Each year Barratt Developments, which includes both Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, works with a wide range of local causes, and throughout the pandemic, the housebuilder has continued its work through the Community Fund to donate £1,000 to a deserving local cause in each of its three Scottish divisions every month.

Initially based within Aberdeen’s Children Hospital but now also providing care across Shetland and Orkney, Inverness and Dundee, The Archie Foundation aims to make a difference for local sick children, providing much-needed extras not already catered for by the NHS. Its Neonatal unit provides care for babies born too soon or too sick, as well as their families.

Barratt Developments’ donation will be put towards where it is needed the most, from family travel costs to accommodation and beds for families as they wait for updates, and supplying birthday gifts for those who haven’t had the chance to go out and get anything for their child whilst standing-by at the hospital.

Speaking of the donation, Lynne Brooks, gifts and donations officer at The Archie Foundation, said: “One in three children under 16 in Grampian will visit our sites each year, almost 35,000 children, so we’d like to say a huge thanks for the £1,000 donation, it is much appreciated and will make a real difference. With the monies we can make the difference in healthcare and bereavement for local children and their families, this may be provision of specialist staff, equipment, emergency grants to families or free onsite parent accommodation.”

Befriend a Child supports school-aged children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds around Aberdeen and the Shire. The only dedicated befriending and mentoring service for children in the North East, Befriend a Child matches them with a trained volunteer who supports them and helps them develop resilience, self-esteem and self-confidence.

Katie Kyle, head of fundraising at Befriend a Child, said: “We’d like to thank Barratt and David Wilson Homes for their kind donation, which will make a huge difference. The £1,000 donation will go towards making sure befriendees continue to go on adventures and have new experiences with their befrienders. Learning new life skills and gaining confidence in themselves is incredibly important.

“We struggled throughout the pandemic, due to social distancing measures that meant it was difficult for befrienders to meet their child in person, but now with measures easing we are looking forward to welcoming children back.”

David Palmer, managing director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes North Scotland, added: “Archie’s and Befriend a Child carry out brilliant work for children and families across Aberdeen and further across Scotland. We hope that our donations will help them continue to provide these crucial and important services through what have been difficult times.”

Now in its third year, the Barratt Developments North Scotland Community Fund has pledged to donate £1,000 each month to a charity or organisation, covering areas across Inverness, Elgin, Aberdeen and Perth. Charities are nominated and voted for by employees of Barratt Developments and the focus for the fund continues to be on organisations that improve the quality of life for those living in the area in which they build.