Developer backs local community scheme
An initiative that supports and feeds vulnerable people in a Somerset town has been boosted by a donation from a local developer.
Persimmon Homes South West presented a cheque to Wellington Baptist Church for £2,000 after they applied to the five-star builder’s Community Champions scheme.
Every Thursday, Wellington Warm Place is held at the Church’s grade two-listed halls and is open to any person who may be struggling financially, or with mental health issues, or loneliness. They provide two free hot meals as well additional free food and groceries.
The Warm Place has been operating since October 2022 and new sources of funding like Persimmon’s donation are being used to update the premises so to keep up with demand for the programme. The donation will go towards upgrading the toilets.
Fundraising activities – included holding a harvest supper and auction, a Christmas concert, a Sunday roast lunch, Christmas dinner for senior ladies, and a high tea for senior ladies – have so far yielded nearly £3,500. Further events are planned, including a spring fayre.
Persimmon Homes South West is preparing a hybrid planning application to bring a number of high-quality homes for local people – with a substantial proportion to be transferred to a housing association – at land off Popes Lane in Rockwell Green, in line with the principles outlined in Somerset Council’s Wellington Place Plan.
The detailed element proposes a wetland within the Wellington green corridor which will provide phosphate mitigation, a high-quality area of public open space, and will further strengthen the buffer between Wellington and Rockwell Green.
The developer’s Community Champions scheme sees over £700,000 donated to good causes and much-valued organisations across Britain every year. Recent local recipients include St John’s Ambulance Taunton and Uffculme School.
Persimmon Homes South West Sales Director Stacey Harris said: “As we prepare to bring much-needed new homes to meet housing need in Wellington and Rockwell Green, it is important to us at Persimmon to demonstrate our commitment to leaving a positive and lasting legacy beyond high-quality development.
“Our Community Champions scheme is there to support excellent initiatives and organisations like the Wellington Warm Place programme hosted by the Baptist Church, so we were delighted to be able to help them in a very competitive quarter for applications.
“Its clear that Warm Place is highly regarded by the local community and plays an incredibly important role in the area and we are delighted that our donation will help the Church deliver their programme for vulnerable people here.”
Revd Sam Griffiths, Minister of Wellington Baptist Church added: “The Warm Place is essential to our community – described as a life-saver, a reason to get out of bed, an opportunity to socialise with other people – so we are very grateful to Persimmon for their support.
“We have over 40 guests every week, serving a variety of people from all walks of life but who are not in a good place when they visit, making it important that we are able to cater to them as best as possible.
“These funds from Persimmon will make it much easier for us to do this, particularly with improved facilities, which means we can hopefully expand our offering in Wellington for those that need our support.”
