Oxfordshire developer Barratt and David Wilson Homes Southern has donated £1,500 to SOFEA, a Didcot-based charity dedicated to supporting disadvantaged young people through education, training, and mental wellbeing services.
Founded in 2014, SOFEA helps young people re-engage with learning, develop new skills, and move towards employment. Between 2022 and 2023, the charity supported more than 500 people aged 14 to 25 through its employability, education, and wellbeing programmes across its sites in Didcot and Milton Keynes. Operating in partnership with FareShare UK, SOFEA also redistributes more than 2,000 tonnes of surplus food annually to communities facing food poverty and insecurity. The donation from Barratt and David Wilson Homes will contribute towards the charity’s core costs, supporting essential functions such as fundraising and marketing, which are key to sustaining and expanding its services.
James Plunket, director of fundraising at SOFEA, said: "We were delighted to receive this donation from Barratt and David Wilson Homes. It was an unexpected surprise and means even more knowing that we were nominated by a member of the team. As a growing charity, we are grateful for every donation we receive. Support like this helps us continue delivering our programmes and opens up opportunities to build relationships with local organisations."
The housebuilder’s contribution was made as part of its Community Fund scheme via The Barratt Redrow Foundation, which is run by its parent company, Barratt Redrow. It is designed to support national and local charities, large and small, across the UK to leave a legacy in the communities in which the housebuilder operates.
Campbell Gregg, managing director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes Southern, added: "We’re proud to support SOFEA and the incredible work it does to empower young people across Oxfordshire. The charity’s commitment to helping individuals build confidence, gain skills, and improve their wellbeing makes a real difference in the community. We’re delighted that our Community Fund donation can contribute towards the continuation and growth of its vital services."
To learn more about the charity or to support its work, visit the website at SOFEA.
