11th May 2026

Teynham Group

A fantastic turnout today at Teynham for our informative Cancer Awareness and Screening session. Thank you to Jim and Will from MVA for delivering such an engaging and helpful talk, sharing important information and answering questions from the group.

It was wonderful to see so many people coming together, enjoying a chat over a cuppa and supporting one another in such a warm and friendly atmosphere. These sessions are so valuable in helping people stay informed, connected and encouraged to look after their health and wellbeing.

Thank you to everyone who came along and made the morning another great success.

7th May 2026

Sittingbourne Group

A huge thank you to the amazing staff and volunteers at Heather House Community for making our very first meeting at the new venue such a warm and welcoming one.

We were delighted to have a full house, along with two new members joining us for the morning.

It was also great to welcome back Medway Voluntary Action representatives Jim and Taiwo, who delivered another informative and engaging talk on cancer awareness and screening, helping to raise awareness in a supportive and very approachable way. Thanks to Asda Community Champion Claire for her additional advice and input.

Alongside the talk, everyone enjoyed our fun quiz, plenty of friendly conversation and our raffle, making it a fantastic morning all round. It’s wonderful to see new friendships forming and our community continuing to grow. Thanks to everyone that came along and made it such an amazing morning!

6th May 2026

6th May 2026

27th April 2026

New Friendly Faces Group!

We’re really excited to announce the launch of our 5th Friendly Faces of Kent group

Joining our growing community alongside Sheerness, Sittingbourne, Teynham and Friendly Fellas, this new group brings even more opportunities for people to connect, make friends and feel part of something welcoming and supportive.

Starting Tuesday 5th May

10am – 12pm

Thistle Hill Community Centre

4 Laurel Rd, Minster on Sea, Sheerness ME12 3FG

The group will run on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month, offering a relaxed and friendly space where you can enjoy a chat, meet new people, and take a break from the day-to-day routine.

Whether you’re looking to make new connections, reduce isolation, or simply enjoy a cuppa and some good company, you’ll always find a warm welcome.

This group is open to Minster residents and anyone new to Friendly Faces of Kent – so if you’ve been thinking about coming along, now’s the perfect time!

No need to book – just turn up. And if you know someone who might benefit, feel free to bring them along too

We can’t wait to welcome you!

22nd April 2026

Sheerness After Dark

Our final After Dark event of the year in Sheerness was a fantastic way to round things off on a real high. It was great to see such a good turnout, with everyone coming together to enjoy a relaxed and friendly evening.

We were treated to a wonderful freshly prepared buffet from the Infinity kitchen team, which went down an absolute treat and kept everyone well fuelled for the night ahead. Alongside the food, we had a couple of quizzes to keep everyone entertained – one exploring all things nocturnal, which sparked plenty of laughs and a bit of healthy competition, and another testing local knowledge of the Island, which certainly got people thinking and sharing stories.

As always, the real highlight of the evening was the company. The room was full of conversation, laughter and that welcoming atmosphere that makes these events so special. It’s great to see friendships continuing to grow and new connections being made at each get-together.

A big thank you to everyone who came along and helped make it such an enjoyable evening, and to the team for all their hard work behind the scenes. A perfect way to end our After Dark events for the year—we’re already looking forward to the next ones!

15th April 2026

We had another great turnout this week, with 14 in attendance, including a warm welcome to Ray who joined us for the first time. It’s always brilliant to see new faces coming along and quickly feeling part of the group.

The evening was full of conversation, laughter and plenty of the usual friendly banter. What really stands out each week is the genuine connection between the guys. The way everyone interacts, supports one another and creates such a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere is something really special.

These sessions play a vital role in supporting mental wellbeing. Having a regular space where people can come together, talk openly, and simply be themselves helps to break down feelings of isolation that many can experience. Whether it’s sharing personal experiences, chatting about everyday life, or just enjoying a cuppa in good company, it all contributes to improving mood, building confidence, and strengthening a sense of belonging.

