A CHARITY committed to helping veterans in Cheshire realise their full potential has received funding from a leading housebuilder.

Transformation for Veterans, based in Tarporley, was founded by veteran Joe O’Connor who over many years of rehabilitation had a vision to make a difference to the lives of other veterans.

The charity has been awarded £1,000 by Persimmon Homes North West as part of its Community Champions initiative. The scheme is a national programme where charities and groups can apply for funding up to the value of £1,000 to match funds they have raised themselves.

Joe said: “Thank you so much for selecting our charity to receive £1,000 through the Persimmon Homes Community Champions scheme which will help us continue to offer veterans and their loved ones a resource empowering them to achieve their true potential.

“We are currently supporting an average of 14 new veterans a month referred from Congleton, Chester, Widnes and Runcorn on a project that works with veterans suffering with mental health problems related to PTSD. We provide one to one coaching and support and group outdoor activities encouraging peer support and reducing isolation.

“Assessments have shown that our interventions really improve mental health, confidence, social skills, resilience, self-worth and coping mechanisms enabling veterans to integrate into the community and begin to achieve their full potential.”

Transformation for Veterans already offers help and support by providing a unique service and a gateway back into the community to enable employment, volunteering, self-employment and further education and training. It also helps people improve relationships, better socialise and manage themselves to better deal with debt, housing issues, relationships and addictions.

Its ultimate aim is to build a purpose-built Transformation Centre in a rural setting which when completed will offer a bespoke range of services and support focusing on well-being and designed to empower veterans and their families.

Dave Hodgson, sales director at Persimmon Homes North West, said: "We are happy to support this very worthwhile charity, which has all of the qualities that make for a perfect Community Champion.”

Charities and groups which were previously unsuccessful can apply again by visiting the website www.persimmonhomes.com/charity