West Kent’s youth services are celebrating this week after the award of not one but two generous grants towards providing their vital work in the community.
HOUSE, our youth club in Edenbridge, was awarded a grant of £25,136 from the Youth Centre Recovery Fund from the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust.
The Fund was designed to help youth centres survive and recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, in order that they may continue to deliver vital work for young people.
Julia and Hans Rausing commented: “The last year has been incredibly difficult for young people, whose education and social lives have been severely interrupted by the pandemic. Youth Centres play a vital role in providing young people with educational, leisure and social opportunities.
“We are delighted to be supporting charities across the country that can make a real difference in their local communities and have a positive impact on young people’s life chances.”
A further grant of £10,000 has been awarded to Young Adventurers by the Garfield Weston Foundation. Young Adventurers provides a low cost recreational and educational activity for children and encourages team work, communication skills, self-confidence and friendship. Activities are currently run in Swanley, Sevenoaks, Edenbridge, New Ash Green, Dunton Green, Westerham and West Kingsdown.
The Garfield Weston Foundation is a family-founded, charitable grant-making foundation, which supports a wide range of causes across the UK, donating over £80 million annually. It was established in 1958 by the Weston family and is one of the largest and most respected charitable institutions in the UK which has donated over £1 billion in total. The Trustees are descendants of the founder and the Weston family continues to take a highly active and hands-on approach.
Communities Director Heather Brightwell comments: “We are over the moon to receive these generous grants. We know how valued our work with young people in our communities is and this vital funding will help to ensure that we can continue to enrich the lives of young people.”
Tracy Allison, Chief Executive adds: “West Kent prides itself on not just being a landlord and we know that the work we do with young people equips them with the skills that will ensure that they flourish. We’re pleased that this important work has been recognised and are grateful for these generous grants in support of our ongoing work.”