It’s also important to recognise that not every conversation has to be serious to have a positive impact. Laughter, light-hearted moments and social connection are just as powerful when it comes to boosting mental health and lifting spirits.

We’re proud to provide a safe, supportive environment where everyone feels heard, valued and included, and it’s great to see the positive difference it continues to make week after week.

13th April 2026

Our Friendly Faces of Kent Sittingbourne group enjoyed another fantastic “After Dark” evening, this time at Wetherspoons. It was a really lively night filled with plenty of laughter, chat, and a great atmosphere from start to finish.

Everyone enjoyed some good food and drinks, but as always, it was the company that made the evening so special. These social evenings give everyone a chance to relax, connect, and build friendships outside of the usual daytime sessions, and it’s clear how much they mean to those who attend.

It was lovely to see the group coming together, sharing stories, and simply enjoying each other’s company in such a warm and welcoming environment. Nights like these really highlight what Friendly Faces of Kent is all about—bringing people together and creating moments that matter.

10th April 2026

A huge thank you to Sunita and her wonderful team from Out to the Woods CIC for delivering such a relaxing, creative, and uplifting session at Milton Creek Country Park. The day began with a gentle, leisurely walk, giving everyone the chance to slow down and really take in the sights and sounds of the countryside—fresh air, birdsong, and the beauty of nature all around us.

After gathering inspiration along the way, including flowers and leaves, the group returned to enjoy a hands-on creative activity. Everyone had the opportunity to design and create their own framed oil painting, using the natural materials they had collected. It was amazing to see how each piece turned out so unique and personal, reflecting the creativity and imagination of each participant.

The session was rounded off perfectly with a lovely lunch, giving everyone time to chat, relax, and share their creations. It was a truly enjoyable experience from start to finish—calming, creative, and a great way to connect with both nature and each other. Safe to say, it was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended!

9th April 2026

A big thank you to the lovely staff atCrispins Fish Bar Teynhamfor hosting our Teynham After Dark evening. As always, the team made us feel so welcome and looked after us brilliantly from start to finish.

The food was absolutely wonderful, enjoyed by everyone, and it was the perfect setting for a relaxed evening filled with laughter, conversation, and great company. It’s always special to see everyone coming together and enjoying time out in such a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Our free raffle was a lovely extra touch and added to the fun of the evening, with plenty of smiles all round. A fantastic night had by all—thank you again for making it such a memorable one!

27th March 2026

Here’s the latest update from our Friendly Fellas men’s wellbeing group, where supporting positive men’s mental health is always at the heart of what we do.

On Wednesday, we welcomed 12 men to our regular meet-up at the Lighthouse Café. The evening was filled with relaxed conversation, laughter, and the kind of open, supportive environment that really helps break down barriers around men’s mental health. From shared interests like trains to more personal discussions around health and wellbeing, it was great to see everyone feeling comfortable enough to chat, listen, and support one another.

On Thursday, the group enjoyed an “After Dark” meal at the Arizona Restaurant in Sheerness, kindly supported by Friendly Faces of Kent and its sponsors. The evening offered another valuable opportunity for connection, reminding us all how important social interaction and a sense of belonging are for maintaining good mental health. The food was great, but it was the company that really made the night special.

Creating spaces like this, where men can come together, talk openly, and feel supported, continues to make a real difference.

25th March 2026

A big thank‑you to Carers Stepping out for leading a Walk & Talk for our members at Samphire Hoe. It was a wonderfully blustery day by all accounts, but that didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits. The group enjoyed fresh sea air, good company, and the chance to connect while taking in the dramatic coastal views. We’re so grateful to Sue and her team for creating such a welcoming space for conversation and companionship.

6th March 2026

Fancy Tat

Claire and Janet from Fancy Tat joined us to lead a lovely creative session, and what a great morning it turned out to be. Eight of our talented crafters took part, each creating their own beautiful trinket dishes and coasters using decoupage on air-dry clay.

