Latest news with #PersimmonHomes
The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Second refuge built through Independent campaign ready for family
The Independent 's Brick by Brick campaign has successfully completed its second safe house for women fleeing domestic abuse, which is now ready for families. The campaign, launched in partnership with Refuge, surpassed its fundraising goal, collecting over £585,000 from readers. Built by Persimmon Homes, the identical properties are in secret locations and feature enhanced security. The initiative addresses the nationwide shortage of refuge spaces for women and children escaping domestic violence. The campaign garnered significant support from royalty, politicians including the prime minister, and celebrities.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Preventing violence against women and girls must remain a priority
When The Independent launched the Brick by Brick campaign last September for women trying to escape domestic abuse, it undoubtedly touched a nerve with our readers. The initial target of £300,000 was hit after only a month, and we decided to build a second safe house as more than £585,000 was raised. We thank our readers for supporting this deserving cause so generously. The first home is occupied, and the second, also built by Persimmon Homes, is now ready for another family to move in. The campaign, run jointly with Refuge, the domestic abuse charity, won the support of politicians, royalty and celebrities, including the Queen, Sir Keir Starmer, Dame Helen Mirren, Dame Joanna Lumley, Olivia Colman, Victoria Derbyshire, Andi Oliver, David Morrissey and Sir Patrick Stewart. Other backers included The Julia Rausing Trust and Nationwide. Sir Keir said: 'My government has a commitment to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) and we will need to pull every lever across society to make this happen, which is why I am so proud of campaigns like this that show what we can achieve when we stand together.' The Independent, too, is proud of what we and our readers have achieved. It will make a real difference and, as Refuge noted, potentially save lives. While the government's pledge to halve VAWG in a decade is welcome, campaign groups and some Labour MPs are understandably worried about an apparent lack of tangible progress during the first year of Sir Keir's administration. Some are starting to lose patience with Jess Phillips, the minister for safeguarding, who had an impeccable record on the issue in opposition and knows what she is talking about as a former manager of Women's Aid refuges in the West Midlands. The problem might go deeper than Ms Phillips. The Home Office budget was squeezed in the spending review published by Rachel Reeves last month, and Yvette Cooper, the home secretary, was the last cabinet minister to settle with the Treasury. Regrettably, there was no mention of VAWG in the chancellor's statement. Gemma Sherrington, the CEO of Refuge, said the message from it was that the pledge 'is not the priority the government claims it to be'. A long-awaited strategy to address the issue is now due this autumn. It will be a pivotal moment. With VAWG accounting for 20 per cent of recorded crime in 2022-23, the Home Office seems keen to prioritise prevention. But The Independent believes the blueprint must ensure a genuinely cross-government effort so all relevant Whitehall departments – including those responsible for health, education and technology – play their part, rather than regard domestic abuse as someone else's problem. The prime minister's plan for 'mission-driven government' is laudable, and closer cross-departmental working is supposed to be a key part of it. Yet the traditional battles between individual departments and the Treasury ahead of the spending review showed that the old, silo-driven mentality is alive and kicking in Whitehall. Domestic abuse is one area where Downing Street must intervene to bring a more holistic approach. Crucially, the new strategy should include not only direct investment in lifesaving schemes such as accommodation, but must also guarantee enough money for the day-to-day services needed to deliver the promise. As the Commons home affairs select committee noted in a report this month, 'funding remains fragmented and poorly aligned with evidence of what works'. Although cross-departmental boards have been established, transparency is limited, and trust in the Home Office's ability to lead remains low, the committee said. Ominously, it warned: 'We are not convinced that the department has the capacity or imagination to deliver on its target ... Without determined and coordinated action by ministers, the government will not meet its target to halve VAWG in a decade.' The Independent will be watching closely to see whether the government puts itself on track to meet its target.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Second safe haven built by The Independent for women fleeing domestic abuse now complete
