One of West Wales’ largest housing developers has donated £2,000 to a charity offering community support and friendship for parents and carers of young people with autism in Carmarthenshire.

Persimmon Homes West Wales presented the cheque to Carmarthen & Cross Hands Autistic Mams Association (CCAMA) at a coffee morning last week as part of its Community Champions programme, alongside Cllr Emlyn Schiavone who helps run the charity.

A meeting with two parents in Carmarthen highlighted the need to develop provision to the west of the county, to serve families in Carmarthen, Cross Hands, Ammanford, Whitland, Llandeilo, Llandovery, and Newcastle Emlyn. Consequently, an application was made to the Shared Prosperity Fund with the County Council.

This enabled activities to be arranged for families in a stimulating and enjoyable environment, ranging from soft play, swimming sessions, music therapy and visits to local areas of interest such as the Botanic Gardens. The funding was time limited and other sources need to be identified to sustain the progress that has been achieved.

The five-star developer recently purchased land at Sandy Hill, Saundersfoot, clearing the way for work to begin on 72 new homes, with a view to having the first properties on the market this summer.

Persimmon donates £48,000 each year to good causes and much-valued organisations across Wales each year as part of its Community Champions scheme.

Commenting, Persimmon Homes West Wales Sales Director Sharon Bouhali, said:

“Once we heard about the Mams group, we knew instantly that this was a deserving recipient of our Community Champions donation and thank Cllr Schiavone for bringing them to our attention.

“With sites in Carmarthen and Cross Hands, this group will be an invaluable resource for some of the families that end up occupying those homes, and we wanted to help out an organisation that could be such a huge help to them.

Cllr Emlyn Schiavone – councillor for Carmarthen Town West – commented:

“On behalf of the large number of families that are benefiting from CCAMA, I would like to express my thanks to Persimmon for the funding to enable this important initiative to continue and flourish.

“Twelve months ago, I met two parents to explore how we could develop a new project to the west of the county. We are presently up to 473 members, and the shared experiences of so many families involved with positive and inclusive activities have been rewarding and fulfilling.”