Everyone had the chance to choose from a variety of colourful patterned papers, flowers, and butterfly designs to decorate their pieces. Once the clay had been shaped into small dishes and coasters, the decoupage technique was used to carefully apply the designs, giving each item a unique and personal touch.

There was plenty of creativity on display, along with lots of chat, laughter and encouragement as people shared ideas and admired each other’s work. By the end of the session we had a lovely collection of finished pieces – perfect for holding jewellery, keys, or simply as decorative coasters at home.

A big thank you to Claire and Janet from FancyTat for guiding everyone through the process and making the activity so enjoyable. Craft sessions like this are always a wonderful way to relax, learn something new, and spend time together.

5th March 2026

Sittingbourne Group Meeting

Our Friendly Faces Sittingbourne group met this week for our final gathering at Swale CVS, as from next month we will be moving to our new venue at Heather House. While we are grateful to Swale CVS for hosting us, everyone is looking forward to the new chapter and continuing our friendly get-togethers in our new home.

It was lovely to welcome Claire from Asda, who joined us for the session to chat with members about how they'd like to spend the grant kindly donated through the Asda Community Fund. The group had a great discussion about ideas for a summer outing that the funding could help support, and after plenty of suggestions and excitement, Windsor was chosen as the destination. Members are already looking forward to what promises to be a wonderful day out together.

Plans are also underway for our next After Dark social evening, which will be held at Wetherspoons next month. These evenings are always a great opportunity for members to relax, chat and enjoy some time together in a different setting.

To round off the meeting, everyone took part in a fun general knowledge quiz, which brought plenty of laughs, friendly competition and a lot of good-natured banter. As always, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming, with members enjoying each other’s company and leaving with smiles on their faces.

Another lovely morning full of friendship, laughter and connection.

2nd March 2026

Teynham Group Meeting

Our Teynham Friendly Faces group had another fantastic get-together this week, and it was wonderful to welcome some new members into the fold. There’s always something special about seeing new faces join us — it’s what Friendly Faces is all about.

The morning was full of laughter and friendly competition with our quizzes, followed by our ever-popular raffle which added a little extra excitement to the session.

With Easter just around the corner, creativity was flowing as members enjoyed making beautiful decoupage eggs. The craft table was busy, colourful and full of chatter — a lovely way to relax, connect and try something new together.

We also took time to get organised for our upcoming After Dark event at Crispins, which everyone is really looking forward to. It’s shaping up to be a great evening of food, friendship and fun.

26th February 2026

Another fantastic Book Club session this month. Six members finished The Housemaid by Freida McFadden and it proved to be a real hit — scoring an impressive 58 out of 60. There was plenty of lively discussion, with everyone sharing what they enjoyed most about the story and its twists.

We treated ourselves to cake and coffee/tea while chatting, which made the conversation even more enjoyable. The group also took part in an escape-room style activity and a themed quiz based on the book, both of which sparked lots of laughs and teamwork.

To round things off, we played a game of book bingo, and the winner earned the honour of choosing our next read — a fun way to keep things fresh and engaging for everyone.

20th February 2026

Our Friendly Faces staff recently took part in some cancer awareness training, delivered by Ann fromNHS Kent and MedwayatRushenden Wellbeing Hub

The session was both informative and thought-provoking, giving our team a deeper understanding of cancer awareness, early signs and symptoms, screening programmes, and how to confidently have supportive conversations with members who may have concerns. It also provided valuable insight into local services and pathways, ensuring we are better equipped to guide people towards the right help and support when needed.

This training forms part of our preparation for launching a new and exciting service for our members. By investing in the knowledge and confidence of our staff and volunteers, we’re making sure that we can offer informed, compassionate, and practical support within our community.

We’re always looking at ways to grow, improve, and respond to the needs of our members — and this is another positive step forward for Friendly Faces.

Watch this space for more details coming soon!

6th February 2026

Fancy Tat

Our crafty ladies met up at the Rushenden Wellbeing Hubtoday with Fancy Tat for a wonderful, hands-on tutorial in the beautiful art of parchment craft on vellum.

