University students choose Thanet charity for funding to tackle food insecurity
Students at Canterbury Christ Church University have chosen Kitchen Social and Cookery Club to receive a £5,000 grant as part of a hands-on module exploring philanthropy in action.
The charity supports families facing food insecurity and health inequalities in Kent.
The funding was distributed through Learning by Giving, an undergraduate module funded by Pears Foundation, which brings practical learning to projects.
The initiative enables students to explore the role of philanthropy in contemporary society and apply their learning by awarding real funding to local causes.
This year, Occupational Therapy and Public Health students worked in partnership with the Kent Community Foundation to assess five funding applications and collectively decide how to allocate £5,000. After several weeks of research into local needs and community organisations, the students selected Kitchen Social and Cookery Club as the recipient of the full grant.
Natalie Smith, Director of Grants and Impact and Deputy Chief Executive at Kent Community Foundation, said: “Giving the students an insight into community grant- making, into local charities and grassroots groups is rewarding, and we can see that the students benefit from their involvement too. It’s an innovative partnership that we’re delighted to be part of.”
Dr Emily Lau, Senior Lecturer in Childhood Studies, and Project Lead for Learning by Giving, added: “Watching the students engage with social issues and explore the work of community organisations across Kent, applying their shared interdisciplinary knowledge from Occupational Therapy and Public Health, has been fascinating.
“I am delighted that they decided to fund the Kitchen Social and Cookery Club, and huge thanks go to our partners, Kent Community Foundation and Pears Foundation, for funding this innovative way of integrating the work of the community and voluntary sector into Higher Education.”
In Thanet, one in four children are affected by poverty. Kitchen Social and Cookery Club in Cliftonville provides vital support to low-income households.
In a six- month programme, families receive ingredients, cookery and life skills training, and support with budgeting and meal planning, helping to improve confidence, as well as mental and physical health.
Lucy Gray, founder of Kitchen Social and Cookery Club, said: “The immediate impact of the grant is stability for our project and local vulnerable families. We will be able to purchase fresh foods alongside personal hygiene items.”
Lucy says, in the past year, five children and young people under 16 had been bullied at school because their families could not afford basic items such as deodorant and toothpaste. She also highlighted that six girls had missed school during their menstrual cycle as their families could not afford sanitary products.
She added that the support will help households build confidence, better manage the ongoing cost of living crisis, and ensure children and young people are more prepared and able to attend school.
Simone Chung A On, a second year Public Health student, said: “Being part of the grant decision process gave me a real insight into how funding is considered.
“Knowing that our decisions would actually have an impact on the community made it all the more meaningful. It helped me see that decisions go beyond personal opinion and are instead based on the understanding of local needs, inequalities, and the potential for long-term impact.”
Speaking about why she supported Kitchen Social and Cookery Club, Marion Simmonds, a third year Occupational Therapy student, said: “Food is a basic need; to have learned skills that will benefit people and children throughout their life, to understand food choices and health benefits is an important life skill.”
East Kent Mind
Last week, East Kent Mind Wellbeing Ambassador Joanne Holden from Your Hair Hub hosted a successful Pamper for a Purpose event, alongside East Kent Mind Community Engagement Officer Karen Brinkman.
The event was organised as part of Joanne’s social action project to raise awareness of mental health and generate vital funds for local mental health services.
It was a fantastic evening, with a wonderful community atmosphere and strong support from a range of local businesses, many of whom generously donated their time, services and products to help make the event such a success.
Thanks to the generosity of everyone involved, the event raised over £700, which will go directly towards supporting East Kent Mind’s work across the local community.
East Kent Mind would like to thank Joanne Holden, all participating businesses, volunteers and everyone who attended for helping to make the evening so special.
If you are interested in becoming a Wellbeing Ambassador or would like to raise funds for East Kent Mind, please visit the East Kent Mind website to find out more.
