A Warwickshire charity supporting vulnerable people has received £1,000 from leading developer Barratt Homes as part of its Community Fund scheme.

Way Ahead is based in Leamington Spa and provides care to vulnerable people and those with learning difficulties through supported living and meaningful day opportunities. The charity has been operating in Warwickshire for the last 50 years, enabling individuals to make life choices in the same way as everyone else, while supporting any additional needs, aspirations and goals.

Having found the last 18 months difficult, the organisation hopes to use the funding towards a project that highlights the resilience, care and sense of togetherness that was felt while working throughout the pandemic.

Louise De Bruyne, Chief Executive Officer at Way Ahead, said: “We have spent a lot of the pandemic focusing on the wellbeing of those we support, and our staff in order to provide safe and essential services. A large amount of this time was spent reflecting on the fears and concerns that came with COVID-19, while also looking at how quickly people adapted and embraced a new digital world.

“Our time apart has provided a great opportunity to talk about what people have missed, or what caused them fear and concern. I’d like the funding to be used towards a special project that showcases these reflective thoughts. Readers can use it to look back on this unprecedented time in history, and to highlight the ongoing feelings that people are working through as we look to return to our normal practices.”

The funds were donated as part of the housebuilder’s Community Fund scheme, an initiative that provides financial support to charities and organisations in the local areas which it builds.

Louise continued: “We are a small charity working within a largely unrecognised and underfunded sector, so projects such as the one we are hoping to undertake are not always financially viable.

“Community is a huge thing, and I am really pleased to see Barratt Homes’ Community Fund is taking the opportunity to be able to support existing and essential groups, especially as neighbourhoods continue to grow and develop.”

Adrian Evans, Managing Director at Barratt Homes West Midlands, said: “When we heard about the incredible work that Way Ahead does for vulnerable members of the community, we were inspired by its commitment to helping people and knew we wanted to provide support.

“Our Community Fund scheme allows us to help organisations such as this in the areas in and around our developments and it is vital that we work closely with local people to see how we can best help them.”