Hands & Gillingham Volunteer Centre
This Volunteer Centre operates across the Medway area of Kent and works in two ways: as a provider of volunteers for organisations who wish to use volunteers in their work; and also through direct service provision via the Hands scheme. This scheme offers a variety of services in the local community, using its own volunteers to assist elderly, disabled, isolated or otherwise disadvantaged people. It enables people to volunteer to help others, do something useful, and put something back into the community, and at the same time offering practical help with gardening or transport for example to others.
The Foundation’s grant of £2,500 pa for a two-year period began in October 2015. The funding is towards a community friendship and befriending scheme which is benefitting older people and people with mental health problems amongst others. Friendship groups run on a monthly basis in Twydall and Rainham and aim to reduce isolation and improve the quality of life of those attending.
