Stephens and George Charitable Trust in Merthyr Tydfil and Bristol City Robins Foundation have been awarded £50,000 each after being chosen from hundreds of charities that applied to the Persimmon Charitable Foundation’s open application programme.
The focus for the programme’s second funding round was employability, with the successful applicants chosen from over 300 charities for their work with young people.
The open application programme launched in March this year to give more charities the opportunity to access Foundation funding, with a £200,000 funding pot available in the form of four £50,000 donations. Bothwell Futures in South Lanarkshire and Thanet Community Development Trust in Kent were the first two charities to benefit, receiving £50,000 each. The next funding round will open in 2026.
Bristol City Robins Foundation will use the donation to provide tailored mentoring, life skills development, and wellbeing support for up to 150 14-25-year-olds not in education, employment or training (NEET), or at risk of becoming NEET. The £50,000 will enable the charity to reach even more young people after funding for its NEET programme was extended for another two years.
Stephens and George Charitable Trust, an alternative education and youth development programme, supports young people attending pupil referral units, and those at risk of exclusion. The donation will be used to provide hands-on vocational training in areas such as printing, construction and catering for 100 young people.
Anthony Vigor, Chair of the Foundation, said:
“We received many excellent applications for this round of funding. The trustees chose these two recipients for the targeted worked they are doing in their local communities, helping to improve the prospects of young people.”
Charlotte Plumb, Head of Education at Bristol City Robins Foundation, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to receive this incredibly generous donation from the Persimmon Charitable Foundation. The £50,000 contribution will make a significant difference to our NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) programme, enabling us to further support young people across Bristol to re-engage with education, build vital life skills, and take positive steps towards their future.
“This funding will allow us to expand our programme offer and help us to continue changing lives through the power of football. We are truly grateful for Persimmon’s support and belief in the impact of our work.”
Helen Hughes, Programme Lead at Stephens and George Charitable Trust, said:
“We are incredibly grateful to the Persimmon Charitable Foundation for this generous donation. The funding will allow us to expand our Alternative Education and Youth Development Programme, providing vital support to young people who face barriers to mainstream education. This investment will help us create safe, nurturing spaces where young people can thrive, build confidence and develop essential life skills.”
