Oxfordshire charity Be Free Young Carers has received a £1,000 donation from housebuilder Persimmon Homes Wessex to support its work with children and teenagers who care for family members.
The charity, based at Harwell Innovation Centre near Didcot, supports young people aged eight to 17 who have caring responsibilities for loved ones with a range of needs. Its work aims to give them opportunities to enjoy their childhood, develop friendships and build confidence, while providing support to manage the emotional pressures of caring.
An independent specialist charity, Be Free Young Carers works across Oxford, South Oxfordshire, the Vale of White Horse and West Oxfordshire. Its services include one-to-one emotional support, counselling, volunteer befriending, youth groups and a programme of respite activities.
The charity organises more than 20 trips each year, giving young carers opportunities to take part in activities away from their usual responsibilities and spend time with other young people in similar circumstances. It also runs workshops covering practical skills such as first aid, relaxation and cooking.
Its published impact figures for 2024/25 record 45 respite activities providing 916 places for young carers. During the same period, the charity delivered an average of 302 one-to-one emotional support sessions and more than 90 counselling sessions.
The £1,000 donation was presented to charity staff at their Harwell base through Persimmon Homes Wessex’s Community Champions programme, which distributes £700,000 annually to good causes and community organisations across Britain.
Hannah Waugh, Head of Fundraising at Be Free Young Carers, said: “We are so grateful for the support of Persimmon Homes Wessex and their decision to support the charity. As a small local Oxfordshire charity these donations make a massive difference to the young carers we are supporting through our services.
“The young carers that we support are truly incredible young people who do so much for their loved ones, it is so important that we are able to help them with their wellbeing and the opportunities to make friends.”
Pauline Fletcher, Sales Director at Persimmon Homes Wessex, said the company was committed to supporting organisations making a difference in local communities.
The housebuilder is responsible for Wellington Gate in Grove and is one of the developers behind Valley Park in Didcot.
Editorial checks before publication: Confirm the donation and its intended use with the charity, and check that the 2024/25 impact figures remain the latest published annual results. I would also confirm the 20-plus annual trips figure with the charity.
