Helping isolated older people reconnect with their community, improving access to safe toilets in Maidstone town centre and supporting residents who struggle to get online are among the projects receiving a share of £48,000 in council funding.

A total of 18 community organisations have been awarded grants of between £500 and £4,999 through Maidstone Borough Council’s Community Grant Scheme.

The Maidstone Trans Network has received £3,140 for the Maidstone Inclusive Town Safety Initiative (MITSI). The scheme will work with town centre businesses to promote inclusivity and improve access to safe toilet facilities.

Age UK Maidstone, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge has received £4,999 to help some of the borough’s most isolated older residents. The funding will help people connect with local services, build social connections and access support.

We Click CIC has also received £4,999. Its community hub at The Mall helps residents facing barriers including digital exclusion, unemployment, financial hardship and social isolation.

Councillor David Naghi, Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Safety said: “We are fortunate to have so many organisations working hard to support Maidstone residents, providing services that make a difference to people's lives.

“From the Street Pastors, who help some of the most vulnerable people in our community at night, to Making a Difference Maidstone, which supports those experiencing poverty and homelessness, these organisations play an important role in making Maidstone a better place for everyone.

“I am delighted that Maidstone Borough Council is able to support these projects through its Community Grant Scheme, helping them continue their valuable work and make a lasting difference to local people.”

Phoebe du Maurier of The Maidstone Trans Network said: “We are thrilled and grateful to receive this community grant. It enables us to bring the Maidstone Inclusive Town Safety Initiative (Mitsi) to fruition. This is a community-led project that aims to make town-centre venues safer and more welcoming for everyone by encouraging policing by behaviour instead of appearance.

“The funds will help us to distribute 500 practical advice packs throughout the town centre and borough, conduct inclusivity audits, and support 50+ venues in adopting a safe refuge pledge. Our distinctive Mitsi window vinyls will provide a signpost to safety for those who avoid public areas due to fear of confrontation.”

The first round of funding attracted 28 applications, with 18 projects receiving a grant.

More rounds of the Community Grant Scheme are planned before Christmas and again in the new year.

The grants support local organisations that are helping residents, bringing communities together and improving people’s wellbeing.

The successful community groups receiving funding are:

• Involve Kent, £4,999 for Digitally Connected: free drop-ins, one-to-one support and workshops to tackle digital exclusion.
• Making a Difference Maidstone, £4,999 to strengthen outreach support for people experiencing poverty and homelessness.
• Hear Say, £984 towards a parent support group for families of children with additional needs.
• Hinckley Harriers, £1,000 to provide free inclusive weekly running sessions for all abilities in Maidstone town centre.
• Switch Youth Services, £1,000 to support a youth centre providing a safe space where young people can build confidence, resilience and life skills.
• Hi Kent, £2,000 offering social group and technology support for deaf and hard of hearing residents.
• The Princess Project, £1,000 for Mum Hubs providing support and a sense of belonging for isolated and vulnerable families.
• We Click CIC, £4,999 towards a community hub helping residents overcome digital exclusion, poor literacy, unemployment, financial hardship and isolation.
• Maidstone Street Pastors, £4,999 for the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable people in the town centre at night.
• CAP Enterprises, £2,000 to provide Women Kind training programme to build young women's skills, confidence and resilience.
• Making Miracles, £1,000 towards the Volunteers Matter project supporting people into volunteering and reducing loneliness.
• Communigrow, £3,000 for Savvy Spoons workshops helping residents reduce food waste and household bills.
• Maidstone Family Church, £3,000 for Wildfire Youth Club providing a safe space for young people to play, study and socialise.
• Maidstone Baptist Make Lunch, £500 towards holiday lunch club for vulnerable families with young children.
• Maidstone Trans Network, £3,140 towards the Maidstone Inclusive Town Safety Initiative (MITSI) improving safe and inclusive access to toilet facilities across the town centre.
• Age UK Maidstone, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge, £4,999 for outreach and support for isolated older residents facing loneliness or digital exclusion.
• Rewrite Your Story, £2,000 for Town Centre Connect wellbeing, resilience and early support programme for young people and vulnerable residents.
• Stones Community Trust, £2,530 for FitStones @ MCSC exercise sessions for residents aged 50+.

Joshua Piercey of Communigrow: "It's really important to Communigrow that we can deliver work in Maidstone where so many of our beneficiaries live. We think a lot about food and food waste and so we're confident we can help people in Maidstone reduce the amount they waste and lower their bills."

Nigel Downes, Coordinator of Maidstone Street Pastors said: "We are so thankful that Maidstone Borough Council recognises the 'work' we do, to help keep Maidstone's Night Time Economy safe. Through their grants, we are able to train and equip our volunteers: All Street Pastors have significant training, they have to have uniform so they can be identified by the Police, CCTV, Door staff and public. We use a lot of equipment; bottled water, sick bags, foil blankets, flip-flops, pot noodles, hot drinks, sleeping bags and more.

“Without grants like this, we simply could not do what we do!

“Thank you Maidstone Borough Council.”

Nathan Hinckley who founded Hinckley Harriers said: “The Hinckley Harriers are extremely grateful for the support from Maidstone Borough Council. We are a local run club built on community and inclusivity. Everyone is welcome and no one is left behind! As the founder of the run club I strive to make a difference for the people of our community as I think the people of Maidstone deserve a safe place to meet others and build connection.”

Emma Thistlewood of Involve said: “This funding will make a real difference in helping Involve bring practical, face-to-face digital support into the heart of Maidstone. At our Digitally Connected Hub, residents will be able to get friendly help with their digital skills, accessing essential online services and staying safe online. We want people to leave feeling more confident, connected and able to do more for themselves.”

Sally Howells of Making Miracles said: “We are grateful to Maidstone Borough Council for our grant which will be promoting volunteering opportunities in the area. Volunteering is good for everyone, for the volunteer who will be part of a really friendly team, have socialising opportunities on top of their volunteering, learn new skills and, at the same time, feel good about doing something which will support local families who lose a baby.”

Debra Jones of Hi Kent said: "This kind award from Maidstone Borough Council means so much to us as it helps us fund vital tech help for our clients who are struggling with technology and may need help with something like how to use their new hearing aids effectively and accessing the apps available to pair them to their smart phones/devices. Also, to demonstrate the wide range of assistive equipment that is available.

We are also grateful for the funding given towards our Maidstone Social Group, a lovely group of people, all living with hearing loss and its challenges, who meet monthly to chat, listen to speakers and have fun. Living with hearing loss can be quite socially isolating, so this group is so important for local residents"

Abi, Youth Club Leader of the Maidstone Family Church said: "We are so grateful for the generous grant from MBC which will enable us to reach more young people who are socially isolated or neurodivergent and really need a safe space to relax and be themselves. This money will allow us to update our equipment, including buying a switch which the youth are really excited about."

Jason Martin Cap Enterprises said: “We are delighted to be one of the chosen grant recipients and are really excited about bringing our award-winning WomenKind course back to Maidstone – we’ve been away far too long!

“We are looking forward to running these women-only sessions and unlocking some real girl power!

“We are planning when and where we will run the course right now, but hope to be able to share more details in the next week or so.”

Alan Heyes from Rewrite Your Story said: “This £2,000 grant will help us create a safe and supportive space where young people can talk, build confidence and develop the resilience they need to deal with some of the challenges they face. We’re excited to see the difference Town Centre Connect can make.”

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