Persimmon Homes grant for RHC

Persimmon Homes Press Release
June 2020

BUILDER PALS UP WITH DIGITAL BUDDIES INITIATIVE

A community group looking to assign digital buddies to older people wanting to improve their online communication skills has won the support of a regional builder.

The Ruby Hunt Centre in Donington, Lincolnshire, has been awarded £1,000 from Persimmon Homes East Midlands’ Community Champions fund to support the innovative scheme designed to help more vulnerable people stay in touch with family and friends during the COVD-19 crisis and beyond.

The Ruby Hunt Centre offers support and social activities to mainly over 350 older people who would otherwise be lonely and socially isolated in the local community but open to all age groups.

Alan Inns, for The Centre, said: “The majority of people using our centre and the volunteers that run these activities are aged 70 years and over.

“Our volunteers and regulars, even before the coronavirus, told us that the majority of them were currently unable to use digital technology and were desperate to get online so they could benefit from having more social connections, as well as easier access to key services.

“Before the pandemic, we purchased some IT equipment to start running regular digital training sessions for beginners. However, since the lockdown the majority of people accessing our services as well as the volunteers are shielding, and are currently offline, therefore, dramatically reducing their social connections.

“This generous donation will allow us to buy IT equipment to loan out and data (where required) to people aged 70 years to get them reconnected with the outside world. In order to support this, we will recruit local younger volunteers to become digital buddies to get people initially set up and online.”

Nick Phillips, Director in charge at Persimmon Homes East Midlands, said: “This is exactly what our Community Champions scheme is all about, supporting good causes to make a positive change in the areas we work and live.

“We know this project will help the most lonely and vulnerable people in our community now, and will be used in the future through our digital training project once The Centre is re-opened.”

Persimmon Homes East Midlands launched Community Champions with a view to helping community groups, charities and good causes across the region. However, as the nation continues to feel the effect of the COVID-19 outbreak, the housebuilder feels that, at the moment, elderly communities are in the most need of support.

The change of direction came into effect from April, with the donations for that month going to groups that work with and support the over-70s.

Each month the Peterborough-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.

Nick added: “We would urge any group working with older people to visit the Persimmon Homes website and to try and become our next Community Champion.”

For more information or to apply for Community Champions funding visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity