As part of our 35 years of West Kent campaign we're highlighting different stories from our colleagues, residents, and communities, which make West Kent special.

  • 35 years of West Kent - Angela George's Journey of Resident Involvement

    Angela George, a dedicated resident board member, shares her inspiring journey of resident involvement with West Kent. Upon moving to Swanley, Angela observed areas for improvement and collaborated with fellow residents to voice their concerns and ideas.

    In this video, Angela reflects on how West Kent actively listened to and valued residents' input, implementing their suggestions in new developments. She expresses her pride and gratitude in being part of a community where residents' voices are heard, and their diverse contributions shape West Kent's services to better meet the community's needs.

  • 35 Years of West Kent - Kerry Elliman's 21-Year Journey: How West Kent’s Support Shaped Her Success

    Kerry Elliman’s 21-year career at West Kent exemplifies how investing in a diverse and supported workforce fosters a thriving, positive culture. As we celebrate our 35th year, we take pride in this commitment—a cornerstone of our success.

    In this video, Kerri reflects on her journey, detailing her professional development and how our dedication to a supportive culture aligns with our vision. Her story highlights the significant impact of our community and embodies the values that have driven West Kent throughout our 35-year history.

  • 35 years of West Kent – Diane’s Journey of Support and Compassion

    Continuing our theme on diversity, we hear from Diane, Income Manager at West Kent, who has worked at West Kent for 25 years.

    Diane shares her journey from starting as a support worker visiting residents’ homes to becoming a qualified counsellor, all while helping to manage services for vulnerable residents.

    Learn more about Diane’s journey in our video and how she contributes to West Kent’s mission of building strong, inclusive communities.

  • 35 years of West Kent – supporting young people across the Sevenoaks District

    Much has changed within our projects and services over the years, to make sure we're offering the best support for those who live in our homes and communities.  

    What hasn’t changed though, is our passion for supporting young people, so they have access to the tools and services they need to achieve their goals and make the right choices for their future.

    Funding for our youth projects comes directly from West Kent, Children in Need, and local parish and town councils – along with anonymous donations.

    Here are some of the achievements of our youth services team over the last 20 years:

    • 2004 - we started our ‘youth services’ work. We set up Young Adventurers (originally called the ‘8-12s project’), providing regular, low cost, locally based activities in a safe environment, and with an emphasis on behaviour and communication.
    • 2005 - we received funding for our Hartley Youth Shelter.
    • 2008 - we carried out one of our first youth surveys in Swanley, led by young people to find out more about what they needed in their local area.
    • 2013 - our HOUSE project in Edenbridge was set up, providing advice, support and guidance around a range of fun and engaging activities for young people to take part in.
    • 2016 - we began our young parents club, offering peer to peer support for parents in Edenbridge. 
    • 2017 - music festival ‘YouthFest’, was hosted by us in Edenbridge. This was attended by Harry Shotta, who performed and offered lyric writing sessions to attendees. 
    • 2018 - Cheryl Banks, leader in charge at our popular HOUSE project in Edenbridge won UK Youth’s prestigious ‘Youth Worker of the Year’ award. This was for her many years of hard work and dedication to young people in the Sevenoaks district. 
    • 2020 - our youth service officially went online, providing young people with support, social activities and guidance during the covid pandemic. 
    • 2021 - our youth services provision received £35k in funding to rebuild the project following the covid pandemic.
    • 2023 - we celebrated ten years of our HOUSE project in Edenbridge. A project aiming to provide low-cost recreational and educational activities for young people.

    Hear from our lead youth worker and former attendee of our youth forum, Ben, about why our youth services make such a big difference to our residents:

  • 35 Years of West Kent – our staff share their experiences of working at West Kent

    As part of our 35th anniversary celebrations, we asked staff at our summer all-staff event in July 2024 to share what it means to work at West Kent and what makes it special.

    Whether they’ve been with us for just a few years or several decades, their stories reflect a shared passion for supporting one another and delivering excellent service to our residents. No matter the role, each employee's experience contributes to the diverse and vibrant culture we’ve built over the last 35 years.

    Hear more about their experiences in this video.

  • 35 years of West Kent – Dawn’s role in improving employability opportunities

    As part of our 35 years of West Kent campaign, we’re excited to share the story of Dawn Grant, Employability Training Manager. Since joining us in 2019, Dawn has been a driving force behind empowering residents to find new employment and training opportunities, and her passion for breaking down barriers is a shining example of what makes West Kent so special.

    Dawn's journey at West Kent began with setting up a training hub and supporting young people facing mental health challenges. Her work spans across generations, from helping older residents rediscover their transferable skills to offering vital advice to those in work poverty. Dawn has also been instrumental in tackling digital exclusion by ensuring job seekers have access to essential technology like tablets and laptops.

    Watch Dawn’s story to find out more.

  • 35 years of West Kent – Montgomery Court’s decade of independence and community

    In celebration of 35 years of West Kent, we’re reflecting on the incredible impact our extra care schemes have had on residents and communities. One standout achievement is Montgomery Court, which marked its 10-year anniversary earlier this year.  

    Over the past decade, Montgomery Court has become much more than just a place to live - it's a vibrant community where residents thrive. 

    We are dedicated to ensuring schemes, like Montgomery Court, offer more than just a home but also a space for residents to live both independently and in community.

    Our housing provision has changed over the last 35 years, but our core values remain the same. We continue to create inclusive communities where people of all ages and backgrounds can flourish. 

    Watch the video below to hear from residents and staff talk about their experiences at Montgomery Court. 

    To learn more about 35 years of West Kent and Montgomery Court, please visit 35 Years of West Kent.