Change of Scene (CoS) has scooped £100,000 in Persimmon Homes’ charity campaign supporting young people.

The Farnham charity won one of three top prizes in the Persimmon Homes Building Futures campaign, which invited application in three categories - education and arts, health and sport - to compete in a national online vote.

The charity finished first in the education and arts category, representing Persimmon’s Thames Valley region.

Through one-to-one care, working outdoors teaching animal care and horticulture, CoS aims to give excluded and struggling young people a route back into education.

By the time they are referred to CoS, most are struggling with anxiety, poor mental health and have become accustomed to failure. The charity’s outdoor work improves self-esteem, confidence and gives these young people a chance to succeed.

Winning this money will support CoS for the next two years, freeing it up to find a much-needed benefactor.

The charity is searching for a landowner or potential land owner near Farnham who can rent it around 15 acres of land for a peppercorn rent.

CoS needs to move from its current location before its lease runs out, set itself up and provide more and different services to vulnerable young people in the local community.

This would enable CoS to continue to be a haven for more young people in desperate need, and to help those with nowhere else to turn.

Pam Robinson from the charity said: "We were delighted to receive the amazing news we had won £100,000.

"Thank you so much - this money will make a huge difference to the charity and the vulnerable young people in our community. And thank you to all our supporters for voting for us."

See www.changeofscene.org.uk