Devon-based homebuilder supports independent school with heartwarming donation

Local homebuilder Barratt David Wilson Homes Exeter has recently donated £1,500 to Vranch House, an independent Devon-based charity that provides critical wellbeing and educational support to those with complex physical difficulties.

Vranch House an independent day school in Exeter for nearly sixty pupils aged 2-19 years who have significant complex physical difficulties and other associated needs. Vranch House was set up by Charles Vranch as a charity in 1969 and the school opened its doors to pupils for the first time on 14 May 1971. The school has been continuously growing in pupil numbers over the last few years and has now hit capacity.

The school also has a therapy centre providing clinical services for children and young people aged 0-19 years with a wide range of physical difficulties ranging from mild to very complex. They treat over 2,000 outpatients every year throughout North, West, East and Mid Devon. Many young people attend Vranch House as outpatients for therapy and treatment, while others are pupils at Vranch House School or one of the other special schools in the area.

Vranch aspires to make a difference to their pupils’ lives, some of which are very short due to life-limiting conditions, meaning every day needs to be meaningful and fun. However, this can be challenging due to the charity’s reliance on donations and volunteers.

The Barratt Developments Community Fund initiative aims to support those causes which have a positive impact within their local communities. This recent donation is going towards upgrading the outdoor space and the creation of a new sensory path to make it more accessible and engaging for school pupils and outpatients, many of whom are wheelchair users. The new path was officially opened on Friday 8 March 2024.

Nicki Reid, sales director for Barratt David Wilson Homes Exeter, said, “We are thrilled to support Vranch House in their mission to provide essential care and education to young people facing significant challenges across our local community.  We hope that the upgrades to the garden and the new sensory path will bring joy to their students and outpatients and that this donation will enable them to continue their vital work.”

Chloe Moore, Vranch House Teacher and Fundraising Coordinator, said, “The pupils at Vranch House are truly inspirational and deserve to be given the opportunities they need to thrive and succeed. This sensory path will encourage sensory interaction through sight, touch, and sound. Children will learn and develop through group play and physical challenges. It really will help our school pupils and outpatients to reach their potential and achieve their goals, whilst having fun outside – no matter their ability”.

For more information about Vranch and how you can support them, please visit their website at www.vranchhouse.org.   

Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes are currently building much-needed new homes across Devon, at Victoria Heights in Exeter, Fairfax Heath in Tiverton, Okement Park and Hampton Mill in Okehampton, and Berry Acres in Paignton. Wherever you are in your new home journey, Barratt Homes is here to support you and offers a range of schemes including Part Exchange Guarantee and the Key Worker Deposit Contribution Scheme.