Westwood Cross
Westwood Cross shopping centre bosses have awarded funding to two local organisations to help them continue to provide vital support and essential services.
The Hive Thanet CIC and Thanet Disabled Riding Centre have each been awarded a £1,500 grant to help accelerate their work empowering the lives of children and young people in the area with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), as well as physical and mental vulnerabilities.
Launched by the owners of Westwood Cross, the Landsec Futures Community Grant Scheme offers unrestricted grants to not-for-profit organisations who address pressing social issues, promote community development, and improve the lives of residents in the area.
The Hive Thanet CIC is the UK’s first state-of-the-art and fully accessible training, recreation, and learning facility for young people and adults with SEND, nestled in the picturesque Kent countryside. The facility offers workshops and training for individuals aged 19–25, covering areas such as horticulture, gardening, sports, employability, and life skills.
The additional funding from the Landsec Futures Community Grant will enable the organisation to provide more educational and recreational activities designed to build skills, confidence, and independence.
Diarmuid Molloy, Director of Philanthropy at The Hive, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Westwood Cross for their generosity and belief in our work.
“This funding will make a real difference to the lives of our trainees, helping them gain valuable skills and experience that will prepare them for the future. We can’t wait to see them thrive through these amazing opportunities.”
Thanet Disabled Riding Centre provides horse riding and equine therapy sessions for children and young adults with a wide range of physical and mental disabilities, vulnerabilities, and special educational needs.
The centre relies on the support over 20 volunteers to maintain the running of the centre, that works to deliver riding lessons and therapy sessions to over 60 children and young people a week.
The funding will help cover the centre’s day-to-day expenses, as well as the care and upkeep of its much-loved ponies – Smartie, Missy, Roadie, Henry, and Bertie.
A volunteer at Thanet Disabled Riding Centre, said: “Our motto is, ‘If we have the right horse, we will take the rider, no matter the disability.’ Our mission is to help build physical strength, confidence, and a sense of support for everyone who enters the paddock with our wonderful horses.
“Without the support of Landsec and Westwood Cross, we wouldn’t be able to operate as we do, serving the local community.”
A parent of a child who has been attending riding lessons at Thanet Disabled Riding Centre, said, “Since my child was 23 weeks old, she needed a lot of help with her core strength. As she got older, we began taking her to riding lessons at Thanet Disabled Riding Centre, and the physical exercise has helped immensely.
“The volunteers and the horses at the centre have helped her feel safe, and helped build her strength and her confidence which included her even speaking her first words!”
Fran Donovan, Centre Director at Westwood Cross, said: “Westwood Cross isn’t just about shopping – it’s about being part of the community and supporting the people who make it special.
“With the Landsec Futures Community Grant, we’re able to invest in organisations that are having a positive impact on the groups and communities they serve in the region.
“Both The Hive and Thanet Disabled Riding Centre have fantastic facilities that meet the needs of those with a range of SEND, physical, and mental vulnerabilities to create positive and empowering experiences.
“We’re thrilled to be able to support both organisations in their efforts to enriching the lives of children and young people in the area.”
Applications for the Landsec Futures Community Grants scheme close Monday 10th February. To apply and for more details, visit: https://landsec.com/futures.
Manston Golf Centre
During February on the Toptracer driving range Manston Golf Centre is running a free to enter nearest the pin competition. The top 10 will qualify for the finals night and the lucky winner will walk away with a golf holiday for 4 to Sotogrande in Spain for 3 nights.
Manston Golf Centre was one of the first driving ranges in the UK to install Toptracer ball tracking back in 2019. This revolutionary technology tracks every ball hit back to a screen so the golfer can instantly see a whole range of shot data.
It’s not just shot data that is available, there is an ever- expanding range of games which users can access, such as nearest the pin, virtual golf, longest drive and, for the younger guests, go fish and Angry Birds!
Toptracer has been making golf more appealing to new and casual players as well as lots of youngsters – so much so that Manston Golf Centre added 8 extra bays in 2021.
Director Michael Humphries said: “Since we started with Toptracer we’ve regularly used the leaderboard feature to run monthly competitions with great prizes – which our users have loved!
