A local youth centre in Wantage has received a funding boost after a £1,000 donation from Persimmon Homes Wessex.
The contribution was presented to Sweatbox Youth Centre, based at King Alfred’s School, with representatives from the developer joined by local councillors and Chris Waters.
Serving young people in Wantage, Grove and surrounding villages for more than 50 years, Sweatbox provides a safe and supportive space offering a range of activities, including arts, sports and gaming. The centre hosts multiple weekly sessions and regularly attracts close to 100 attendees on busy evenings.
The youth club is primarily funded through support from Wantage Town Council and Grove Parish Council but also relies on fundraising, grants and donations to maintain its services.
The donation forms part of Persimmon’s Community Champions scheme, which distributes £700,000 annually to charities and community organisations across the UK. Recent beneficiaries in the area have included Oxford Hospitals Charity, Vale and Downland Museum and the Wantage Literary Festival.
Persimmon Homes Wessex is the developer behind the nearby Wellington Gate housing scheme, which will deliver more than 1,000 homes to the area, alongside new community infrastructure including a primary school and a planned secondary school.
Pauline Fletcher, Sales Director at Persimmon Homes Wessex, said:
“With Persimmon bringing over a thousand new homes – serving local people in Wantage, Grove, and beyond – to Wellington Gate, it is important to us that we support institutions here that make it such a great place to live.
“We’ve been aware of Sweatbox and its valuable work for a while, so we are delighted to be able to support it. I am sure young families at Wellington Gate will be using it for years to come.”
Michelle Rozier, Manager of Sweatbox Youth Centre, added:
“It is fantastic to be recognised as a Community Champion by Persimmon and to receive this much-needed boost to our coffers that, in turn, will help us maintain our offering for young people in Wantage and the wider area.
“As can be imagined, costs for running an operation that caters to so many can be expensive so donations from local businesses like Persimmon are much appreciated.”
Local representatives also welcomed the support, highlighting the centre’s long-standing contribution to the community.
