The Trustees started the idea and concept of a Charitable organisation in December 2022 before submitting our application for Charity Status in February 2023. After several months of working with the Charity commission we finally got formal confirmation on 7th June 2023. Our services have been running and growing since July 2023.

Swale in Kent has some of the highest levels of child, fuel and financial poverty in Kent. Regions such as Murston, Sheppey, Leysdown & Teynham have consistently been in the county and national top 10% for poverty since 2015. This is without the impact of the pandemic and current cost of living crisis. 10% of those living in Swale are also categorised with Fuel Poverty. With 152,000+ population in 2021 this means that 1,500+ are living with financial and fuel poverty. Of these 29000+ are over the age of 65 (20% population). Many of these over the age 65 live in the more rural areas of the borough and often have mobility or transport challenges.

You can only imagine what Aprils price rises in gas, electricity, water, council tax, phone, broadband and travel did for the household finances for many and the mental health for those responsible for making ends meet. That's before we know how benefit changes will look like or the outcome of the global trade tariffs. As if life wasn't challenging enough already.

We already have our Emergency Foodbank and Heather House Community Cafe campaigns live (feel free to take a look at their stories) - we like donors to have control over where their donations go and have transparency with these donations.

This campaign is to support our core Charity activities and new ideas. Supporting our team with equipment, PPE and training; advertising and licencing, along with funding for community engagement and workshop developments.