme for London 2012, Team GB and ParalympicsGB’s youth engagement programme Get Set now offers a broad programme of free, cross-curricular resources and activities for schools and community groups.

Get Set to Build a Community tasks students with planning, designing, building and marketing a community-focussed housing development with Team GB athletes at its heart. They will use knowledge of previous Olympic parks, and plans for future parks, as the basis for a development that upholds the Olympic Values of excellence, respect and friendship.

Selected schools participating in the challenge will receive a visit from a Team GB athlete in the build up to Paris 2024. Participating schools can also request a visit from a Persimmon Homes Ambassador to support the delivery of the programme and talk about the benefits of a career in the home building industry. 

With a network of Ambassadors across the country, Persimmon is trying to encourage the next generation of construction workers by giving students the opportunity to learn about the range of career pathways available to them. 

Tim Ellerton, Commercial Director at Team GB, said: “The support we receive from our partners is essential in enabling us to take the nation’s best athletes to an Olympic Games, and in turn inspiring households and communities across the UK with their stories.

“The Get Set program in particular supports young people to fulfil their potential, and this new challenge developed in partnership with Persimmon will give the next generation even more opportunities to engage with Team GB in the build up to Paris 2024.”

John Roocroft, Persimmon’s Regional Chairman in Scotland, said: “I am delighted to be launching the Get Set to Build a Community challenge with Team GB.

“At Persimmon we are always looking to see how we can encourage local youngsters to consider a rewarding career in construction, so using our relationship with Team GB in this way is a great initiative.

“I encourage all local schools to take up the challenge.”

Persimmon gives a helping hand to two community groups

Two richly-deserving community-based causes in the west of Scotland are among the latest recipients from the pioneering Community Champions programme, run by leading housebuilder Persimmon Homes. Each has been awarded £1,000 by the company’s Glasgow-based West Scotland division.

Amputee Football Association Scotland was set up in 2017 to provide opportunities for amputees in Scotland to play football. Based in Glasgow but catering for players from all across Scotland, it aims to give players with congenital limb differences the chance to play at grassroots, club and international level.

Spokesperson Ashley Reid said: “We are now resuming competitive games in the post-pandemic environment. Our national team now has overseas commitments and to fulfil these we desperately need help towards travel costs and to acquire new reinforced crutches for all amputee players.

“In addition, we are busy developing training sessions and events for young people, so they can pursue their passion in a fun and friendly environment. We work hard to raise funds to support these developments but have a shortfall. That’s why we turned to Persimmon for some help.”

Around 12 miles away, Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels (OKFP) is the name of an emergency foodbank and community hub based on Station Road, Old Kilpatrick. 

Set up in the wake of the pandemic, the group relies on the support of a dedicated band of volunteers, who are trained on life skills such as cooking, housekeeping, budgeting and counselling.

Founder Maureen Cummings explains: “Our training enables the volunteers to help vulnerable families in our community who are experiencing social exclusion as a result of being isolated for long periods of time. This has been a particular issue during the pandemic.

“Many of the individuals and families we work with have lost their confidence in social settings. That’s why we are so committed to helping rebuild their self-esteem and wellbeing, by teaching them new skills and offering training opportunities.”

On behalf of Persimmon, West Scotland managing director Chris Logan said: “Our region has been hit hard in recent years, through the pandemic and, more recently, the cost-of-living crisis.

“This creates very real difficulties for all but especially for those facing challenges, be it physical impairment or less visible issues, such as social exclusion.

“Our Community Champions programme is designed to offer much-needed support for those groups and the selfless people who work hard to create opportunities and help their communities thrive. That’s why we are so pleased to announce this funding for OKFP and the Amputee FA Scotland. We wish them all every success in the future.”

To find out more about the Community Champions scheme, including details of how to apply, visit: 

https://www.persimmonhomes.com/community-champions

The company has a number of upcoming and recently-completed residential developments in the region. For details, go to: 

https://www.persimmonhomes.com/find-your-new-home

Founded in 1972, Persimmon Homes is one of the UK’s leading housebuilders. With headquarters in York, the Group operates from 31 regional offices throughout the UK, trading under the brand names of Persimmon Homes, Charles Church and Westbury Partnerships, building quality homes across England, Wales and Scotland. 

The company is proud to be an accredited Living Wage Foundation employer and directly employs more than 5,000 people and supports around 86,000 jobs in the construction sector. 