“ For February we are taking this to another level…..we’ve teamed up with Golfbreaks to offer an amazing prize of a golf holiday in Sotogrande for four people for three nights! The best thing about our competitions is that they are free to enter and as the hole length is relatively short everybody can have a go at the competition and in be in with a chance of winning.
“We know there’s going to be a great atmosphere at the range throughout the month – the format is simple and great fun and everybody loves a bit of friendly competition and not to mention some sun to look forward to after the long British winter.”
Find out more at https://www.manstongolf.co.uk
Knowlton marketing agency
Marketing Agency Knowlton has been experienced rapid expansion thanks to global brand deals and viral campaigns.
Founded in Thanet by brothers Dan and Lloyd Knowlton, the agency began in a spare room in their parents’ home in Margate.
It has since grown into a team delivering high-performing marketing for brands like Adobe, BBC, Channel 4, Marvel x SafeJawz, Wahl x Peaky Blinders, and Sunny D. Their approach of blending entertainment with trackable marketing results has seen them grow revenues by 119% in the last six months alone.
Now, they’re set for their next major project flying to the Bahamas in February to shoot a TV ad for a global brand.
Dan Knowlton, co-founder, said: “We started by making funny videos to promote our marketing agency, but quickly realised that entertainment alone isn’t enough. The magic happens when you combine engaging content with a clear sales focus and that’s what we’ve built our reputation on.”
Despite their international client base, Knowlton remains firmly rooted in Kent, investing in local talent and expanding their team with three new hires (Producer, Production Assistant, and Marketing Executive).
“We’re proving that world-class marketing doesn’t have to come from London,” Dan said. “We’re building something special right here in Kent, and we’re only just getting started.”
Key Highlights:
- 119% revenue growth in six months, marking significant agency expansion.
- Shooting a TV ad in the Bahamas in February for a major global brand.
- Revamped Sunny D with EastEnders’ Barry Evans (Shaun Williamson), landing in Mail Online & LADbible.
- Staged a flash mob activation at London Victoria with Mr. Motivator for Constant Contact’s UK relaunch.
- Developed ‘Advertainment’ – a unique marketing approach blending entertainment with sales-driven content.
- Generated £3M+ in e-commerce sales for one client & secured £1M+ contracts for another.
- Helped a client’s product get stocked in Lidl & Aldi, two of the UK’s top 5 supermarkets.
- Knowlton’s own marketing strategy has reached 4.48 million people on LinkedIn in the last 90 days.
Mears Group
Housing solutions provider, Mears Group has announced a new partnership with youth employment charity Rise Up to enhance the reach and impact of its apprenticeship programme.
Being piloted at the Group’s branch in Thanet, the collaboration aims to engage and inspire young people—particularly those from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds—by providing tailored skills masterclasses, hands-on work experience, and mentorship opportunities.
As part of Rise Up’s Building Aspirations programme, young people will take part in activities designed to build confidence, practical skills, and career readiness. Through this initiative, participants will gain exposure to real-world work environments and develop the tools they need to succeed in the workplace.
Roman Dibden, Rise Up Charity Director said: “I’m excited to get started on the Thanet trial. I left school at 14 and began my journey as a housing apprentice so it is a full-circle moment for me to expand Rise Up’s support into this sector and show young people the diverse range of careers within housing.
“Partnering with Mears Group, a company committed to delivering a best-in-class apprenticeship programme, marks an exciting step forward. We are delighted to welcome Mears as one of our valued partners and look forward to working closely together to transform opportunities for the next generation.”
While the programme offers a pipeline of talent for Mears, the initiative’s scope goes beyond recruitment. All participants will benefit from transferable skills and professional development that will prepare them for success in any career they choose.
Apprenticeships project manager, Jamie Lee Ward said: “Our partnership with Rise Up is a fantastic opportunity to connect with young people in harder to reach communities and provide them with the tools and confidence they need to succeed after leaving school.
“We’re especially excited to launch our first workshops in Thanet, an area in the Southeast with some of the highest levels of youth unemployment, where we know this initiative can make a real impact.”
For those who successfully secure apprenticeships with Mears Group, the partnership ensures continued support, as Rise Up remains engaged to provide guidance and help new apprentices stay on track as they progress in their roles.
