‘Companionship at Christmas’ provides support over the festive period, for older people in Swale who are lonely, socially isolated, lacking mobility or have a disability
‘Companionship at Christmas’ an initiative from Swale Community and Voluntary Services provides an invaluable service to those who would otherwise be lonely over the Christmas period. Kent Community Foundation awarded the group £1,500, to provide small Christmas get togethers as well as a hamper for their isolated and disadvantaged beneficiaries.
Historically ‘Companionship at Christmas’ provides a hot festive meal on Christmas Day and Boxing Day for about eighty vulnerable older people but with the continued uncertainty around Covid-19 they decided to adapt their plans for 2021. Instead, they are providing Christmas themed gatherings for smaller groups during December so that older members of the community will still have face to face contact over the Christmas period. The Kent Community Foundation funding will also allow Swale Community and Voluntary Services to provide a Christmas Hamper which will be delivered by a ‘Companionship at Christmas’ volunteer who will spend some time chatting on the doorstep.
Louise Johnson, Swale Community and Voluntary Services, said, “Within the Swale area there are many people, particularly the elderly, who are socially isolated. Christmas is a difficult time of year for those who are alone and whilst we cannot provide our normal meal, we hope the Christmas get togethers throughout December and the delivery of a hamper and ‘chat’ on the doorstep, will give everyone a feeling of coming together and not being forgotten.”
Josephine McCartney, Chief Executive, Kent Community Foundation, said, “Companionship at Christmas is a really important and valuable service for older people living in Swale and is just the type of community project that the money raised from our annual Surviving Winter campaign will support.”
To find out about the Kent Community Foundation Surviving Winter campaign visit www.kentcf.org.uk/give/surviving-winter
About Companionship at Christmas
‘Companionship at Christmas’ from Swale Community and Voluntary Services provides an invaluable service to those who would otherwise be spending Christmas alone.
www.swalecvs.org.uk/volunteering/companionship-christmas
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.
