The Ageless Thanet Community Fund is one-year old and, as a result of feedback from community organisations, the limit has been increased to £3500. This, like the majority of Ageless Thanet activity, is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
We welcome applications for new and unique projects that combat social isolation and loneliness for over 50s in Thanet.
Since January 2018, the Ageless Thanet Community Fund has supported over 60 projects with a total of just over £45,000 being awarded to support activity and opportunities for Thanet’s 50+ residents.
Projects funded
So far, a variety of different projects have been funded, including; Pil-Art-Ease, classes that combine Pilates and contemporary art; Thanet Stories, who are looking to capture the stories of 50+ Thanet resident’s lives; Our Kitchen on the Isle of Thanet, who applied for portable hobs and cookery equipment for their intergenerational cookery classes; as well as Christmas dinners and events for over 400 people.
Knowing that thereare a large number of LGBT+ over 50’s in Thanet who are socially isolated, The Thanet LGBT+ 50+ Group were keen to arrange events and promote other opportunities to bring LGBT+ over 50’s together. Applying to the Ageless Thanet Community Fund enabled the group to buy promotional material and arrange an LGBT+ 50+ cinema screening which was well attended.
The Thanet Thunderers Boccia Club is another group who have been successful in applying to the Ageless Thanet Community Fund. Boccia is a precision ball sport, similar to bowls and is a recognised Paralympic sport that can be played by anyone, with or without a disability. The Ageless Thanet Community Fund paid for two sets of boccia balls, two ramps and a coaching course for the group organiser, Terry Fearn.
Terry said: “The Ageless Thanet Community Fund has given us the correct equipment, which gives us the confidence and legitimacy to build and continue the club. Without the funding, we probably would have played a few games with sub-standard equipment and most likely disbanded by now.”
Apply for help
If you would like to apply to the Ageless Thanet Community Fund, please contact Heather Biddles or Claire Shelton on 01843 210005, or email [email protected] and request an application form. The deadline for submitting completed applications is 5pm on Tuesday, March 12.
Get involved
The Thanet Thunderers meet on Friday afternoons at 2pm at Trinity Community Resource Centre in Margate. If you would like to find out more information, you can contact Terry by email at [email protected].
Ageless Thanet, led by Social Enterprise Kent, is part of Ageing Better, a programme set up by The National Lottery Community Fund. Ageing Better aims to develop creative ways for older people to be actively involved in their local communities, helping to combat social isolation and loneliness. For more information about Ageless Thanet, please visit their website – www.agelessthanet.org.uk, or call 01843 210005.