To get involved visit https://www.riseupuk.org/
The initiative is funded by The Mears Foundation, the independent charitable arm of the Mears Group.
Home Instead
Yasmin Crouch from Thanet has been nominated by home care company Home Instead as one of three finalists for its national ‘Care Professional of the Year’ award, in recognition of her commitment to clients and her ability to not only provide care to clients, but emotional support too.
Home Instead takes its annual conference as an opportunity to celebrate its care professionals across the country who provide outstanding care and make a real difference in their clients’ lives.
Yasmin was chosen as a finalist from 260 franchise offices and 12,000 Home Instead care professionals in the UK.
Yasmin began her career in the care industry right after college. She joined Home Instead in Broadstairs, Ramsgate, and Margate a decade ago and has never looked back. Having previously worked in a care home, she now enjoys delivering a range of care, from companionship to specialist dementia care, and making it possible for older people in the area to continue living in their beloved homes.
Nominated for the award by her colleagues at Home Instead Broadstairs, Ramsgate, and Margate, Yasmin was praised for her tireless dedication. One story that stands out is when Yasmin helped a client who had recently suffered a stroke. Yasmin supported him by boosting his confidence and teaching him simple stretches to improve his mobility, and she continues to offer him ongoing support.
Yasmin said: “Being a care professional feels so natural to me because I just love helping people. I am truly touched that the team has acknowledged me for the work I’ve delivered over the years.
£Offering companionship and care is a responsibility that I do not take lightly. My clients inspire and motivate me immensely, so I want to thank them for their support.”
Wafa Mohbubul, owner of Home Instead Broadstairs, Ramsgate, and Margate, said: “Compassion, kindness, and patience are key qualities for anyone working in care, and Yasmin shows these qualities in abundance. I’m incredibly proud to see her nominated for this award; it’s a testament to the value we place on her dedication and hard work.
“If others follow Yasmin’s steps, we can look forward to a future where more of us enjoy the comfort of our own homes in our old age, cared for by compassionate professionals if we happen to need care.”
The awards ceremony will be hosted by TV legend Lorraine Kelly at exhibition centre Manchester Central.
For more information on the services offered by Home Instead Broadstairs, Ramsgate, and Margate call 01843 862268 or visit https://www.homeinstead.co.uk/broadstairs-ramsgate-margate/
Asda and Dreamland
Get ready for deals on wheels as Asda announces its Roll(er)back Disco: the first-ever supermarket sweep style roller disco, set to open to the public for one weekend.
Fronted by brand ambassador and national P.E. hero, Joe Wicks, the free event will involve members of the public descending on Margate’s Dreamland amusement park to take part in a ‘wheely’ unique shopping experience.
The art-deco Roller Room will be transformed to resemble an Asda supermarket, complete with aisles and shelves stacked with boxes representing Rollback products.
During each 45-minute session, skaters will be provided with roller skates, a shopping basket and a shopping list and be challenged to fill their baskets with Rollback bargains, ticking off their shopping list as they go.
If they successfully shop all the ingredients on their list, skaters will have the chance to win hundreds of pounds worth of Asda vouchers, with some lucky skaters winning spot prizes worth up to £50.
There will be disco DJs providing the soundtrack and Joe Wicks on hand to lead a full warm-up and assist guests with their shopping during select sessions.
WHERE: The Roller Room, Dreamland Margate, 49-51, Marine Terrace, Margate CT9 1XJ
WHEN: Friday 7th and Saturday 8th February throughout the day during timed sessions
TICKETS: Slots can be booked for Friday’s sessions HERE and Saturday’s sessions HERE with a limited number of walk-in spaces available
COST: FREE
Churchill Living
Churchill Living’s Invicta Lodge in Westwood Cross is hosting an Information Open Day event for over 60’s on Thursday 6th February from 2-7pm. The event is for prospective buyers.
For any apartment purchased before 14th March 2025, Churchill will pay a winter fuel allowance of £300 annually for the next five years and is also offering to pay the Stamp Duty for new apartment purchases that are completed by this date (offers are subject to terms & conditions, see churchill-living.co.uk for full details).
To find out more or register to attend the event, visit churchill-living.co.uk or call 01843 498204.
