On 1 November Kent Community Foundation launched its annual Surviving Winter Campaign
The community group, Friendly Faces of Kent is just one of the hundreds of organisations supporting the elderly and isolated across Kent and Medway that the money the campaign raises might support.
Sheerness based, Friendly Faces of Kent was established in June 2018 to help adults who are suffering the effects of isolation and loneliness through support groups, outings, walk and talk activities, crafts, and wellbeing sessions.
From delivering essential shopping, prescriptions, books and free craft and cooking ingredients, to keeping connected via phone calls and Zoom workshops, to challenging their members to become more active, Friendly Faces of Kent provided a dedicated and unbroken service throughout the whole pandemic. Now groups can meet again in person, Kent Community Foundation funding has allowed them to increase the number of face-to-face support groups they offer.
Josephine McCartney, Chief Executive, Kent Community Foundation, said, “With all the news and concern about fuel prices rising we were delighted to see that one of the recent Friendly Faces of Kent support groups focused on energy consumption. We know that many elderly people will not turn on their heating this winter which is why our Surviving Winter fundraising campaign is so important. Our annual campaign is designed to highlight the support that is available, prevent avoidable winter deaths, and raise money to support charitable organisations like Friendly Faces of Kent which work with older members of our community.”
Lesley Nowell Hitchcock, CEO, Friendly Faces of Kent, said, “Our groups at Sheerness and Teynham have been lucky enough to have been funded by Kent Community Foundation. The information on staying warm and healthy during the winter months and looking at reducing energy usage was chosen by us to support our vulnerable members. We devised a little booklet and a quiz to support the group session and offered a free raffle where the prizes ranged from hot water bottles and hot chocolate in a mug to energy saving bulbs. Everyone found it really helpful and enjoyed joining in the quiz that provoked a real buzz and encouraged communication between members and some really great ideas were shared on energy saving tips.”
Money donated to the Surviving Winter Campaign will contribute to projects that support elderly and isolated people including lunch clubs and social events to help people stay in touch and keep active, workshops and advice, transport, befriending services, and schemes helping elderly residents with tasks including shopping or gardening.
To find out more about the Kent Community Foundation Surviving Winter campaign visit www.kentcf.org.uk/give/surviving-winter
About Friendly Faces of Kent
Based in Sheerness, Friendly Faces of Kent support the lives of those affected by isolation and loneliness by increasing the social interaction between people of all ages and abilities, through inclusive activities and opportunities to help improve overall health and well-being – helping to restore a sense of belonging and community. They use a group centred approach, offering a range of innovative and high-quality sessions to promote and encourage their members to reconnect with their wider community. Delivered by professionals, support workers and volunteers, who together have their own experiences of isolation and loneliness.
About the Surviving Winter Campaign
The Kent Community Foundation Surviving Winter Campaign asks those, who are able, to donate their Winter Fuel Payment, or whatever they can, to help older people across Kent and Medway.
Donations can be made online at www.kentcf.org.uk/give/surviving-winter or by cheque to Kent Community Foundation (FAO Susan Blay and clearly marked on the back for the Surviving Winter Campaign with your name and address). Please post to Kent Community Foundation, Evegate Park Barn, Evegate Business Park, Ashford, Kent, TN25 6SX.
About Kent Community Foundation
Grant-maker Kent Community Foundation has been finding, funding, and supporting some of the smallest voluntary organisations in the county for twenty years. In this time, it has distributed over £45 million to support thousands of small charities and deserving causes where a modest sum of money can make a significant impact.
They are part of a UK wide accredited network of forty-seven Community Foundations who are committed to improving the lives of local people and communities, particularly the most vulnerable, isolated, and disadvantaged by matching those who want to help, with those who need the help.
Responsible for more than eighty philanthropic funds, Kent Community Foundation is unrivalled in its knowledge of local causes and assists individuals, families, and businesses, who want to help, to establish and administer their own charitable funds.