The second safe haven built by The Independent ' s Brick by Brick campaign for women fleeing domestic abuse has been completed, providing a 'lifeline' for families in need. The purpose-built safe house is now ready for its first family to move in, weeks after the keys for the first home were handed over. The new houses, built by Persimmon Homes, were funded by The Independent 's hugely successful campaign, launched in partnership with leading domestic abuse charity Refuge last September. When the initial target of £300,000 was reached after just a month of fundraising, The Independent decided to build a second house as more than £585,000 was raised by our generous readers. The campaign was backed by politicians, royalty and celebrities, including the Queen, Sir Keir Starmer, Dame Helen Mirren, Dame Joanna Lumley, Olivia Colman, Victoria Derbyshire, Andi Oliver, David Morrissey and Sir Patrick Stewart. The Independent 's editor-in-chief, Geordie Greig, said: 'It is brilliant news that The Independent's Brick by Brick campaign now has a second house funded and built for women desperately in need of sanctuary. 'I feel enormous gratitude to our donors and our charity partner, Refuge. 'This house is a lifeline for abused women. To build a permanent sanctuary makes all of us at The Independent feel great pride and joy that this safe house is available forever, offering rescue and respite to women whose lives are at risk.' The identical homes are built in a secret location to protect survivors and look exactly the same as those surrounding them, to ensure their occupants don't feel isolated. They are both finished with a living room, open-plan kitchen, dining room, a garden and two double-sized bedrooms with built-in cupboard storage space. After the 10,946 bricks were laid, an all-female team of decorators added the finishing touches to the properties with bright colours to make the house a true home for those seeking refuge. Crucially, the semi-detached homes also include a number of safety features, including CCTV, a fireproof letter box and enhanced locking mechanisms on windows and doors. The Brick by Brick campaign was launched in September 2024 in response to the nationwide domestic abuse crisis. Thousands of women across the UK face danger in their own homes, but a woman is turned away from a refuge every two hours due to a lack of space. The Independent heard testimony from a range of survivors, including women who were beaten and had lost children, friends and jobs. The project would not have been possible without the generous donations from readers and other backers including the The Julia Rausing Trust and Nationwide. Prominent figures publicly supported the campaign, including the Queen, who also made a donation and described such safe spaces as 'vital in providing a lifeline to those at their lowest ebb'. Praising the campaign on the completion of the second home, the prime minister said: "Congratulations to the Independent for its work on this wonderful project. 'When I first backed Brick by Brick, I said I wanted the campaign to go on and get bigger and bigger – and now it is. 'No one should be forced to choose between staying in danger or facing the streets. A second Brick by Brick safe home means more women and children can escape abuse and rebuild their lives with dignity and security. 'My government has a commitment to halve violence against women and girls and we will need to pull every lever across society to make this happen, which is why I am so proud of campaigns like this that show what we can achieve when we stand together." Actor Olivia Colman, a Refuge ambassador who supported the campaign, said: "Together, we supported Refuge and The Independent's Brick by Brick appeal, as every woman and child deserves to live safely, free from the horrors of domestic abuse. We haven't just built two houses, we have created homes that will save lives. Thank you." She was joined by fellow Refuge ambassador, Sir Patrick Stewart, who said the campaign sent a 'powerful message' that we as a society 'will not tolerate domestic abuse'. 'We must continue to join forces to support the millions of women and children who are subjected to domestic abuse every day,' he said. Survivors, including those with older children, will be free to bring pets with them, something that many refuges are unable to accommodate. Refuge staff will provide emotional support and legal advice to the families, and will help women with safety preparations, budgeting, debt planning, benefits applications and finding nurseries and schools. Gemma Sherrington, CEO of Refuge said: 'With the first of these houses already occupied, this week we welcomed a survivor to the second – a powerful reminder of the life-changing impact the Brick by Brick campaign has had. 'These two houses – which offer safety and freedom to women who would otherwise not be able to access traditional refuges – are already saving lives. 'As a result of the incredible support shown for this campaign, countless women and their children will now have somewhere safe to call home, where they can begin to rebuild their lives free from fear.' Anthony Vigor, chair of the trustees for the Persimmon Charitable Foundation, said: 'We are delighted to be handing over the keys to the first Refuge home built by Persimmon. It has been a real privilege to be involved with this project and the life-changing benefits it will deliver. Everyone has a right to feel safe, and we are pleased that this home will shortly become a much-needed sanctuary for a family surviving domestic abuse.' It's not too late to support Refuge and to help more survivors find their freedom. Donations will be spent on Refuge's lifesaving work housing survivors of domestic abuse.