Margate FC Community Trust
From 10-am-noon every Thursday at Hartsdown Park, home of Margate Football Club we host a club for people over 55
Free entry
Free tea and coffee
Free toast
Carers welcome
Activities include: Watching an iconic sporting moment on TV, chess, draughts, mindful activities, football, boccia, internet access. Got any ideas on other activities? Just let us know. You don’t have to join in with activities – just come for tea and toast!!
When we are more established we want to invite people on to do talks about digital inclusion (using technology to access information etc), scams and scammers, efficient energy use and more. Again if you have any ideas on other topics please let us know.
We are hoping for free pick up and drop off very soon. Please let us know if this is something you need and we can plan a route. Please email [email protected] initially.
Margate Sea Cadets
Margate Sea Cadets recently held its CO’s Division. An evening that gave cadets and staff the opportunity to showcase the dedication and commitment it takes to be part of a Sea Cadet Unit, and to demonstrate just what our cadets get up to during their time with us.
We would like to extend a huge thank you to all the parents who came along to show their support, as well as to our VIP guests; Deputy Lt Mr Clive Stevens DL representing the Lord-Lieutenant of Kent, Kent County Councillor Cllr. Jamie Henderson, Mayor of Margate Cllr. Katie Pope, Deputy Mayor of Margate Cllr. Leo Britcher, as well as Unit President Lt Cdr (SCC) Kevin Martin RNR (Rtd), Vice- Presidents Mac Wilkinson and Michael Bon.
The evening began with a Colours ceremony and dress inspection, followed by refreshments and cakes, lovingly prepared by our volunteers. This gave everyone the chance to mingle, ask questions, and take a tour around the unit.
While our visitors were happily distracted by cake, the cadets quickly changed in preparation for the next part of the evening, an impressive PT demonstration.
Our guests then enjoyed a fantastic PT display led by PTI Cadet Green, who also delivered an informative introduction on the history of Naval PT and the iconic Hornpipe dance. After the cadets performed the Hornpipe, visitors were so enthusiastic that they asked for the music to be replayed so they could join in themselves. It was a brilliant moment, with everyone getting involved and thoroughly enjoying the experience.
Thank you once again to all our visitors for their continued support and a massive BZ to all the cadets who worked hard to deliver such an engaging and memorable evening.
Wilderness to Wonderland
Inspired by the schools’ project and the community gardens flourishing around town Thanet Business Network have approached us with an offer of sponsorship.
Turnstone Mews has also given a generous donation to help us care for Westbrook Beach Approaches.
Find our fundraiser at: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/W2W
Pilgrims Hospices Lottery
Pilgrims Hospices Lottery is marking 30 years of supporting local hospice care with the launch of a simple new way to join in the fun, tickets are now available to buy in all Pilgrims Hospices shops across east Kent.
At just £1 per entry, the weekly lottery offers players the chance to win up to £20,000, while helping to fund vital hospice care for patients and families across the region.
Lottery Manager Shiralee Riddell said the milestone is a chance to reflect on how far both the Lottery and hospice care have come since 1996.
“When the lottery began, our therapy centres supported around 200 patients. Today, that number has grown, we support thousands of patients, carers and their loved ones each year,” she said.
Over the past three decades, Pilgrims Hospices has expanded its services significantly, including the opening of its Ashford hospice in 2001, the launch of Hospice at Home in 2009, and the Education and Training Centre, the Ann Robertson Centre, in 2013.
Behind the scenes, the Lottery has also evolved, introducing festive Superdraws, scratch cards, wedding favours and gift vouchers, as well as direct debit payments to make joining easier.
Now, in its 30th year, supporters can also buy weekly entries in Pilgrims shops, making it even more accessible for local people to get involved.
The Lottery currently receives around 21,500 weekly entries, helping to raise over £1.2 million each year towards end-of-life care across in-patient units, community services, and hospice at home support.
As part of the celebrations, Pilgrims has welcomed new supporters across east Kent, and its much-loved promotional car, “Lotty,” continues to tour the area raising awareness.
