The New Year is looking significantly brighter—and warmer—for several local hubs in Chatham and Folkestone. Thanks to a generous wave of funding from Southern Water, fourteen community centres across the region are celebrating a share of a £30,000 grant pot, ensuring these vital lifelines can keep their doors open and their kettles boiling all winter long.
For many, these centres are the “living rooms” of the community. In a direct effort to ease the bite of winter energy costs, Southern Water has awarded grants of over £2,000 each to seven standout locations in Kent. By covering essential operational costs, the funding allows staff and volunteers to focus on what they do best: supporting people.
“Community centres play a vital role in local life, offering both practical and emotional support,” says Alex Willumsen, Southern Water’s Community Partnerships & Programmes Manager. “We’re really pleased to lessen the pressures they face… helping 14 hubs to keep their buildings warm and welcoming for local people.”
More Than Just Four Walls
The impact of this “cash injection” is perhaps most visible at Kent’s Rainbow Centre in Folkestone. Known for providing emergency food and housing advocacy, the grant is being transformed into immediate, tangible comfort for those in crisis
Theresa Fowler, Office Manager at the Rainbow Centre, explains that the funds do more than just pay bills—they provide dignity:
- Hot Showers: Essential hygiene for those in need.
- Warm Meals: Hot breakfasts and refreshments to start the day right.
- Laundry Services: Access to washing and drying facilities.
- A Physical Welcome: A heated space to escape the winter chill.
The “Golden Seven”: Kent’s Grant Recipients
The following centres are the local heroes receiving a £2,000 boost to continue their incredible work:
| Location | Community Hub |
| Chatham | Chatham Maritime Trust |
| Chatham | Sun Pier House CIC |
| Chatham | All Saints Community Project |
| Chatham | The Net Community Hub |
| Folkestone | Folkestone Nepalese Community |
| Folkestone | Age UK South Kent Coast |
| Folkestone | Sunflower House |
Now in its fourth year, the Southern Water Community Centre Grant programme continues to target the areas where support makes the biggest difference, ensuring that no one in Kent has to face the winter alone.
To learn more about how these grants are powering your neighborhood, visit the Southern Water Community Hub.