Mental health support charity to receive funding boost
A mental health charity based in Exmouth in Devon is receiving a £1,000 funding boost thanks to regional housebuilder Persimmon Homes South West.
Heads Up Mental Health Awareness CIC applied for the donation from the Persimmon Homes Community Champions scheme, which was created to financially assist regional charities, organisations and good causes.
Paula Baker from Heads Up Mental Health Awareness CIC explains: “Our work is based on raising awareness of mental health and teaching young people aged from four to 18 years how to look after their mental health and offer support to those who may be starting to struggle.
“Our aims are all about prevention and intervention before mental health problems are established and we offer sessions to all schools, youth clubs and sports teams. We also offer assemblies, year group sessions and interactive classrooms which can be run as one-offs or as part of a longer-term programme.
“The sessions cover a range of topics which include, but not limited to: ‘how to look after your mental health’, ‘social media and mental health’, ‘building self-esteem’, ’dealing with anxiety’, and ‘dealing with anger’. In many cases schools do not have the staff or resources to deliver the necessary mental health support to children which is why Heads Up offers these services free of charge, ensuring that as many young people as possible have access to this type of support.
“We are grateful to Persimmon Homes South West for this donation which will go a long way to helping us keep our work going so we can deliver our mental health services to young people when and where they are needed.”
Stacey Harris, sales director at Persimmon Homes South West, said: “Mental health is something that continues to remain at the top of the national agenda, particularly since the pandemic and all the issues that has brought to people. We are delighted to be able to make a donation to this great initiative from Heads Up as they are able to go into schools to meet and work with the children face-to-face. This will go a long way to preventing issues as well as helping those who find themselves in need of additional support.
“Each month we like to remind regional charities, organisations and good causes of all types to have a go at applying to Community Champions. Filling in the online form is very straightforward and they could very easy become one of next month beneficiaries.”
Each month the Exeter-based builder donates up to £2,000 to community groups across the region. This also happens across Persimmon’s other 31 operating areas, meaning up to £64,000 is dished out every single month – a total of £768,000 a year. Organisations can apply for funding by completing a simple online form at www.persimmonhomes.com/charity