This delicate and intricate craft involves embossing, perforating, and shading to create stunning lace-like designs. There was plenty of creativity and concentration, as everyone brought their designs to life, making it a truly inspiring and enjoyable session for all.

If you'd like to join in and get involved, the ladies meet up each month on the first Friday from 10am till noon.

6th February 2026

What a full sip and create we had last night! Lots of creative flare, fun and friendship. Vicki from Manor road art studiostutored a valentine themed resin class making heart keyrings and a beautiful necklaces. Everyones enjoyed making them unique and personal. We finished off with cake and very naughty marshmellow hot chocolates Thanks to our volunteers giving their evening to us, our lovely attendees and Vicki of course, we raised more than £150 for our Charity.

If you would like to join in the fun and create something beautiful whilst giving back to a local Charity keep an eye out for our Mothers Day Sip and Create coming soon.....

4th February 2026

Friendly Fellas

Well another great evening at the Friendly Fellas drop this week, with 20 guys attending including another new member welcomed to the group. Over a cuppa and refreshments, the evening was buzzing with anticipation of the year ahead, great conversation about all aspects of life with so much positivity oozing from the group. It's such a pleasure to be part of, and witness, the growth of individuals within the group, and watch them share their stories and experiences together.

5th February 2026

Sittingbourne Group

Our Sittingbourne group enjoyed a Valentines-themed meet-up filled with chat, laughter, and a little sweetness, with free roses and chocolates for everyone. We were also delighted to welcome a new member to the group

4th February 2026

Sheerness Group Meeting

Our Valentine’s-themed Sheerness meeting was a lovely get-together, filled with laughter and a sense of togetherness. The room was soon buzzing as everyone arrived, enjoyed a cuppa, and spending time catching up with friends.

Each member received a silk rose and a little chocolate as a small token to celebrate friendship and kindness. We also enjoyed a selection of Valentine-themed quizzes, which brought plenty of smiles and laughter, followed by our much-loved raffle.

Moments like these remind us just how important it is to connect, share time together and feel part of a supportive community.

2nd February 2026

Teynham Group Meeting

Our Valentine’s-themed Teynham meeting was a truly lovely morning, full of laughter, conversation and togetherness. The hall was buzzing as members settled in with a cuppa, catching up with friends old and new and enjoying the welcoming atmosphere that Friendly Faces is all about.

Everyone received a silk rose and a little chocolate, a small gesture to celebrate friendship and kindness. We enjoyed a selection of Valentine-themed quizzes that sparked plenty of laughs and teamwork, followed by our ever-popular raffle.

A big thank you to Paul for playing music throughout the session, which really helped set the tone and added to the relaxed, feel-good vibe of the day. Moments like these remind us just how important it is to connect, share time together and feel part of a community.

Thank you to everyone who came along and helped make it such a special Valentine’s gathering .

1st February 2026

Our lovely CEO Lesley Nowellhas recently been put forward for a nomination in recognition of her fantastic work with Friendly Faces of Kent and Age UK. This is not only a huge honour for her personally, but also a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of both organisations — particularly with funders — and to open doors for networking and future funding opportunities.

23rd January 2026

22nd January 2026

Friendly Faces of Kent was proud to be part of the Seashells Children & Families Centre Warm Winter event this week. It was a pleasure to join other local charities in offering support, guidance, and resources to help keep homes warm, happy, and healthy throughout the colder months.

5th January 2026

Teynham Group

We had a lovely time at our Teynham meeting this morning, warmly welcoming 5 new members to the group.

Our session focused on the themes of gratitude and new beginnings, with everyone taking home a notebook to record their personal moments of gratitude as we move forward into 2026

We also enjoyed a fun quiz and raffle, adding a bit of excitement to a really uplifting get together and another positive and feel-good meeting

Although the Community Hall heating wasn’t working, a few trusty radiators and, more importantly, great company kept us warm!