Chartwell House
Chartwell House by Boutique Care Homes, in Broadstairs, Kent, welcomed 11 learners from CXK’s Explore Health and Social Care Programme for a Dementia Friends awareness session, giving them a first taste of what a career in care could look like.
The learners are taking part in CXK’s four-week programme, based at Millmead Community Centre, for people considering a career in health and social care but unsure where to start. It introduces the sector, explores different roles and the core values of care, and supports learners with CVs, job applications and interviews.
Admissions Manager Jaye Hurst led the session, guiding the group through how dementia can affect people differently and what that means in practice for the people living with it. By the end of the afternoon, all 11 learners had become Dementia Friends, part of the Alzheimer’s Society’s UK-wide programme to build public understanding of the condition.
“It’s a real privilege to be able to run Dementia Friends sessions in East Kent, and this session with CXK was no exception,” said Jaye. “In addition to the Dementia Friends awareness session, the afternoon gave us an opportunity to share our knowledge and experience with people who are considering a career in health and social care. As an award-winning residential and dementia care provider, we have a wealth of experience that we can share, not only around dementia, but also what it truly means to work in care and make a difference to people’s lives.
“For me, these sessions are an opportunity to give the next generation of care professionals an honest insight into the sector, answer their questions and help them understand the rewarding career opportunities available to them. Seeing 11 learners become Dementia Friends was wonderful, and I hope they take that knowledge and enthusiasm forward with them as they begin their careers.”
With the formal session complete, Jaye stayed on to answer the group’s questions about working in health and social care, offering practical advice on the sector and what the day-to-day reality of the job involves. She also spoke about Boutique Care Homes’ own approach to recruitment: while the company invests heavily in training and development, it’s the values a candidate brings to the role that matter most in delivering the best possible service to residents and the wider community.
The learners’ response was warm. Several described the session as “very fun and engaging” and “interesting and informative,” with one saying the visit had helped them understand dementia “in a different way.” Another learner, reflecting on the home itself, remarked on how well cared for the residents seemed and how beautiful the surroundings were.
The impact was still being felt the next day. CXK’s Engagement and Employability Assistant, Carolyn Sellman, followed up with the group and found the session had left a lasting impression.
“The Dementia Friends talk was incredibly insightful; I had a chat with the group this morning and they definitely gained a great deal from it,” she said. “They appreciated the explanation of the bookshelves, memories, and feelings, saying that it helped them develop a better understanding of just how dementia can affect a person. Your session really has helped to deepen this groups’ understanding of dementia and some of the challenges with caring for people with it.”
Dementia Friends’ reach goes well beyond the care sector: the more people in a community who understand the condition, the better that community can support those living with it. With the door open to future sessions, Chartwell House and CXK look set to keep that work going.
Invicta Lodge
Residents at Churchill Living’s Invicta Lodge development in Westwood Cross raised an impressive £436 for Macmillan Cancer Support with a morning of coffee, cake and friendly company on Friday 18th September.
The event was part of the charity’s annual Coffee Morning campaign, with visitors treated to coffee, delicious cakes and biscuits in the comfy Communal Lounge. Churchill also donated £5 to Macmillan for every visitor who attended, helping to boost the total raised for this fantastic cause.
Churchill Living has a special relationship with Macmillan Cancer Support and has been supporting its Coffee Morning campaign since 2009, including through its own charity the Churchill Foundation. This year Churchill’s big target is to pass the £1,000,000 milestone in total cash raised for Macmillan to date.
Churchill’s Senior Divisional Marketing Manager Caroline Haswell said: “It was wonderful to welcome so many people to our developments once again to support our Macmillan Coffee Mornings. These events are not only a fantastic way to raise money for a very worthwhile cause, but also an opportunity to get the local community together and show people what life with Churchill is all about.
“Our developments are for those who want to maintain their independence, but with a strong sense of community and security around them, and this event was an ideal opportunity to demonstrate that. We’d like to say a big thank to everyone who took part and gave so generously to help make it such a success!”
East Kent Football Club
Development centre and girls’ talent pathway
Foundation U8-U11 and pathway U10-U14
Player development, skills, tactical and physical training, 3G winter training
Mondays 5pm-6pm, Northdown Sports Pavilion
Session £5
East Kent is looking for passionate, enthusiastic U9 girls to play football. We’re wanting to enter the league during Dec for Jan 2027, all abilities/ positions welcome. 3G winter training, bespoke kit. Registrations now open. Call 07566220987
Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Council
Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Council has announced a pair of specialised youth self-defence workshops to mark World Mental Health Day on 10th October 2026. Hosted at the historic Pierremont Hall, the event aims to empower local youth, build personal confidence, and foster community safety.
