Thrive Community Group Awarded £1,000 in Persimmon Homes' Community Champions Scheme
A small, volunteer-run community organisation located near Glastonbury has been named the latest recipient of Persimmon Homes' Community Champions initiative. Thrive, based in Meare, Somerset, focuses on creating inclusive outdoor environments where individuals can gather, stay warm, and foster connections. The group received a £1,000 donation from Persimmon's Severn Valley division during a ceremony held at their village outdoor space.
Supporting Marginalised Communities
Thrive's mission centres on assisting people who often face exclusion, including neurodivergent families, LGBTQ+ residents, disabled individuals, and low-income neighbours. Many of these groups struggle to find safe and welcoming community venues, making Thrive's efforts crucial for social inclusion and support.
Persimmon Homes' Commitment to Local Causes
Persimmon's Community Champions programme distributes £700,000 annually to worthwhile causes and organisations across Britain. Recent beneficiaries in the local area include Read2Succeed, Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce, and On Your Bike Taunton. As an accredited five-star developer, Persimmon Homes Severn Valley operates numerous sites, offering high-quality homes in locations such as Backwell, Bridgwater, Castle Cary, Cribbs Causeway, Tewkesbury, Weston-super-Mare, Wooton-under-Edge, and Yatton.
Carly Spear, sales director at Persimmon Homes Severn Valley, commented: "We are very pleased to be supporting Thrive, a community organisation that plays an important role in bringing together people from marginalised communities in the area. Our Community Champions scheme is all about supporting organisations and charities in the areas where we develop, and as a prominent housebuilder in Somerset, we are committed to leaving a positive lasting legacy in the area."
Impact of the Grant on Grassroots Initiatives
Tessa Wills, founder of Thrive, expressed gratitude for the funding: "We're really grateful for this support. It allows us to create a space where neurodivergent children and their families can spend time outdoors, build relationships and explore their interests in ways that feel safe and meaningful. Small grants like this make a real difference for grassroots organisations like ours."
This award highlights the importance of corporate support for local volunteer efforts, particularly in enhancing community cohesion and accessibility for underserved populations in Somerset.
