Leading UK housebuilder, Persimmon Homes, has selected Langley to receive £1,000 as part of its Community Champions scheme.

The funding will support our Pathways to Employment programme which was launched in 2015.

Pathways to Employment helps residents gain skills and experience to lead to employment, which is a key factor in breaking the cycle of crime. Equipping residents with the skills they need is a central to our approach in providing practical support which enables them to successfully live crime-free.

Pathways has taken on its first property to renovate and plans to take on more properties as the programme expands. The funding will help to develop Pathways further.

Persimmon Homes Central runs the Community Champions scheme to support local groups and charities which improve the quality of life or environment for the community. Two donations of up to £1,000 are made in Coventry or Birmingham each month.

Speaking about the award, Philip Gay, Donor Relationship Manager at Langley said:

“We are delighted to work alongside Persimmon Homes Central in transforming lives and communities in Coventry.

“Our Community Champions award of £1,000 will be used to support the Pathways to Employment programme, helping ex-offenders gain experience in home maintenance and learning new skills leading to employment.

“We have had a range of success stories from the Trust, including Mike who has been working alongside our Pathways to Employment Manager, Colin, in renovating a house in Coventry.

“Alongside this repair and restoration work, Mike is planning to get City & Guilds qualifications in plastering. As a result of his commitment he will be given professional tools to go on helping to turn his life around.”

Amanda Benjamin, Sales Director at Persimmon Homes Central, said: “We are proud to be supporting Langley House Trust, a group that do fantastic work in the Coventry area by supporting offenders and helping them develop new skills.”

Pathways has attracted over £100,000 through legacy giving and donations and is part of new series of Pathways programmes that we have been introducing which help provide practical routes out of crime into employment, self-employment and training.