“If you see Lotty out and about, do give her a wave,” added Shiralee.
To join the Pilgrims Hospices Lottery, call 01227 379741 or visit pilgrimshospices.org/lottery
Friends of Stone Bay street collection
Permit number: LN/202600124
Name of permit holder: Amanda Hughes
Area of collection: Broadstairs Bandstand – Rock Choir Event
Charity/Fund benefiting: Friends Of Stone Bay School Voluntary Fund
Date of collection: 26 April 2026
Total amount collected: £462.89
Expenses/payments incurred: £193.00
Ramsgate Town Council
Following the Annual Statutory Town Council Meeting on the 6th May 2026, I am pleased to inform you that Councillor Raushan Ara, was elected as Mayor of Ramsgate for 2026–27, Councillor Jane Hetherington was elected as Deputy Mayor.
Councillor Stephen Albon was re-elected Chair of Ramsgate Town Council and Councillor Anne-Marie Nixey was re-elected Vice-Chair.
The Chairs and Vice-Chairs of Committee are as follows:
Councillor Anne-Marie Nixey – Chair of Asset Management Committee
Councillor Stephen Albon – Vice-Chair of Asset Management Committee
Councillor David Green – Chair of Finance & General Purposes Committee
Councillor Jane Hetherington – Vice-Chair of Finance & General Purposes Committee
Councillor Pat Makinson – Chair of Planning & Infrastructure Committee
Councillor Stephen Albon- Vice-Chair of Planning & Infrastructure Committee
Councillor Helen Crittenden – Chair of Town Promotion Committee
Councillor Corinna Huxley – Vice-Chair of Town Promotion Committee
Orbit housing
Residents gathered by the seafront in Margate recently for a sunset reading event hosted by local affordable housing provider Orbit as part of the National Year of Reading.
The event, held in celebration of World Book Night, brought together local residents, Orbit colleagues and the Town Mayor of Margate for an evening of shared reading in the distinctive coastal setting. It marked one of a series of pop-up activities being delivered by Orbit’s Kent team to support improved literacy and access to books across local communities.
As a key supporter of the “Go All In” campaign for the National Year of Reading, led by the National Literacy Trust, not-for-profit housing provider Orbit recently received a donation of books, which are being distributed to residents and the wider community through events such as this.
With many Orbit customers living in Thanet, the event aimed to provide an inclusive and accessible opportunity to celebrate and encourage reading in a relaxed community setting.
The reading took place in a sheltered spot along Margate seafront believed to be where poet T.S. Eliot worked on his landmark 1922 modernist poem The Waste Land during his stay in the town.
Hayley O’Shea, Place, Investment and Partnership Lead for Orbit said: “Improving literacy is a key part of tackling inequality and supporting wellbeing. By breaking down barriers to reading, we can help people feel included, build confidence and open up opportunities. Events like this allow us to bring people together, celebrate literature and support our communities to access books and all the benefits that come with enjoying reading.”
Cllr Katie Pope, Town Mayor of Margate, added: “It was great to open up this event to Orbit residents, bringing people together from across Thanet with the option to sit and read or have a chat with friends (new and old!) and neighbours.”
Churchill Living
Retirement developer Churchill Living is inviting Westwood Cross locals to attend a Rental Open Day at Invicta Lodge on Friday 22nd May, to learn more about the new rental options available.
Taking place between 11am and 3pm, the event will give prospective renters, their families and members of the local community the opportunity to tour the development, view the Show Complex and find out more about the lifestyle on offer which has been thoughtfully designed for the over 60s.
Guests will be welcomed with a glass of sparkling wine and light refreshments before being able to explore the development with the Churchill Living team. The event has been designed to provide a first-hand look at the apartments and the community on offer, as well as an opportunity to ask questions about renting or purchasing within the development.
To find out more about Invicta Lodge visit the website at https://www.churchill-living.co.uk/retirement-apartments-for-sale/kent/invicta-lodge/ or call 01843 498204.
