The Community Network is a welcoming home away from home for Cheriton residents. Established 15 years ago, they now host a range of events and activities for the local community, including a series of events celebrating Black History Month and a special Christmas Day buffet.

The Community Network: a dedicated Warm Space with coffee mornings, an art group and a larder

Now a dedicated Warm Space, the Network also hosts regular community coffee mornings from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Fridays, serving soups, cereals and bread rolls:

“We aim to give everything away for free but small donations are, of course, always welcome,” said Community Network Co-ordinator Rachael Stickells.

The Community Network art group will soon be creating ‘wellbeing boxes’ for rough sleepers, filled with things like hats, handwarmers, scarves, socks and pet food.

The team have also set up a ‘The People’s Larder’ – to reduce food wastage and help people during the cost-of-living crisis. People are invited to come and take what they need, or donate what they can.

Area Manager Senet Yohannes said:

We recently received grants from Folkestone and Channel Rotary, Folkestone Town Councillors and the John Bowley and Sherwood Almshouses Charity.

We want to say a big thank you to all of them for their generosity. We couldn’t do half the stuff we do without the support of these organisations and the council.

Rachael agreed:

It’s great that we’re being recognised for what we’ve been doing for the community during the cost-of-living crisis.

This money will help us to offer even more for people we support and local residents.

Giving back: the People’s Larder stocks food and hygiene products, free for those in need

The Donation Station: volunteering opportunities help build confidence for the work place

Our charity shop, The Donation Station, is also based in Cheriton. It offers volunteering opportunities for people looking to gain work experience in a retail environment.

Joe joined as a volunteer back in 2021. Having anxiety himself, he wanted to help others with mental health conditions so he started doing a few two-hour shifts here and there.

Over time, this gradually built up as Joe’s confidence increased. He began training people we support one-to-one, covering important things like customer service skills. Two years later, Joe felt so empowered by his volunteer work that he applied for paid employment and was offered a job at a local Halfords.

The Donation Station: helping the community to save money on clothes and reducing waste

Donation Station Co-ordinator Helen Lawrence said:

Joe has come on so well over the time that he has volunteered for us at The Community Donation Station and had become a valued member of the team.

We will miss him immensely but we wish him all the best. The door is always open for him.

Could you spare a couple of hours a week to volunteer with us?

We offer a variety of training so you can supplement your existing skills and learn new ones!

Please email Rachael.Stickells@unitedresponse.org.uk for opportunities at The Community Network or Helen.Lawrence@unitedresponse.org.uk to join our friendly Donation Station team.

(All volunteers are subject to a DBS check.)

The Community Network radio station and Singing for Health sessions

The Community Network also has its own dedicated radio station where people we support host weekly shows, dedicated to the things they’re most passionate about.

‘The Football Show with Graham and Mark’ is on Monday lunchtimes and Friday afternoons are for ‘Weekly Waffle’ – a chat show where people can discuss whatever’s on their mind.

DJ Karl, who plays 80s and 90s classics on a Tuesday morning, said:

I love introducing the tracks, and then listening to the tunes. I enjoy taking home the playlist to practice at home for next week’s show.

Big thanks to those who made this possible.

DJ Karl at the mic

As well as the radio station, Lead Senior Support Worker Mark Stone has also been running Singing for Health sessions. The group has members from all walks of life who get together on a Monday and sing to help improve their mental wellbeing.

Mark said:

Singing has so many benefits both mentally and physically. We encourage an inclusive singing session here at the Community Network, whatever your ability, everyone is welcome. If you can’t or you’d rather not sing, just come along and enjoy the company.

Rachael, Helen and the team are accepting donations for the Local Larder, wellbeing boxes and Donation Station at both sites.

For more information, including opening times and upcoming events, follow the Community Network Facebook page.

In the future, the Network also hopes to offer digital access courses and wellbeing workshops for the community and people we support. East Kent College has kindly donated six free laptops but the project still needs more financial support before the team can get it off the ground.

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