South Wales Guardian
16-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Pontarddulais RFC secures £6,000 in Persimmon sponsorship
Pontarddulais RFC in Swansea will receive the funding from Persimmon Homes, one of Wales' largest property developers, as part of its Community Champions scheme. The money will be used to support the club for the 2025/26 season. Sharon Bouhali, sales director at Persimmon Homes West Wales, said: "Persimmon is proud of the partnership we have built with Pontarddulais RFC over the years, so we are delighted to be an official sponsor with them for the forthcoming season. "Clubs like this play an excellent role in the town, bringing the people together over the love of sport and providing a place for the community to meet. "Part of our mission as a housebuilder is to leave a positive and lasting legacy where we are, creating a sense of place, and supporting the local community. "That is why we are so passionate about helping Pontarddulais RFC." Established in 1881, Pontarddulais RFC fields two senior teams, a women's team, a youth squad, and 11 junior sides. The men's first team competes in the WRU Men's Admiral National Leagues. Persimmon's sponsorship is part of a broader partnership with the club and follows other recent donations to organisations in the area. The developer currently has a live planning application with Swansea Council for more than 500 zero-carbon ready homes in Pontarddulais. The plans include a new primary school, community facilities, housing association properties, parks, playing fields, and funding for outdoor sports and public transport improvements. Persimmon's Community Champions scheme has also supported Pontarddulais Cricket Club and the Pontarddulais Agricultural Show. Huw Thomas, director, secretary, and club operations manager at Pontarddulais RFC, said: "We're thrilled to be strengthening our relationship with Persimmon after their much-needed support over the years. "For the club to continue to offer what it does in the town – whether that be a team to play rugby for or a place that brings people together – it needs to build partnerships like this. "We're grateful to Persimmon for the difference they are making for the club and effort they are making in the town to support us."
Business News Wales
14-07-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Swansea County Rugby Club Confirm Sponsor for Next Season
One of Wales' largest developers has been confirmed as a major sponsor for Pontarddulais RFC for the 2025/26 season. Persimmon Homes has committed £6,000 from its Community Champions pot – which sees nearly £50,000 go to good causes and much-valued organisations across Wales each year – to the club. It follows other donations as part of a long-term partnership with the club. Established in 1881, the club has two senior teams, a women's team, a youth team, and eleven junior sides. Their first men's team play in the WRU Men's Admiral National Leagues. Persimmon Homes currently has an application for bringing more than 500 zero-carbon ready homes to the town, which is currently with Swansea Council for determination. The plans include a primary school, a community building, housing association properties, parks, playing fields, and financial contributions to outdoor sports and public transport improvements in the area. The accredited five-star developer's Community Champions scheme has also recently supported Pontarddulais Cricket Club and the Pontarddulais Agricultural Show. Persimmon Homes West Wales' sales director, Sharon Bouhali, said: 'Persimmon is proud of the partnership we have built with Pontarddulais RFC over the years, so we are delighted to be an official sponsor with them for the forthcoming season. 'Clubs like this play an excellent role in the town, bringing the people together over the love of sport and providing a place for the community to meet. 'Part of our mission as a housebuilder is to leave a positive and lasting legacy where we are, creating a sense of place, and supporting the local community. That is why we are so passionate about helping Pontarddulais RFC.' Huw Thomas, Director, Secretary and Club Operations Manager, Pontarddulais RFC, said: 'We're thrilled to be strengthening our relationship with Persimmon after their much-needed support over the years. 'For the club to continue to offer what it does in the town – whether that be a team to play rugby for or a place that brings people together – it needs to build partnerships like this. 'We're grateful to Persimmon for the difference they are making for the club and effort they are making in the town to support us.'