For more information visit www.persimmonhomes.com

Work begins on Persimmon’s The Earls development in East Lothian

One of Scotland’s leading housebuilders has started work on a £28 million housing development in Blindwells, East Lothian.

Foundation and groundworks are underway on The Earls development being delivered by Persimmon Homes.

A mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes as well as 12 apartments will make up the 197 properties on the site which received planning permission in September last year. Of those, 30 homes will be transferred to a provider of social housing. 

Situated between Prestonpans, Cockenzie and Tranent, The Earls forms part of the overall Blindwells New Town masterplan of the 390-acre former opencast mine site being delivered by Hargreaves Land. 

Alongside 1,600 much needed new homes, the New Town masterplan will also see construction of a new primary school and other community facilities and amenities in the area.

Neil Parry, managing director at Persimmon Homes East Scotland, confirmed: “Breaking ground at The Earls is just the start of this exciting new development which will provide a range of high-quality homes that we are confident will meet the needs of the East Lothian property market and create jobs for local people.

“Since our signage was erected we have received a high volume of enquiries for our new homes.  This is testament to the desire to live in this new, and what will be an amazing community to live in. We look forward to our first legal completions towards the end of 2022.”

Bruce Lindsay, development director at Hargreaves Land, said: “Hargreaves are delighted to welcome Persimmon to Blindwells and look forward to seeing the new housing being delivered as part of this exciting New Town development.”

The Earls is ideally placed close to excellent transport links, just off the A1, close to beautiful east coast beaches and golf courses. 

To be among the first to secure a home in an emerging new community buyers can visit www.persimmonhomes.com or call the marketing suite on 0187 544 0562.

Founded in 1972, Persimmon Homes is one of the UK’s leading 5 star housebuilders. With headquarters in York, the Group operates from 31 regional offices throughout the UK, trading under the brand names of Persimmon Homes, Charles Church and Westbury Partnerships, building quality homes across England, Wales and Scotland. 

The company directly employs more than 5,000 people and supports around 86,000 jobs in the construction sector. Persimmon is proud to be an accredited Living Wage Foundation employer.

Persimmon Homes awards £1000 to children’s cancer charity

A specialist support service that helps and supports children living with a cancer diagnosis has been selected to receive £1,000.

Persimmon Homes North Scotland awarded the funding to Young Lives vs Cancer as part of the developers Community Champions scheme.

Every day 12 children hear the devastating news that they have cancer.  Young Lives vs Cancer step in to help support and guide each child and their family. For those travelling, often miles, for treatment in Glasgow, the charity welcomes them to make use of Marion’s House, a safe and cosy environment near to the hospital.

Marion’s House provides a place away from the hospital wards with 11 bedrooms where families can stay for free and spend time with their child during treatment doing the everyday things that make them feel that a fraction of normality is possible during what is an extremely challenging time.

Carol Jones, at Young Lives vs Cancer, said: “Maintaining a sense of normality for families going through cancer diagnosis and treatment for their child is so important.  The basics of making a cup of tea, doing the laundry and being able to make a home-cooked meal are such small things but make a huge difference.

“This funding will enable a family to stay at Marion’s House for 26 nights where they can stay close to their child in hospital, or be together with their child, whenever treatment allows.

“On behalf of all the children and families that we help a big thank you to Persimmon Homes.”

James MacKay, managing director at Persimmon Homes North Scotland, said: “When we heard about Young Lives vs Cancer, we wanted to do what we could to help their cause.

“The expert support provided by the care team at Marion’s House makes a huge difference and we feel privileged to contribute to their efforts.”

For those who wish to know more about Community Champions and how they can enter, visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity

Clock is ticking for youth projects to share in £1 million giveaway

Leading housebuilder, Persimmon Homes in Scotland is urging youth groups, schools and sports clubs across its North, East and West regions to apply for a share of its £1million charity giveaway before it’s too late.

Projects must make their applications to the Building Futures scheme at www.persimmonhomes.com/building-futures/ before the closing deadline of midnight on August 15 2021.

Persimmon’s scheme aims to support community groups working with under-18s across three categories – education & arts, health and sport.

Persimmon Homes regional chairman for Scotland, Doug Law, said: “The last 18 months has been a challenging time for everyone but now restrictions are starting to ease, it’s more important than ever to look after our mental and physical health.

“We’re extremely proud to be making donations between £1,000 and £100,000 to grassroots sports groups, charities dealing with physical and mental wellbeing issues, as well as community arts and education projects.

