A volunteer-run community group near Glastonbury has secured a £1,000 boost from housebuilder Persimmon Homes.

Thrive, based in the Somerset village of Meare, received the funding through Persimmon's Community Champions scheme during a visit from the developer's Severn Valley team to the group's outdoor community space.

The grassroots group focuses on creating welcoming outdoor places where people can meet, keep warm and feel connected. Organisers say the project particularly supports people who often struggle to access safe community spaces.

That includes neurodivergent families, LGBTQ+ residents, disabled neighbours and people on low incomes across the wider Glastonbury area.

Carly Spear, Sales Director at Persimmon Homes Severn Valley, said the developer was pleased to support the project.

"We are very pleased to be supporting Thrive, a community organisation that plays an important role in bringing together people from marginalised communities in the area," she said.

"Our Community Champions scheme is all about supporting organisations and charities in the areas where we develop, and as a prominent housebuilder in Somerset, we are committed to leaving a positive lasting legacy in the area."

Grassroots group supporting families

Thrive founder Tessa Wills said the funding would help the organisation continue developing its outdoor space in Meare.

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"We're really grateful for this support," she said.

"It allows us to create a space where neurodivergent children and their families can spend time outdoors, build relationships and explore their interests in ways that feel safe and meaningful.

"Small grants like this make a real difference for grassroots organisations like ours."

Persimmon's Community Champions programme distributes around £700,000 to charities and community organisations across Britain each year.

Recent local beneficiaries named by the company include Read2Succeed, Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce and On Your Bike Taunton.

The developer currently has housing sites across the Severn Valley region, including in Backwell, Bridgwater, Castle Cary, Cribbs Causeway, Tewkesbury, Weston-super-Mare, Wootton-under-Edge and Yatton.

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