AN ANDOVER charity offering support for neurodivergent individuals and their families has received a £1,000 donation from a housebuilding company, to further develop its work.

Koala Community Hub is a subsidiary of charity More Education and is dedicated to supporting people who have non-typical brain and behavioural patterns, including autism, dyslexia, ADHD and Tourette’s syndrome. Collectively this is known as neurodiversity.

Founder Tori Rist said: “Through mutual support activities, our neurodivergent community can create connections which, in turn, helps with mental health issues and combats isolation. We currently operate on a volunteer basis but are trying to raise funds to operate further training and support groups.

“We now support all age groups, from toddlers to adults, and also provide support for parents and those young people who cannot access a formal education setting. We hope to now expand with high-quality training and mental-health support drop-ins.”

To help develop its valuable work, the group applied to housebuilder Persimmon Homes under its Community Champions programme, in which two locally-based charities and good causes are awarded donations each month, of up to £1,000.

Commenting on the latest award, Joe Lindsay, director in charge at Persimmon Homes South Coast, said: “Koala Community Hub put forward an application which outlined their vital work in this area, supporting people and families. There is clearly still much to be done in educating the wider public about neurodiversity and providing the right support for those who live with these conditions.

“We hope our donation can go some way towards achieving greater understanding and bringing about necessary improvements.”

For more information about the Community Champions programme, visit: https://www.persimmonhomes.com/community-champions