The initiative features two distinct afternoon sessions tailored for young people aged 11 and upwards. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by different demographics, the council has structured the day into a Women’s Safety Workshop and a male-focused Personal Security Workshop.
Event Schedule & Highlights:
Session 1: Women’s Safety Workshop (Arrival from 11:30 AM | Workshop: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM)
Designed to promote safety awareness, build confidence, and empower young women. Tickets include an arrival mocktail and a treat.
Ticket Link: https://buy.stripe.com/6oU8wOeOj9e93pF4Bq8Ra0x
Session 2: Personal Security Workshop (Arrival from 2:30 PM | Workshop: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
Focused on situational awareness, personal security, and empowerment for young men. Tickets include a welcoming arrival drink and a treat.
Tickets Link: https://buy.stripe.com/14A28q49F1LHd0f4Bq8Ra0y
“World Mental Health Day is an ideal opportunity to address not just emotional wellbeing, but the physical confidence and peace of mind that comes with personal safety,” said Cllr Mike Garner from Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Council. “These workshops are designed to give our local youth practical tools to feel secure, empowered, and supported by their community.”
Ticketing and Safety Information: Tickets are priced at £5 per person (non-refundable) and include refreshments on arrival. Due to safety regulations and the nature of the training, all attending under-18s must be accompanied by an adult. Spaces are strictly limited, and advance booking is highly recommended. If adults would like to take part, they will too need to purchase a ticket.
Members of the public can secure their places or find out more by contacting the council’s events team directly:
Location: Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Council, Pierremont Hall, Broadstairs, Kent
Phone: 01843 263609
Email: [email protected]
Broadstairs Victorians
The next Broadstairs Victorians meeting is at 2.30pm on Thursday 1st October in the small hall of the Joyce Smith building, Crampton Tower.
This month’s speakers will be the always entertaining Ian and Val Carter Chapman with Hassocks and Haystacks, featuring a cow in a tree and smugglers in the high street.
Refreshments £1 and raffle £1 per strip will be available.
Inspirations Writers Group
Inspirations Writers Group is over the moon, or should that be rainbow, to announce their penultimate book in the Rainbow series.
Like its predecessors, Violet is an anthology of colour-inspired narratives. From memoires, to short stories and poems, there is something for everyone. Animal lovers, culture admirers, history tellers across many genres.
Violet’s launch is on Saturday 31st October.
Starting where else but, Violet’s Tearooms, St Lawrence Ramsgate from 11am to 1pm
Then over to Westgate Galleria, Station Road, Westgate from 2pm to 4pm.
Come along, purchase a signed copy, and the chance to have a second anthology absolutely free.
Social Enterprise Kent
Organisations from across Kent and Medway are being invited to come together to explore how social value, partnership and innovation can help build stronger communities and local economies.
Social Enterprise Kent (SEK) will host its annual Social Enterprise Conference – Social Value in Action 2026: Building Stronger Places Through Partnership, Innovation and Impact on Thursday 5th November at Aylesham Community Trust, near Canterbury.
The conference will bring together people from local government, health, business, social enterprise and the wider voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector to explore how organisations can work differently and collaboratively to create greater social impact.
At a time when communities are facing increasing pressures and organisations are being challenged to achieve more with limited resources, the event will focus on moving social value beyond policy and procurement conversations and into practical action.
National speakers from The King’s Fund, Better Society Capital and Plinth will join sector leaders and community voices to share ideas, experience and different perspectives on some of the biggest opportunities and challenges facing our communities.
Together, delegates will explore place-based working and stronger partnerships; funding, investment and sustainable social impact; demonstrating social value and impact; and the opportunities presented by innovation, technology and AI.
The programme will combine national insight, panel discussions and practical conversations, giving delegates the opportunity to hear different perspectives, make new connections and share learning across sectors.
Social Enterprise Kent said: “Social value is about making sure the decisions we make, the money we spend and the partnerships we build create real and lasting benefits for our communities.
“There is a wealth of knowledge, experience and great work happening across Kent and Medway, but we know we can achieve even more by working together. This conference is about bringing different sectors together to share ideas and good practice, build new connections and explore how collaboration, investment and innovation can create meaningful change for our communities.”
The conference takes place at Aylesham Community Trust, Ackholt Road, Aylesham, CT3 3AJ, on Thursday 5th November 2026, from 9am to 4pm.
Tickets are £10 for the full-day conference, including refreshments, lunch and conference materials. Places are limited and early booking is recommended.
Book your place: https://book.plinth.org.uk/e/99smVI8ghQnhczfiigYa
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