Kent Community Foundation brought together members of the voluntary sector at a Green Impact Forum on 27 March at the Three Hills Sports Park, in Folkestone.
Over 90 attendees listened to speeches from community groups, including, Allington Millennium Green, Sunken Garden Society, Rainham Eco Hub and Mutual Aid Road Reps CIC, who have taken steps towards eco sustainability. The participants then enjoyed lively discussions about the environment, what it means to local communities, what could be learnt from one another and what steps to take next to effect change.
Josephine McCartney, Chief Executive, Kent Community Foundation said “We were delighted with the response to our first Green Impact Forum. We know that our natural environment offers boundless possibilities for driving social change, including fostering mental wellbeing, offering spaces for communal activities, providing children and young people with opportunities for engagement and self-development, and creating avenues for employment and involvement for those most vulnerable.
“Through our Environmental Strategy, we are helping to facilitate change through positive steps at a local level. Why? Because a better outcome for the environment is a better outcome for local communities in a multitude of ways; green spaces which provide opportunities for everyone, including the most vulnerable, cleaner air quality, food security and greater local food production, flood defences and prevention.”
The forum participants agreed that,
· communities should not be afraid to take the first steps as enthusiasm and passion often trumps expertise.
· small changes should be embraced.
· volunteering and engaging with environmental initiatives are opportunities for personal development, self-discovery, and finding a sense of purpose.
Josephine McCartney continued, “We were thrilled to see that the forum highlighted success stories from groups that exemplified how a single individual can be the catalyst for group efforts, reflecting Kent Community Foundation’s belief in thinking globally, acting locally.”
The Green Impact Forum ended with a resounding call for everyone to take just one positive step and see the optimism in a healthy environment for a healthy society.
To find out more about Kent Community Foundation visit www.kentcf.org.uk
The environment is one of Kent Community Foundation’s five areas of priority for their grant-making strategy.
Kent Community Foundation funding priorities
- Children, Young People & Families
Supporting disadvantaged children and young people’s physical and mental health, encouraging positive choices and staying safe. - Vulnerable Adults
Helping those who may need extra care dealing with challenging issues or those at risk of social exclusion or discrimination.
3.Elderly and Isolated
Enabling elderly adults to stay well, healthy, independent and free from social isolation.
4. Employability, Skills & Enterprise
Creating opportunities to develop skills and confidence and have a positive impact in areas and groups of people with high unemployment.
5. Environment
Encouraging community action to improve and protect local spaces with support sustainable ways of living.
About Kent Community Foundation
Experienced grant-maker Kent Community Foundation is the organisation behind the organisations and has been finding, funding, and supporting some of the smallest voluntary groups in the county for over twenty three years. In this time, it has distributed almost £55 million to support thousands of small charities and deserving causes where a modest sum of money can make a significant impact.
Kent Community Foundation is 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 ninety 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.
