Crieff Connexions aims to relieve poverty in the local community and provide relief from loneliness and isolation. The charity runs multiple initiatives across Crieff, including a food share outlet, a school uniform re-use shop and a space for people to meet, socialise and access support services.

Based on Church Street, Crieff Connexions has been fundraising to establish a low-cost community café within the town that offers a safe and welcoming environment where locals can access advice and counselling.

The £5,000 donation from Persimmon North Scotland is part of their Community Champions scheme, which supports good causes in areas where the company builds new homes. The scheme has seen over £1.5m donated to local charities, clubs and organisations across the country since 2021.

Elizabeth Philip, chair of Crieff Connexions, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Persimmon Homes for their generous support for our work. As a local charity, we are reliant on both our volunteers and financial support such as this.

“We are determined to increase the services we provide to those most in need in our community and Persimmon Homes has given us all a huge helping hand to do just that.”

James MacKay, Persimmon North Scotland managing director, added: “Crieff Connexions does some vital work to support the local community and I’m really pleased we’re able to help them with their fundraising drive for a new low-cost café to help tackle social isolation. It’s a great project and I hope our donation will help move it one step closer to completion.

“Our Community Champions scheme is about supporting the communities we operate in and I look forward to helping more local projects in the future.”