Supporting the lives of those experiencing the effects of isolation and loneliness
Registered Charity 1200790
What our Partners are saying about our services
With all the news and concern about fuel prices rising we were delighted to see that one of the recent Friendly Faces of Kent support groups focused on energy consumption. We know that many elderly people will not turn on their heating this winter which is why our Surviving Winter fundraising campaign is so important. Our annual campaign is designed to highlight the support that is available, prevent avoidable winter deaths, and raise money to support charitable organisations like Friendly Faces of Kent which work with older members of our community.”
Josephine McCartney
Chief Executive
Kent Community Foundation
Teynham Community Hub Teynham Parish Council, Friendly Faces of Kent, and volunteers from Kingsdown & Creekside have been working together to create Teynham Community Hub — a warm, safe and welcoming space, offering free hot drinks throughout the day and a warming soup at lunchtime. The current rise in the cost of living, in particular the cost of energy, has had a significant impact on many people.
The UK Government has taken a number of steps to provide support. At a local level, activities like this, provide additional assistance to our local communities. Teynham Community Hub — an initiative from the Parish Council — has only been possible due to the generous funding and support from a number of organisations and individuals. This includes funding and facilities from Swale Borough Council
Teynham Parish Council
Asda
Co op
Anonymous donations Support from volunteers from Friendly Faces
Kingsdown & Creekside.
In addition, generous donations from the Friendly Faces members at their Teynham, Sittingbourne and Sheerness Groups, on their Facebook Group and online, together with fund matching from the Coop will enable us to extend the run of sessions, by 3 weeks. A huge thank you to everyone involved and their generous support.
Paul Townson
Teynham Parish Council
Working with Lesley and Friendly Faces of Kent has been a transformative joy for Stepping Out with Carers CIC. It has allowed us to offer our walks to carers, those they care for and others facing huge challenges in their lives from Isle of Sheppey with fantastic results for everyone involved. The physical, mental, social benefits are obvious, the numbers keep growing, the feedback from carers is magnificent, the fun is tremendous and we regard Friendly Faces of Kent as one of our most treasured partners. Lesley herself is a dynamo, an utter force for good and a catalyst for the long-term improvement of many disadvantaged lives on the Isle of Sheppey.
Good luck
Sue Mott
CEO Stepping Out
Thank you so much for this detailed feed back from our recent project with you. It is lovely and shows how much of a difference you’re making. It was so nice that you allowed our residents to also become members of your Social Media group. I know they will welcome your continued support through all that you do. Thank you and your team for all your hard work and dedication and we look forward to working with you in the future.
Shona Matson
Project office – Health and Wellbeing
Optivo Social Impact
I worked with Lesley on a joint Walk and Talk Event with Friendly Faces of Kent and Stepping Out.
Lesley did a great job with helping to organise the walk on the Isle of Sheppey. This is the first time I have worked with Friendly Faces of Kent and Stepping Out and I must say I hope it will not be the last. I have been kept informed and included in the organisation of this project and I know some of our clients have signed up to Friendly Faces of Kent members and continue to receive support from them.
The work that Lesley is doing within her community is astonishing and the positive changes she has made to some very vulnerable adults has changed their lives and their perspective on themselves. I hope to see Lesley working with Friendly Faces of Kent for many more happy years, as I know what a massive difference her and her team make each week. Lesley also connected with one of my volunteers at the event and they built a great rapport and Lesley utilised my volunteer’s skills and offered her some work. My volunteer had extremely low self-esteem and didn’t think it would be possible to find a job. When Lesley offered her some sessional work, she was speechless and couldn’t believe that she had been considered. My volunteer’s confidence soured and couldn’t believe that she had been put in a position of trust, something that she hadn’t had for a long time. She said it felt great that somebody believed in her. This has helped her to seek further employment the sessional work gave her the confidence to do this.
Lauren Mousley
Project Manager Porchlight
A huge thank you for helping us to support our residents over the last few months. It has been great to work with you, your support workers and volunteers. Helping us to deliver essential food parcels and emergency PPE packs was such a help. As Steve says, ‘You are a super star!’ We would also like to thank you for inviting our local residents to join your group so that they can access your continued support and signpost to other organisations where needed.
We look forward to working with you in the future when groups can return to our hubs.
Jo
Moat Housing