“Over the years we’ve seen what a massive difference this funding can make to schools, clubs and charities, so we’re encouraging everyone to apply now.”

Building Futures is delivered through the Persimmon Charitable Foundation in partnership with Team GB, the British Olympic Association, and the housebuilder enlisted the help of Olympic gold medal winning cyclist Dani Rowe (top) to launch the scheme.

A total of 128 grants of £1,000 will be awarded across Persimmon’s 32 businesses to improve local facilities and the delivery of vital community projects.

Three initiatives will go on to win £100,000 each through a national online public vote. The winners will be named at a gala dinner for finalists in November.

In each sector – education & arts, health and sport – as well as the £100,000 first prize, there will be a £50,000 second prize and a £20,000 third prize, while a further 87 shortlisted projects will each receive £5,000.

Last year’s top prize winners were Northampton Swimming Club (sport), Ringsfield Hall Eco Activity Centre (arts & education) and The Children’s Hospital Charity (health).

Catherine Foster, trusts fundraising manager for The Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “It’s difficult to put into words how we felt when we won the top prize of £100,000, it was like all of our Christmases came at once.

“The funding has been put towards a new cancer and leukaemia ward and it’s going to be absolutely amazing once it’s up and running. We’re going to have a state-of-the-art facility thanks to Persimmon Homes so we don’t really have any words to say thank you enough.”

Doug added: “We want to hear from local groups, charities and individuals who have ambitious plans on how they would spend the big cash prizes. We’ve had some fantastic applications over the years so we’d urge anyone, however big or small their idea is, to apply today.”

To find out more about or to apply Building Futures visit:

www.persimmonhomes.com/building-futures/

A wheelie grand gesture!

A Glasgow charity has received a donation from a UK regional housebuilder to help support children to engage in cycling activities. Free Wheel North received a £1,000 donation from Persimmon Homes West Scotland, as part of the housebuilder’s Building Futures campaign.

The charity encourages children of all abilities to participate in cycling at an affordable cost, improving mental and physical wellbeing as well as learning key life skills.

Not only does Free Wheel North cater for disabled children with specialist bikes, but their facility also allows families who financially cannot commit to owning their own bike or do not have the space to store one, the opportunity to still participate in regular cycling.

Carol Thompson, who applied for the funding for Free Wheel North, said: “Cycling is a key life skill as it means independence for the children as well as it being a skill that they will carry with them for their entire life.

“Donations such as this are so important with COVID-19 restrictions directly affecting our visitor numbers.  In 2019 our disability cycle track welcomed more than 41,000 but this year that number has dropped to just 7,224 causing a dramatic drop in our funding.

“With the kind donation from Persimmon Homes, we hope that this year we will be able to create even more opportunities for children to enjoy again. The funding will help us to maintain and service our fleet of speciality bikes, making them ready for when more children can return to the track.”

Persimmon Homes is giving away £1million through their Building Futures programme. The campaign aims to support community groups working with under-18s across three categories – education & arts, health, and sport.

A total of 128 grants of £1,000 will be awarded across Persimmon’s 32 regional businesses to improve local facilities and the delivery of vital community projects.

Three initiatives will go on to win £100,000 each through a national online public vote. The winners will be named at a gala dinner for finalists in October.

In each sector – education & arts, health, and sport – as well as the £100,000 first prize, there will be a £50,000 second prize and a £20,000 third prize, while a further 87 shortlisted projects will each receive £5,000.

Chris Logan, managing director of Persimmon Homes West Scotland, said: “Our Building Futures initiative allows us to support community groups that focus directly on young people across the areas that we are building.

“We are delighted to be able to donate £1,000 to Free Wheel North. The inclusive activities they provide for young people within the community is a much-needed service and allows opportunities for those who may not be able to experience them safely elsewhere.

“The Building Futures campaign is still open for applications and we are encouraging charities and services who work specifically with under 18’s to apply now via our website.”

For more information about the new developments available across West Scotland or to find out more about the Building Futures initiative, visit: 

www.persimmonhomes.com

Housebuilder helps fund Scarlett’s Next Steps

A family is celebrating this week after receiving a £1,000 donation towards vital treatment for their young daughter. Scarlett Moore, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy following a traumatic birth, has been gifted the money from Persimmon Homes East Scotland’s Community Champions scheme towards the cost of Advanced Biomedical Rehabilitation (ABR). Continue reading Housebuilder helps fund Scarlett’s Next Steps