Two London groups have been awarded a share of a £1 million fund supporting under-18s as a part of the hugely successful Persimmon Homes Building Futures campaign.

Sister System and Body and Soul were among 96 organisations to reach the final stage of its Building Futures competition.

During April and May, Building Futures also gave away £1,000 each to 128 organisations supporting young people in sport, education & arts and health throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

Three finalists were each awarded the top prize of £100,000, three the second prize of £50,000 and three the third prize of £20,000. The remaining finalists were handed £5,000 each.

Sister System, based in Tottenham, in the arts & education category, London-based Body and Soul for health and Horizon Sports Club, in High Wycombe, for sport, represented Persimmon Homes North London and were each awarded £5,000.

Sister System is London’s first preventative charity supporting girls in care, empowering them, increasing their mental resilience and economic stability. These girls are on the fringes of society at risk of economic deprivation, social isolation, abuse, homelessness and coercion. Sister System helps them to achieve a life free from abuse with good mental health, engaging them in education and employment.

A spokesperson for Sister System said: “Taking part in Building Futures has been a fantastic experience for us and it was so exciting to reach the finals, with such a broad range of groups being represented and we are delighted to have been awarded £5,000.”

Body & Soul’s purpose is to transform the devastating effects of trauma in children and young people’s lives. The group supports those at high risk of trauma: children living with HIV, children adopted from care, and young people who have attempted suicide. Every year the cause assists more than 250 children, providing innovative therapeutic and community-centred interventions to transform lives.

Karl Endersby, deputy managing director at Persimmon Homes North London, said: “The Building Futures scheme has been a great success and it is wonderful to celebrate the fantastic work of so many organisations supporting young people in our communities.

“We have been overwhelmed by both the response to the competition, and the hard work and dedication of those involved within all the groups.”
The first, second and third prize winners were decided by a public vote and around 400,000 votes were cast.

The winners were announced during a virtual event, presented by Dame Katherine Grainger DBE, chair of UK Sport and Great Britain’s most decorated female Olympian, alongside Persimmon Homes Group CEO Dean Finch. The final was watched by around 1,500 people.

The £100,000 prize winner in the sport category was Northampton Swimming Club, while Ringsfield Hall Eco Activity Centre secured the award for education & arts and The Children’s Hospital Charity won for health. The second prize of £50,000 went to KD Gymnastics for sport, North Music Trust at Sage Gateshead for education & arts and Little Hearts Matter for health. In third place, Afan Lido Ladies & Girls’ FC scooped £20,000 for sport, with Derian House Children’s Hospice receiving the health award and Refugee Action winning for education & arts.